Johnny Romeo
SATELLITE SKY
Recent Paintings
Internationally acclaimed Australian Pop painter Johnny Romeo makes his exciting return to Byron Bay with Satellite Sky, a thrilling mini collection of recent paintings to be shown at celebrated Byron Bay gallery Thomgallery. Lovingly curated by Romeo and Thomgallery founder Alex Thom, Satellite Sky showcases a special release of six iconic paintings from Australia’s King of Pop that have been masterfully handpicked from recent collections. Brimming with Johnny Romeo’s signature blend of bold Kitsch Pop imagery, explosively vibrant Technicolour arrangements and ingenious culture jamming, Satellite Sky is a testament to the universal power of Pop culture as a gateway to inspiration, hope and, ultimately, transcendence.
For decades, the motif of the satellite has captured the imagination of everyone from space-cadet enthusiasts and tech-savvy futurists to cautionary minds warning against global surveillance. For Johnny Romeo, the title Satellite Sky is an optimistic statement on interconnectedness that explores the way in which satellites enable us as a global community to share in the joy and excitement of Pop culture. Inspired by Lou Reed’s ‘Satellite of Love’, off his iconic 1972 album ‘Transformer’, the works featured in the collection act as cosmic transmissions from the Kitsch Pop age, beaming larger-than-life images that lift us out of the hum drum banality of everyday existence and encourage us to embrace the infinite possibilities of life. This is reflected through Johnny Romeo’s ingenious blend of psychedelic mysticism, high octane rock’n’roll attitude and slick hip hop bravado, where transcendental, three-eyed cats, Star Wars-inspired galactic gurus and playfully undead rock legends remind us to break free from the shackles of the ordinary and reach for the stars. Throughout Satellite Sky, Romeo has skillfully crafted a neon-drenched alternate universe populated by space-age monks, rock’n’roll misfits and reformed sports stars who are all working towards a better, brighter future where they can embrace their authentic selves.
With his latest mini showcase of recent paintings, Johnny Romeo cleverly taps into the creative and communal essence of ‘Cavanbah’ that lies at the heart of both Thomgallery and Byron Bay. The term ‘Cavanbah’ is the original name given to Byron Bay by the Indigenous Arakwal people and means a ‘place of meeting’. Within the context of the show, each of the paintings cultivates a meeting of minds unified through Pop culture. Eclectic influences ranging from the exhilarating guitar squall of grunge rock and the irrepressible spirit of sporting greats are cleverly mashed together with the wide-eyed wonderment of sci-fi and the mind-altering mysticism of Eastern philosophy to create unique Kitsch Pop visions that speak to our collective desire for transcendence and self-improvement. In many ways, Johnny Romeobrings a distinctly Byron Bay flavour to Satellite Sky, celebrating the beloved town’s long history as a haven for sport enthusiasts, music lovers and adventurous souls interested in exploring alternative forms of spirituality.
Satellite Sky is a dynamic mini showcase that offers Byron Bay art enthusiasts an exclusive insight into the mind of Australia’s leading Pop painter. With their eyes firmly set to the cosmos, Johnny Romeo and Thomgallery have delivered a shimmering slice of Kitch Pop brilliance that is sure to beam you out of your ordinary orbit into a cosmic wonderland where satellites shine the way towards a brighter, Poptimistic future.
Opening reception with Artist: Friday 13th September, 2024 @ 5:00 – 8:00pm.
Thom Gallery, 6 Fern Pl, Byron Bay, NSW 2481, Australia. Ph: +61 (0)411 813 999.
Any inquiries regarding Johnny Romeo’s SATELLITE SKY can be made directly through Thom Gallery (hello@thomgallery.com.au) or by calling the gallery on +61 (0)411 813 999.
Exhibition Dates: 13th September – 27th September, 2024.
September 5, 2024