23 April - 17 May 2025

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Alanah Kent
Seriously Nonsense : A Self Exploration Arriving at Forty

Statement 

‘Seriously Nonsense : A Self Exploration Arriving at Forty’ reflects my journey through the joys and fears that come with approaching the age of forty, and the ongoing struggle to feel comfortable in my own skin. This body of work delves into the complexities of being queer, disabled, and non-binary, embracing the act of fully inhabiting my true self.

Through making the Diary Works, a growing series of small mixed media works - I aimed to create a visual diary exploring thoughts and emotions. Using bright pop colours and crafting supplies, I transformed small, personal moments - ranging from pure silliness to heartbreak- into shared experiences that invite connection with the viewer.

I reflected on the innocence of having childhood friendships with inanimate objects, the discomfort of not feeling at home in my own skin and trying to unravel personal inhibitions that have held me back in dealing with mental and physical health and presenting my full unfiltered self.

While ‘Seriously Nonsense’ is a deeply personal examination, the emotions and experiences it explores – vulnerability, identity, and self-acceptance - are shared to some degree by us all.

Artist Bio

Alanah Kent is a mixed media artist living in Kaurna/Adelaide. Their practice is greatly influenced by the bright colours and imagery of Pop Surrealism. Alanah endeavours to explore new joyful worlds and characters that are created through mixed media works that are embellished with craft materials such as glitter, rhinestones and other non-traditional materials. Using these materials to invoke the nostalgia of childhood crafting afternoons, Alanah is looking to recreate the fun of those times as they explore their self identity.

Alanah Kent received their Bachelors of Contemporary Art at UniSA in 2018, and Honours at Flinders University in 2023. Their final body of work ‘Inner Joy’ was displayed as part of the 2024 Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition, at the SASA gallery as well as the Hatched : National Graduate Show, at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts.