Image above: Sair Bean, Hula Hoop (detail), 2024, synthetic polymer and string on canvas, 94 x 63 cm. Image courtesy the artist.
Ripple Effect
Sair Bean
28 June – 25 September 2024
Sair Bean is a cross-disciplinary artist based in Kaurna Land / Adelaide. Born in South Africa and immigrating to Australia at age seven, Sair’s life experiences are interlaced with depictions of dislocation, within the search for connectivity and belonging.
Sair’s experimental approach often begins with a call and response from relevant community members. She is passionate about listening and responding visually to peoples lived experiences in places. Her art reflects the true voices and spirit of place with a fantastical, playful and bold illustrative style. Through connection, collaboration and kinship, Sair enjoys pulling back the layers of societal conditioning to create art that is optimistic, empathetic and curious about culture, history and identity.
Ripple Effect delved into health contexts by exploring how states of mind, whether favourable, sorrowful, or impartial can impact not only individuals but a culture in society. Through this exploration, Sair reminded us of the power of kindness, compassion and humour, illustrating how these virtues can ripple outward, affecting countless others. Using surplus paint from the Palliative Care family room mural, Sair Bean created an abstracted series that strives to spark a smile, optimism, inquisitiveness and interconnectedness of our emotional landscapes.
Sair completed her Bachelor of Visual Arts at the University of South Australia (2008), in which she was granted the Graduate Drawing Award. She has exhibited in numerous group exhibitions across South Australia and held her first solo exhibition in 2018, second in 2019 and more recently, two separate solo exhibitions for SALA 2022 and 2023. She has been active in street art since 2016 and has become known for her murals across Adelaide suburbs, including Little Rundle Street (Kent Town), Goodwood Road (Wayville) and Castle Plaza (Edwardstown).
This exhibition was part of SALA Festival
Sair Bean, 'Window to Another Dimension' (detail), 2024, 94 x 63 cm. Image courtesy the artist.
Sair Bean, 'Ripple Effect' (detail), 2024, 104 x78 cm. Image courtesy the artist.
Sair Bean, 'That’s Nice' (detail), 2024, 94 x 63 cm. Image courtesy the artist.
Sair Bean, 'Window to Another Dimension' (detail), 2024, 94 x 63 cm. Image courtesy the artist.
Sair Bean, 'Ripple Effect' (detail), 2024, 104 x78 cm. Image courtesy the artist.
Sair Bean, 'That’s Nice' (detail), 2024, 94 x 63 cm. Image courtesy the artist.
