In partnership with Mangkaja Arts Resources Centre, Cement Fondu is excited to present a major new commission solo exhibition by Walmajarri artist John Prince Siddon, Disco Dreamtime Drums, Guest Curated by Siddon’s long term collaborator, Emilia Galatis. This is the artist’s first major solo in a public gallery in NSW, and will centre significant new sculptural installation, paintings, wallpaper and lightwork. The new commission works were created during and in response to the disastrous flooding in Fitzroy Crossing in 2023 that affected the artist and his community. Born in 1964 in Derby, WA, John Prince Siddon spent his early years working on cattle stations until he was injured in a horse riding accident. Since 2009, he has been painting at Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency in Fitzroy Crossing WA, and has achieved major artistic accolades in recent years. He is a regular Finalist in Telstra NATSIAA and was Highly Commended in the King Wood and Mallesons Art Prize in 2018. In February 2020, his first major solo All Mixed Up was commissioned by the Perth International Festival and curated by Emilia Galatis. It was named “the festival standout exhibition” by SMH Art Critic John McDonald and was later restaged in Tarnanthi, AGSA, in 2021. Continually exploring new mediums and ways of working, Siddon’s paintings and sculptural objects are often presented as immersive installations, featuring striking wallpapers. The symbolism and imagery in his works are inspired by contemporary life and are presented in a narrative style that stems from the traditional Kimberley craft of boab nut carving. Siddon draws confronting imagery, representing national and global issues that he sees on television and combines with his own story, desert iconography and the Narrangkarni (Dreamtime). This major new commission at Cement Fondu offers Siddon the opportunity to create his largest ever installation to date, which will feature painted and embellished water barrels, his first foray into light and sound work, and an ambitious expansion of his signature painting style that mixes traditional and unconventional materials. Please join us for the exhibition launch on Saturday March 16, kicking off at 5pm with an artist talk between Galatis and Siddon.