The two new works that make up half of this small exhibition were originally painted for a group show at Prior Artspace in Barcelona. Scheduled for the end of last year, it unfortunately was cancelled at the last minute. This wasn’t a complete loss though because I got to revisit the two paintings (titled Earth Hostel, and The Tides) when they were returned to me, and they’re better works because of it. So I’m really happy that they’re getting their first airing here at Gallery 9. I’m also really happy because the opening night of this show coincides with me starting a 6 week residency in Paris, my first residency ever. Called Retina Residency, it is an invitation only program set up by the city of Paris and The National Vision Hospital in Bastille. It only began this year and I’ll be part of its second season as the first international artist to be included. It is a huge honour, and not just because of the prestige associated with it but also the great generosity of what it includes. So with all of this it seemed only fitting to title the exhibition Intercontinental: Sydney to Paris, via Barcelona. I hope these paintings in some way show and relay to you how the unexpected can in fact be wonderful. I hope you don’t mind that I can’t make the opening. Adrian Hobbs, May 2023 WE WELCOME YOU TO ATTEND THE OPENING RECEPTION ON MAY 17 FROM 6 TO 8PM