Darwin's Young Master Artist

Jessica Fanogil meets Joshua Bonson, 24, a humble, award-winning Darwin artist who started his career at Year 12-age. In 2011, he won the Togart Contemporary Art Award and this year he won the Top End NAIDOC Artist of the Year. 

Image: from abc.net.au 
 
"Look outside the box and do your own thing. That’s how creativity should be."

It is a usual busy Friday afternoon in Mitchell Centre, Darwin. People buzz by like bees, trying to get their lunch and things they need during their one-hour breaks. 

Walking towards the smell of brewing coffee and freshly baked pastries, I start off towards Gloria Jean’s Cafe. This was the venue where I'd meet one of Darwin's young and successful artists, Joshua Bonson.

I am prepared and early: I select the first table I find. The accompanying comfortable padded seats face each other. The loud music playing makes me more nervous than I should be. Testing the recorder and where it should be positioned, I scan passers-by for my awaited guest. 

Finally, a very neat and decent young man in light blue folded long sleeves and black slacks, comes into view. I immediately recognised Johua Bonson’s face, which I became familiar with through my research. I stand to approach him. His smile is kind and warm. 

The music drops into the background: all I can hear is him and me with my voice shrieking loud and high. His calm, warm voice and character make me comfortable enough to start my interview...

Q: At a very young age, what made you decide to pursue art?

Joshua:  I always did like painting and stuff, like being creative, using my hands. At that time I was working in horticulture so I was working with my hands and getting dirty and doing stuff.

Q: Let’s go to your awarded painting, The Skin. The judges loved your work. They said that they were ‘extraordinary’ and it’s like they’re ‘having a different experience through your work’, how did that feedback make you feel?

Joshua:  It’s always good to hear what people say about my work, both good and the bad criticism, because then it leads the direction.. I go in. People say that they see landscapes and sometimes they see bodies and faces and stuff in my work, which I’ve never had the idea for [before].

I’ve always tried to go to for the textural side of things. I get my layer work to actually produce a real, almost 3D effect... People [come up with] their own interpretation and I love hearing that. It helps me produce more work, plus I get the confidence to carry on, get new ideas and ever-expanding themes.

Q: What have you been doing since the day that you won the award?

Joshua:  Been painting and practicing my technique, getting it right, sampling with colours and stuff. It’s an evolving process, out of the evolution comes works I’ve put together in my solo shows. 

Q: You have solo shows now?

Joshua: That’s the first local show that I’ve had. All the others have been in Perth or outside  Darwin. Although this one is the most nerve-wracking because there’s family and there are people I see here. They’ve never actually been exposed to my work before, which was, unnerving. It’s still up 'til the beginning of September.

Q: What can you advise to young individuals who want to, but are scared to, bring it out to the public?

Joshua: Creativity shouldn’t be bound to what people tell you creativity is. Express creativity whenever you can, take your own avenues, take risks, do whatever it is you’re feel comfortable doing and expressing your creativity. That’s when you find your best work. I’m sort of sad when they [my works] get sold or given to other people. But it’s a good in a way that I’m giving parts of myself.

My advice, I guess, would be is to keep at it. Don’t stop. If you do stop, try and reinvent what you think creativity is for you. Look outside the box and do your own thing. That’s how creativity should be.

What: Luminous World: Contemporary Art from the Wesfarmers Collection

When: 8^th August 2013 – 4 October 2013, Monday- Fridays 10-4pm; Saturday- 10^th and 17^th Aug 10am-3pm

Where: CDU Art Gallery