Long term The Design Files fans will be familiar with the paintings of Evi O, which we exhibited back in 2016!

Since then the artist and designer has designed multiple acclaimed book covers (including those authored by William Dangar, Karen McCartney, and Zoe Foster-Blake), further grown her design practice Evi O. Studio, and developed her latest art show, Giant. 

Opening today at Saint Cloche, Giant features paintings with bold compositions, balanced with decadent combinations of colours. 

Evi says the works are inspired by the ‘gigantic things that matter to humans living in a society,’ both in Evi’s personal life, and society as a whole. 

‘I felt like I had a new set of eyes prior to working on this collection due to big changes in my life in 2019. And of course…the 2020 pandemic, that was a great jolt to observe and question how society functions (and readjusts), and how ourselves as collective beings are placed inside a bigger picture,’ she says. ‘Perfect timing to explore the topic, really.’

The paintings in Giant showcase the use of dominant abstract shapes suggestive of animal, plant and constructed earthly forms.

‘Aesthetically, I’m continuing my exploration of shapes and colours, combining more rigid lines with the organics. Colours are perhaps more limited in palette, but also I’m going bolder with contrasting hues,’ she says. ‘I feel fresh after producing this collection, and hope that feeling translates through the work.’

The show’s title is a literal reference to the size of the paintings, which are Evi’s largest to date. 

Giant opens today for one week. Visitors can meet Evi at a special event on Saturday February 27 from 11am-4pm.

Giant by Evi O
Thursday February 25 – Thursday March 4 2021
Saint Cloche
37 MacDonald Street
Paddington NSW