Monica Rohan, a Brisbane-based artist, creates vibrant oil paintings in which domestic objects like patterned tablecloths and bentwood dining chairs appear in remote, natural landscapes. Her recent works, including those from her upcoming solo exhibition "Invitations" at Sophie Gannon Gallery in Melbourne this June, increasingly omit human figures, allowing the objects themselves to become stand-ins for people. The scenes are inspired by her hiking trip through Tasmania, featuring alpine summits, streams, and meadows.
This shift matters because it marks a significant evolution in Rohan's practice, moving from figurative work to a more ambiguous exploration of the relationship between people and landscape. By removing characters, she transforms familiar household items into uncanny, precarious presences that invite viewers to consider themes of home, comfort, and intrusion. The exhibition "Invitations" represents a new chapter for the artist, showcasing her ability to blend the domestic with the wild in a way that is both visually striking and conceptually rich.