Monkeys, volcanoes and confetti collide in Picnic at Black and White Mountain, a vibrant new exhibition by Matthew Cheyne as he invites viewers to consider how perspective shapes our understanding of the world, and whether stepping back from the extremes might offer a different way of seeing them.
Blending dark humour with hyper-colour imagery, Cheyne examines humanity’s fascination with the unpredictable, and our persistent attempts to contain, categorise and control it. From the controlled environments of museums and zoos to the raw power of the natural world, his works explore the uneasy space where order meets chaos.
‘I’m looking for what I call a ‘picnic spot’, a neutral position from which I can look at it as an idea’, says Matthew Cheyne. ‘If I can just view it from the appropriate vantage point, the volcano is beautiful and terrifying, a god to be feared and a geological phenomenon to be studied’.
Drawing on observations of people, everyday scenarios and the built environment, Cheyne finds humour in the contradictions of contemporary life. His distinctive use of colour is also informed, in part, by his colour blindness, adding another dimension to the way he interprets and represents the world around him.
The exhibition follows a strong year for the artist following his winning the 2026 Brisbane Portrait Prize Packer’s Room Prize and his selection as a finalist in the 2026 Stanthorpe Art Prize.
An exhibition opening with Matthew Cheyne in attendance will take place on Friday 20 November, 5.30pm to 7pm. An artist talk will follow on Saturday 5 December at 11am, with Cheyne discussing the ideas and creative process behind his latest body of work.
*All events are free.
Showing from 17 November to 19 December 2026.
Image: Black and White Monkeys, 103x85cm oil on linen (2026)