It’s arrival is also a precursor to our forthcoming exhibition co-curated by Quilty that focusses on the paintings of Myuran Sukumaran titled Another Day in Paradise.

Quilty is one of Australia’s best-known and highly-regarded contemporary painters. His work is characterised by his decadent impasto application of paint, and quick mark marking, leaving the scrapes and trail of the brush or palate knife evident in his wake.

His paintings depict rural Australia and some of the more challenging aspects of our culture and history; European settlement, the rites and rituals of masculinity, nationhood and the plight of Indigenous Australians are ongoing themes. 

Kuta Rorschach is a major work from a series inspired by the iconic ink blots, inviting interpretation by the unconscious and stimulating associations beyond what is actually presented.

Kuta is an area of Bali, Indonesia known to Australians as a holiday destination – a colourful playground with a perception that the rules of western society don’t apply.

In 2002 a western-patronised nightclub in Kuta was bombed and in recent years there have been many high profile cases of Australians incarcerated in Indonesia for drug-related offences.

Quilty spent time in Bali teaching the late Myuran Sukumaran to paint whilst Myraun was on death row for his involvement with the Bali Nine.

Whilst in Bali, Quilty became intrigued by the underlying cultural frictions simmering below the ostentatious surface of the small island.  

Kuta Rorschach illustrates the symbiotic relationship between Bali and its western-centric tourism industry and the dichotomy of a community reliant on catering to a culture which is often at odds with their beliefs.

Quilty visited Myuran several times in Kerobokan Prison whilst he was on death row and in the days before his execution.

As Myuran’s painting practice expanded, so did his involvement in the prison community, his ‘studio’ becoming an art room and expanding into an education space for fellow prisoners, demonstrating the transformative power of art to heal and cross cultures.

In July, Bendigo Art Gallery will be presenting works by Myuran Sukumaran created during the final three years of his ten-year incarceration at Kerobokan Prison.

Alongside a suite of newly-commissioned works by leading Australian contemporary artists, Another Day in Paradise speaks to ideas of the healing power of art, restorative justice, and poses the idea put forward by Myuran in his final days that ‘people can change’.

Exhibition co-curator Ben Quilty worked tirelessly to have Myuran’s sentence commuted and as an advocate for the abolition of the death penalty.

Quilty will be speaking on Friday July 6 at 11am at Latrobe Art Institute. Numbers are limited for this free event so bookings essential on 03 5434 6088 or bendigoartgallery@bendigo.gov.au