Most of us explore a neighbourhood from street level. Artist Greg Mallyon likes to see things a little differently.
From planes and helicopters to hot air balloons, Greg has spent years finding inspiration in the landscape from above.
The result is a distinctive collection of abstract paintings that capture the colours, patterns and natural formations of the land in ways we don't usually get to see.
An Australian painter and printmaker, Greg began his professional art career at just 17. Since then, he's completed a Master of Art in painting at UNSW, held more than 38 solo exhibitions and developed an approach to art that combines traditional techniques with some rather unexpected materials.
Think marble dust, raw pigments, ground pumice and layered paint.
Two of Greg's artworks are part of the South Melbourne Art Series.
Titled Bunurong Landscape 1 and Bunurong Landscape 2, the works reference Bunurong Country, connecting the collection to the land on which Local: South Melbourne sits.
Greg's approach draws inspiration from aerial perspectives, mapping and the natural world. His practice has also been informed by time spent working alongside Aboriginal artists and art centres in remote Australian communities.
Rather than painting landscapes exactly as we see them, he explores their underlying shapes, patterns and structures.
It's an interesting connection to the wider South Melbourne art collection, which takes inspiration from the forms and structures of the building and its surroundings.
South Melbourne is a neighbourhood of contrasts.
There's the familiar bustle of the market, the heritage streets, the changing city skyline and the bay just beyond.
Greg's work encourages us to think about what connects it all.
It's a different way to experience a place, and one that reminds us there's always more to discover about the neighbourhood we call home.
Next time you pass his paintings, take a closer look at the shapes and layers. You might just find yourself seeing the landscape differently.
Discover more of Greg's work: gregmallyonart.com
