23.6″x15.7″; collage on board; 2025. Courtesy of the artist.
COLLAGE ON VIEW
A Wonderful Life
at West End Art Space in West Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
3–25 May 2025
Drawing inspiration from photojournalism of the 1950s and 60s, artist Steve Tierney offers a challenging commentary on everyday life. By blending bold and powerful imagery with strong black and white contrasts that both reflect the era’s glaring social dynamics and highlight their relevance to contemporary issues, the irony is undeniable. Even as we celebrate progress, we are complicit in cycles of violence and discrimination.
23.6″x15.7″; collage on board; 2025. Courtesy of the artist.
“A Wonderful Life” confronts the contradictions in our societal ideal of happiness through the medium of collage. Larger than life images of joyful people are juxtaposed against stark depictions of social unrest, sexism and war. These contrasting visuals prompt reflection on the idealised notion of a “wonderful life” that is often promoted, yet frequently undermined by basic inequality, suffering, and conflict.
INFORMATION
West End Art Space
112 Adderley Street
West Melbourne, Victoria 3003, Australia
+61 4152 43917
Hours:
Wednesday-Saturday, 11AM-4PM
All other times by appointment only