Artists Abroad #1: David Noonan on London, collage, performance, and colour

“It’s really about looking at images and putting them together, and looking at how they behave,” says David Noonan in our latest podcast series Artists Abroad, talking with artists who’ve moved to London and what the move has meant for their practice—while also chatting about the art itself.   

Ballarat-born, Noonan has lived and worked in London since 2005. He’s acclaimed and internationally exhibited for his stunning black-and-white works created from both figurative and abstract found images that stem from theatre, dance, subcultures and social media. The works span video to collage to tapestry, looking at the interplay of the figurative and abstract, but also more emotive states like mystery and the uncanny. 

Noonan’s most recent Australian show at TarraWarra Museum of Art, Only when it’s cloudless, functions like one large installation where the works often capture moments not necessarily of performance, but when the mask drops. There is something both defiant and vulnerable at play. 

Noonan talks about growing up in Ballarat, his trips to London and his eventual move, and if he feels leaving Australia has changed the trajectory of his practice and career. We also chat about how Noonan creates his works, questions on authenticity, and how he’s recently bought colour into his practice. 

Only when it’s cloudless
David Noonan
TarraWarra Museum of Art
Until 10 July

This series is kindly sponsored by Leonard Joel Auctioneers and Valuers, based in Melbourne and Sydney.

Produced and presented by Tiarney Miekus, engineering by Patrick Telfer, and music by Mino Peric.

Episode source