Teo Treloar’s exhibition features more than 40 of his works. Photo: Michael Gray.
Wollongong artist Teo Treloar describes an exhibition which brings together a body of work representing his more than two-decade career as “exciting and overwhelming”.
A Void A Maze is Wollongong Art Gallery’s second exhibition for the year. The major survey exhibition features more than 40 works from the award-winning artist.
“Seeing everything in one space makes me reflect on the work I’ve done – but also on all the questions that still remain,” the Wollongong University visual arts lecturer said.
The exhibition features work loaned from the artist, and those borrowed from significant public and private collections across Australia.
Gallery director and exhibition curator Daniel Mudie Cunningham said Teo Treloar was an exceptional artist whose unwavering dedication to drawing sat him apart.
“A local talent with national significance, Teo’s work explores compelling narratives of labour, masculinity, and existence, all while showcasing extraordinary technical mastery,” Daniel said.
Teo is known for his precise, methodical approach to drawing. His practice is inspired by literary texts such as The Trial (Franz Kafka), Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoevsky), American Psycho (Bret Easton Ellis), and The Plague (Albert Camus).
“I really leaned into the idea of maze-like worlds often found in existential literature – worlds that feel both predictable and illogical. I try to create that same sense of unease and uncertainty in my work,” he said.
Part of Teo’s exhibition at Wollongong Art Gallery. Photo: Michael Gray.
His work is held in major collections, including the National Gallery of Australia, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Art Bank, Grafton Regional Gallery and now Wollongong Art Gallery.
Teo considers the exhibition a moment to pause and consider his artistic journey.
“I made a deliberate commitment to drawing, ensuring that dedication and consistency remained central to my practice,” he said.
“The nature of my work is inherently unforgiving, demanding both technical precision and sensitivity to materials.
“Each mark carries significance, and mistakes serve as a reality check, revealing the limits of control and underscoring the ongoing process of learning and refinement.
“But looking back is difficult. Like many artists, I struggle with imposter syndrome – I often question whether I’ve done enough or if I can really call myself ‘a good artist’.
“Still, I can see a pattern of persistence and commitment, even if it doesn’t always feel that way.”
The centrepiece of the exhibition is Teo’s journal archive, a collection of journals and sketchbooks that have been stitched together as each one is completed.
“This is the first time this work by Teo is on exhibition at Wollongong Art Gallery and what makes it particularly poignant is that journal archive and its accompanying print edition were recently acquired by the gallery,’’ Daniel said.
“It’s a rare opportunity to provide us a glimpse into the artist’s very personal process and their private world.’’
The free exhibition will run until 29 June at Wollongong Art Gallery, Burelli Street, Wollongong. The gallery is open from 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday to Friday and from noon to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday.
