Halos in the Shadows is the debut exhibition of Wangaratta artist Joel Stevens, created as a tribute to the family members who have stood beside him through two decades of living with mental ill health. Each work reflects on a particular relationship, acknowledging the quiet strength and enduring care that have shaped his journey toward wellness.
Stevens turns to texture and tone as a way of holding memory, layering surfaces with tenderness and restraint. Shadows are not simply the absence of light but spaces of reflection, while halos suggest the presence of love and support that continues to surround him. The exhibition is both personal and universal: a meditation on resilience, gratitude, and the sustaining power of human connection. Halos in the Shadows invites audiences to share in an intimate exploration of memory and belonging, where art becomes a vessel for healing and tribute.
Joel Stevens, Avis, 2025, acrylic on canvas, 101 x 152cm,
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