VAN DAHL
“Bold simplicity is the key to good design.”
ABOUT
Gavin Rea aka ‘Van Dahl’, is a visual Artist born in Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia.
He is a multifaceted artist pulling from all the mediums he practices; drawing, painting, interior design, and photography.
Over the last 20 years he has produced award winning work while living and creating in Sydney, Los Angeles and New York City.
He currently resides in Australia on a sea side property on the NSW South Coast.
Art - Gavin’s art is ‘bubble gum for your eyeballs’ and is jammed full of stylised traditional tattoo imagery realised through the lens of Jean-Michel Basquiat-tinted glasses, & a New York School, Keith Haring, pop-art influence. His work is vibrant, colorful and a mixed sensibility of naive figurative, automotive fantasy & graffiti subculture symbolism.
Interior Design - Renowned for his vibrant and eclectic designs, Gavin Rea is a trailblazer in the world of interior design and is celebrated for his avant-garde approach. With a penchant for bold hues and playful designs, he has become a go-to designer for those seeking spaces that are both lively and sophisticated. Gavin owns and runs a boutique Interior Design company, Marloo Design and he is available for commissions and consultation to select private and commercial clients.
Photography - After completing his studies in Fine Art photography, Gavin began serving his commercial photography industry apprenticeship, working under some of Sydney’s best fashion, portrait, interiors and advertising photographers including Michelle Aboud, Richard Bailey, Emma Summerton and Anson Smart. He eventually began to take on his own jobs and shooting editorial for acclaimed large-format magazines, Oyster, Harpers Bazaar and ELLE. His talents took him to New York City where he resided for more than a decade. Here he worked with celebrity clientele such as Kendall Jenner, Miranda Kerr and Hugh Jackman. His advertising clients include TESLA Motors, SONY, NFL and REVLON Cosmetics.
“She (Nicole Trunfio) has worked extensively in studios and on locations with such esteemed photographers as Patrick Demarchelier, Peter Lindberg, Terry Richardson, and Australia’s Gavin Rea...”
— CREAM Magazine, Issue 57.”
THE WORK
SKETCHES
“Art is the means we have of undoing the damage of haste. It's what everything else isn't.”
‘Las Vegas in the rain’
Selected Works
“When living your life on the wild side...you must do so fearlessly embracing your stripes.”
‘Tiger with Tenticles’
‘Snake Battles Cat’
2023 – The Corner of Dew Drive Street
‘White Boy Rick’
“All you can ask for is a little honesty. As time goes on, if you’re lucky, you can become honest with yourself. You can accept yourself. There is no door A if you walked through door B. Some circumstances you just can’t change. But you can be honest.”
‘I don't believe in art. I believe in artists’
‘My burning desire’
2023 – The Corner of Dew Drive Street
‘Places to hide and places to die’
“Stay at your own style, never give in to what society thinks you should paint. Its joyous work, joyous in the sense of jazz music, the changes in pitch and emotions you know,
Just as Jazz is some musicians religion, painting is my religion”
‘Still crazy after all these years’
PAINTINGS
“Throughout the history of modern painting, the primitive has repeatedly been called upon to rescue & rejuvenate the vitality of ‘high’ art.”
Selected Works
‘Artist as a young Vandahl’ 40 x 60 cm
“Is this a portrait of the difference between the brain and the lucid mind...or just words and a painting of wisdom forged from your inner most fears? Could you always be right in your first impression while only second guessing your instincts? ”
‘1970 Malibu’ 40 x 60 cm
“If only there were more magic people to help us get through
this strange life.
“This dream it might be crazy, but it’s the only one I got.”
‘Three Birds’ 75 x 60 cm
“You don't become an artist to be famous,
You don't become an artist to be known,
You become an artist because that is what you do, it's what your spirit demands.”
‘Tiger Dice’ 75 x 60 cm
“I am my own worst competitor and also my own most severe critic and it's a hell of a spot to be in!”
‘Portrait of a Crash Test Dummy’
42 x 30 cm
“Once there was this kid who
Got into an accident and couldn't come to school
But when he finally came back
His hair had turned from black into bright white
He said that it was from when
The cars had smashed so hard”
‘1964 Ford Capri GT’
42 x 30 cm
“The secret life of making, is not just the color as it moves from brush or hand to surface, but how an idea travels across the surfaces of a mind. The secret life of hours spent looking. These most secret hours of a life”
‘Taco Grinder’ 75 x 60 cm
“I’m getting closer to really accepting myself & I’m just around the bend from contentment. Drifting along letting the small things go. And the Iron Head is runnin’ killer. I’m not listening to the mainstream anything. Not arguing. The phone turned off for hours on end. I’d rather be lucky than good any day of the week.”
‘67 Chev Impala’ 40 x 60 cm
“I want to combine as many things I like: Film, art history, muscle cars, old Harley’s, mid century furniture, mosaic tile & lighting, old buildings, peace signs— it goes on and on ...”
‘Selfie Queen’ 42 x 30 cm
“One term for someone who frequently takes selfies is "selfie enthusiast" or "selfie addict." "Selfie queen" is another word used to characterize someone who frequently snaps selfies.”
‘Panther Milk’ 42 x 30 cm
“I’ve never been somebody who can be counted on...The more I age the more I find that we can live only with beings who liberate us, who love us with an affection as light to carry as it is strong to experience. Be somebody who can be counted on! ”
‘Vroom Doom’ 42 x 30 cm
“Painting motorbikes and tinkering around, wild waves and an occasional coastal walk….don’t forget to have fun! ”
‘Hollywood Motherhood’ 42 x 30 cm
“I’ve always rejected being understood. To be understood is to prostitute oneself. I prefer to be taken seriously for what I’m not, remaining humanly unknown, with naturalness and all due respect.”
‘Make Life a Ride’
42 x 30 cm
“Some circumstances you just can’t change. But you can be honest. Not a liar a cheat or a thief. Learn how to recognize & accept a defeat & stand firm in the face of bad luck. If you can, put the vices down & check in with your real heart. Ride on!”
‘VROOOOM’ Set of 3
20 x 15 cm
“Against the ruin of the world, there is only one defense: the creative act.!”
