Michael Gromm: Summer Bummer Summer

For his forthcoming exhibition, Summer Bummer, Melbourne artist Michael Gromm showcases his remarkable ability to transform abstraction into a visceral, dynamic experience.

Created during an extended stay with family in Stawell, Central Victoria, this new body of work reflects both the intensity and serenity of rural isolation – its minimal distractions offset by lake beaches and an expansive landscape. However, the summer was not without its challenges. A series of fires during multiple heatwaves filled the skies with smoke and ash, adding a charged, unpredictable energy to the process of painting.

The works in Summer Bummer pulse with restless energy and discovery. Combining paint pours, masking and meticulous detail, Gromm constructs vibrant internal worlds that push beyond the boundaries of the canvas.