Paradise isn’t a place… It’s a feeling.

These seven words hang centre stage at Gutterdust’s new exhibition in Sea Circus. Lit up in white neon, they illuminate the artist’s discoveries of ‘island living’ and challenge the conceived notion of ‘paradise’. The exhibition, which is entitled ‘Tropico’, features not only neon art installations, but also an array of stunning analogue photography and written word pieces. We are so excited to host contemporary artist Andy Wauman – otherwise known as Gutterdust (www.gutterdust.com) – who has been showcased in numerous galleries throughout the world, including solo exhibitions in Europe, the U.S. and Asia. Although Wauman hails from Belgium he now calls Bali ‘home’;

‘I took a break from contemporary art [in Europe] and decided to start traveling. I bought an old 35 mm camera and before I knew it I had six old cameras and I started shooting on a daily basis. Surf came into my life and it was one of the most life changing experiences I ever had. Being out in the ocean is where I felt truly happy, so I decided to build a life around it.’

The ocean features very prominently in the ‘Tropico’ exhibition; be it from the beautiful female frolicking in the surf, to the palms that adorn the beach, to the typewritten Emerson quote;

‘Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink the wild air.’

The exhibition, however, has a strange contradiction to it; it appears to glorify and debunk ‘the bali beach life’ at the same time. ‘Tropico’ celebrates [and indeed sells] its beauty while also suggesting that perhaps there is more [much more] to a life well lived than just a pretty instagram. Through his art, Wauman manages to make us fall in love and bitch about our beau within the blink of an eye. He forces us to question what it is we love about this island, how sincerely we live our ‘Bali life’ and ultimately how we define our personal paradise.

The exhibition will run throughout June until September 2016 with all framed pieces available for purchase at Sea Circus. Any online purchases can be made by contacting ringmaster@seacircus-bali.com.