Oily Water

Will Lynes

showing 21 Aug to 26 Oct 2025

Main Gallery | curated by Aimee Frodsham

Artist & designer Will Lynes presents a solo exhibition delves into the tension between precision and imperfection, and asks: what if we embraced failure, not as a flaw to fear, but to challenge and expand conventional perspectives?

Sydney-based artist Will Lynes trained as a traditional signwriter and gilder and has been working with sheet glass, gold leaf, and enamel paints for over 20 years. He draws inspiration from traditional and highly complex decorative art techniques, including brilliant cut glass, silver mirroring, and reverse glass painting, which gained popularity among the wealthy during the 18th and 19th centuries.

In Oily Water, Lynes takes these materials beyond their conventional associations with wealth, status, and monetary value. Drawing on their rich history as symbols of luxury, adornment, and power, he reinterprets them to explore deeper themes of perception and the burdens we carry. By subverting the traditional value tied to precious metals, Lynes shifts the conversation beyond material worth to engage with the rawness of street culture, everyday life, and our shared humanity, while still honouring the rich traditions of craftsmanship and symbolism these materials embody. Through the process of distorting silver mirror and embedding patterns deep within the reflective surface, Lynes engages with ideas around perfectionism and its limits. This process challenges viewers to look past the polished exterior and consider what lies beneath, inviting reflection on beauty found in the unknown, the journey, and the essence of the material’s inherent qualities.

Throughout his career, Lynes has worked on a range of high-profile projects, from heritage restorations and large-scale commercial signwriting to architectural and decorative glass commissions. His expertise has been applied to custom mirrors, silver-mirrored panels, and reverse-painted glass for both public and private interiors, combining traditional technical precision with contemporary aesthetic refinement. He has also collaborated with contemporary artists and designers, integrating traditional gilding and glass techniques into modern artworks and installations.

Find out more | EVENTS