The Art of the Damned The current gallery system functions as a modern dam built right at the headwaters of artistic creation. The headwaters are the raw, bubbling springs high in the mountains—wild, uncontainable, fed by countless small tributaries of individual vision, experimentation, failure, intuition, and obsession. This is where most serious art actually begins: in studios, bedrooms, sketchbooks, late-night arguments, personal crises, and private obsessions, long before any curator or collector ever hears a name. Once a handful of major galleries, institutions, auction houses, and their allied gatekeepers (collectors, critics, fair directors, residency programs) gain decisive influence over those headwaters—deciding which artists get early solo shows, which receive press, which enter the "right" conversations, which are anointed with blue-chip representation—they effectively place the dam. From that point forward: The flow of visibility, legitimacy, money, and audien...
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Travel Australia Darwin to Daly Waters
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DAY ONE
Our trusty Subaru Forester was packed with me, my partner Brenda, Katchalla (our concerned but enthusiastic spoodle), and enough snacks to survive a tiny apocalypse. With our brand new Brass Monkey securely tucked into the boot, we set off on our mission: the first leg of an epic journey from Darwin to Ulladulla, NSW, with Daly Waters shimmering in our minds as our initial oasis.
We departed from Darwin, the tropical humidity clinging to us like a second skin. After about 98 kilometers, the promise of caffeine lured us into the Adelaide River Country Store. Brenda, ever the coffee connoisseur, declared their coffee to be "a damn good coffee," which is a high compliment indeed. Meanwhile, Katcha sniffed around, searching for the right spot to relieve himself and stumbled upon the store's no dickhead policy.
Back on the Stuart Highway, the landscape began to slowly transform. The lush greens of Darwin gradually gave way to the more resilient vegetation of the outback.
The road stretched endlessly before us, and at times, the sheer emptiness evoked a "Where All Machines Must Die" vibe reminiscent of MAD MAX. The Forester smoothly cruised along between 120 and 130 kph. With the air conditioning cranked up, we watched for rogue kangaroos, birds feasting on roadkill, and unfenced cattle.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity (but was a respectable 6 hours and 45 minutes), we arrived at Daly Waters with a bug splattered windscreen. The turn-off felt like a secret passage to a legendary watering hole. We bypassed the famous Daly Waters Historic Pub—its quirky charm noted for a future visit—and instead pulled into the Daly Waters Hi Way Inn. Its pet-friendly policy was a godsend, and Katcha immediately made himself at home by barking at the neighbors. We made a note to return to the historic pub on our triumphant return.
Our culinary highlight for the evening was a gourmet Laksa noodle dish enjoyed in the privacy of our room. While we both longed for the legendary pub fare we'd glimpsed during check-in, the comfort of having Katcha at the foot of the bed was worth any culinary compromise. We just had to pour in boiling water and wait a few minutes for the heavenly flavors.
The next day, we woke before dawn, drawn by a soft golden light. Our morning walk with Katcha allowed us to admire the sunrise through towering trees, road trains, and outback scenery. Standing alone against the vast horizon, the branches of one tree glowed with vibrant colors, creating a truly breathtaking sight. It had a certain stark beauty, a resilient sentinel in a "no dickhead country." It was a peaceful start to the day, a reminder of the quiet beauty hidden within the seemingly harsh landscape.
As we continued our journey south, leaving Daly Waters and its iconic sunrise tree behind, we couldn't help but chuckle at our microwaved dinner and the sheer randomness of the outback. The Subie rumbled on, carrying Brenda and a happy spoodle toward our next adventure. The memories of Daly Waters were already taking root as a unique starting chapter in our travel tales.
This artwork is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Distribution and/or modification of the artwork without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited.
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