'Fragments of Light’ by Jesse Dayan

‘Fragments of Light’ presents a series of paintings rooted in the everyday life of Melbourne, capturing intimate tableaux that reflect the changing seasons, nostalgia, and the connections between people and place. Influenced by the loose, expressive studies of Edward Hopper and Edouard Manet, the urban scenes of Elwin Hawthorne and the distilled compositions of Félix Vallotton, Jesse Dayan’s paintings offer a contemporary take on Modernist ideals.

In contrast to the hyper-real digital imagery and AI-driven visuals that dominate today’s culture, these paintings offer a tactile, emotional alternative. Rich in colour and deeply personal, they invite the viewer to engage with both the familiar world around us and the layered, subjective experience of the artist, encouraging a deeper connection to a moment and place captured on canvas.

Image credit: Jesse Dayan, detail from 'Summer Walk', 2024, oil on linen, 40 x 30 cm, image courtesy of the artist.


Was this page helpful?