The new year is here. We can’t see what’s ahead. We just know it’s a path we must travel. What lies ahead? Here’s three things that I do know that will shape the road.

A wild ride in geopolitics

There’s an extraordinary amount of volatility ahead for us all. The world is more polarised. It’s more fragmented. The bedrock is shifting beneath us. A new president in the USA. War in Ukraine. Huge shifts in the Middle East with Syria, Iran, Lebanon, Israel and Gaza – all facing a vastly different terrain. Top that with a rapidly warming earth and heavier rainfall, stronger storms, longer droughts.

What does it mean for us? We need to focus on the things we can control since the steering wheel is beyond our reach. We need to buckle up by spending more time with family and friends. Eating good food. Sharing rich stories. And creating art. Creating art in response to the times and buying art when we can to support artists.

Less money, more innovation

There’s a perversion going on right now where there’s untold wealth sloshing around the world but it’s mostly floating on the top, like cream on fresh milk.

Speaking to a gallerist, they said artworks that sell for $10,000-$20,000 are walking out the door. If you have the cash to spend $20K on a piece of art, you’re not worried about the cost of living.

What that means it the art world is stratifying even more. If you’re creating work that sells for $2,000 – $5,000, you’re going to struggle to sell work compared with a more established artist. It’s not that the works aren’t selling, it’s just trickier to sell.

What does it mean? It means artists will continue their dirty secret of having day jobs to support their art. It seems to be verboten that artists need other work to support their art. It’s a good reason to put even more time into the studio, so we’ll be selling art in the $20,000 bracket. Till then, it’s incredible to see Save Our Arts lobbying for greater funding of the arts in the next election.

Save Our Arts wants to revitalise Australia’s cultural industries through 200 creative fellowships for emerging artists; an extra $10 million for the Translation Fund for Literature; and $5 billion over 10 years for a cultural infrastructure fund for Australia’s galleries, theatres, cultural hubs and libraries.

Much, much more art

The good news is wild times see a burst in creative energy. When the world is knocked off it’s axis, artists get to work, documenting, reflecting, immersing themselves in the new dynamic.

Much of my year will be preparing for my 2026 major exhibition at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery. The scale of the installations demands an immersive focus throughout 2025. Each piece will push the boundaries of ghostworked collage, using layers and textures to conjure a sense of place and longing.

I have a big show coming up at Tyger Gallery in the middle of the year and working towards another show with Anthea Polson Art on the Gold Coast later in the year.

An invitation

Join me — whether by following along on Instagram @ray_monde_, going to exhibitions, coming to Riverbend for a long lunch – or reaching out to share your thoughts. This year is for creating art and deepening connections—with people, places and with you!