Like the other artists and artisans moving there – he is seeking a different backdrop than the quarter-acre suburban backyard.

Following studies at the National Art School in 2012, he moved to Braidwood to work as an artist full-time.

He said Braidwood, with its ancient buildings and rural vistas and space – provided the creative stimulus he needed for his work. 

He also just loves the small community and how people look out for each other.

“I grew up on a farm on the North NSW Coast and we moved to Sydney and it was always a strange thing to deal with - that reduction in space,” he said.

“Also there is that feeling that everything you do in the suburbs is being watched by your neighbours - my work in the exhibition explores that - I call it suburban gothic. It is the darkness of the suburbs.” 

He has four works in an exhibition called Coarse Stories, which explore his experiences with the physical world. 

Coarse Stories is currently showing at the Goulburn Regional Art Gallery and he is speaking about it in a talk called Spatial Relations at the gallery on November 16. 

The talk also features talks by architect Isabelle Toland and gallery director Gina Mobayed. 

“It will explore how the space around us influences how we feel,” he said.

“Gina is also keen to talk about how art changes between being in a gallery and outside it - such as the work by Jason Wing and young people in Russell Lane - how that makes you feel like you have company because of the protective tree spirits above you.”

Ms Mobayed said Monde’s work explores themes of persecution, isolation and redemption.

“His solo show 'Dry Your Tears', Sturt Gallery 2014, and 'It’s For Your Own Good', M16 Artspace, delved into the childhood experiences that shape our lives as adults,” she said. 

“ In 2018, Monde exhibited 'Over The Back Fence' with Michael Reid Murrurundi, looking into the private-public lives of suburban gothic landscapes.

“Four of these works are presented in Coarse Stories.” 

Monde was a semi-finalist in the Doug Moran Portrait Prize 2017, a finalist in the Wyndham Art Prize 2017/18 and the Gold Coast Art Prize, 2015. 

He completed a Bachelor of Arts at Charles Sturt University in 1994 and he has worked in advertising as a copywriter in London, New York and Sydney. 

Spatial Relations – in conversation with Ray Monde, Isabelle Toland and Gina Mobayed is on Friday November 16 from 1pm. 

For more information contact the gallery on 4823 4494.