PAST TENSE
Past Tense is a nostalgic and vibrant tribute to the colours, patterns, and fashions of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s — three visually rich decades that continue to shape my creative world.
This body of work draws deeply from memory, childhood impressions, and the cultural atmosphere of those transformative years. The turquoise and lemon hues of 60s Laminex kitchens, the clean lines of mini skirts, and the earthy browns and deep purples of 70s interiors left an indelible mark. These sensory experiences now inform my palette, movement, and texture, allowing nostalgia to translate into a vibrant visual energy.
Rather than replicate the past, Past Tense reimagines it through abstraction — each piece serving as an emotional reconstruction of memory and atmosphere. The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on how the past continues to shape the present, influencing the ways we see, create, and move through the world. It celebrates the enduring resonance of these decades, reminding us that their bold spirit still echoes today.
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CONTACT | Cathryn Sofarnos
EMAIL | cathrynsofarnos@gmail.com
MOBILE | 0420 316 799
FLOWER POWER
Oil + Oil Stick + Cold Wax + Spray Paint on Canvas
198cm x 198cm
$9,400
The Flower Power movement of the 1960s and 70s emerged as a vibrant symbol of peace, love, and resistance against war and conformity. Rooted in the ideals of freedom, nature, and collective consciousness, it transformed the image of the flower into an emblem of hope and social change. Flower Power, reinterpreted these ideals through abstraction—bursts of color, rhythmic energy, and organic forms echo the optimism and rebellion of the era. It reflects the vibrant spirit of the 1970s, a time when bold colors and floral patterns dominated fashion and interior design. Growing up in this era, I was deeply influenced by the dynamic, expressive designs that surrounded me, leaving a lasting impression on my creative outlook.
PURPLE SHAG
Oil + Oil Stick + Spray Paint on Canvas
198cm x 198cm
$9,400
Purple Shag is a nostalgic reflection on the distinctive interiors of the 1970s—a decade of bold design choices and fearless self-expression. Many of my friends had homes with deep purple shag carpets and brown leather couches, symbols of the era’s unapologetic style. While my family never had the purple carpet, we did have a brown vinyl couch and a classic swivel chair, both firmly rooted in the aesthetic of the time. The 70s were a wild period of self-discovery—globally and personally—when individuality began to flourish. The colour purple, long associated with creativity and being different, reached an iconic status during that decade, taking centre stage in both fashion and interior design like never before. Purple Shag celebrates that spirit of originality and the courage to embrace colour as a statement of identity.
V KNEES
Oil + Oil Stick + Spray Paint on Canvas
198cm x 198cm
$9,400
V Knee Jeans is inspired by one of the most coveted fashion items for young tweens in the early 1970s. These jeans were instantly recognisable by the inverted “V” flare stitched into each leg and came in striking colours like electric aqua blue and fluorescent lime green. I remember how desperately I wanted a pair—how important it felt to fit in and be like my friends. This painting reflects that tender moment of early adolescence, when identity was still forming and self-expression often came through fashion. V Knee Jeans captures the excitement, vulnerability, and longing of youth, reminding us how powerful those first tastes of individuality and belonging can be.
TWISTED RIC RAC
Oil + Cold Wax + Oil Stick + Spray Paint on Canvas
198cm x 198cm
$9,400
Ric Rac is a playful reflection on the bold decorative trim that often adorned the dresses of the 1960s and 70s. One of my earliest memories is of a mustard yellow swing dress my mother made for me when I was six, finished with bright red jumbo ric rac along the hem. This painting revisits that joyful memory while nodding to the revival of ric rac in the 1980s, a decade defined by excess, experimentation, and fearless self-expression. As street art and graffiti began to influence fashion and culture, creativity became louder and less restrained. Twisted Ric Rac captures that merging of personal nostalgia and cultural rebellion, celebrating how childhood memories and the energy of past eras continue to shape my creative language.
RETRO SWIRL
Oil + Oil Stick + Spray Paint on Canvas
198cm x 198cm
$9,400
Retro Swirl is an expression of the bold colours and swirling patterns that defined the 1960s and 70s - both decades were alive with fearless creativity and expressive design. Inspired by the iconic Marimekko prints of the era, I’ve always loved the confident use of colour and the unapologetic rhythm of their forms. This painting captures a sense of freedom and movement, celebrating the boldness of expression that permeated art, fashion, interior design, and music during that time. Retro Swirl channels the energy of an era where individuality and experimentation were not just encouraged, but celebrated.
URBAN GARDEN
Oil + Oil Stick + Spray Paint
on Canvas
198cm x 248cm
$12,500
Urban Garden reflects my early memories of arriving in Melbourne in 1984, at the age of 21, and being immediately captivated by the graffiti that lined the streets of the inner city. Like many urban centres of that time, Melbourne was still in the process of finding its cultural identity, and street art was beginning to emerge as a raw, expressive voice of youth and change. While much of society—and the government—viewed it as vandalism, I saw it as a bold and authentic art form, full of energy and emotion. Today, graffiti is celebrated as a vital part of Melbourne’s creative landscape, with entire laneways dedicated to this ever-evolving art. Urban Garden is both a tribute to those early urban markings and a reflection of how art, once dismissed, can become a defining element of a city’s soul.
GREEN V KNEES
Acrylic + Oil Stick + Spray Paint
on Canvas
140cm x 90cm
$3,200
HOT PANTS
Acrylic + Oil Stick + Spray Paint
on Canvas
140cm x 90cm
$3,200
FLOWER POWER DRESS
Acrylic + Oil Stick + Spray Paint
on Canvas
140cm x 90cm
$3,200