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This July, we are delighted to reveal ’In-between,’ an exploration of the transitional spaces that exist within identity, culture, and emotion.

This duo exhibition features the compelling works of Australian/Colombian artist Joshua Searle and German-born Arne Ohlsen, who navigate their own “in-between” states - whether between countries, cultures, or personal experiences.

Their vibrant colours, textures, and confident lines reflect a world moving bravely into the future, reconfiguring everyday subjects to create new encounters. This exhibition challenges viewers’ expectations and prompts questions about the values and meanings ascribed to art and identity.

‘In-between’ brings together Joshua Searle and Arne Ohlsen’s diverse yet complementary explorations of identity, heritage, and emotional depth, inviting viewers to reconsider preconceived notions and embrace the complexities of existence and creating meaning in a constantly evolving world.

"I examine Pre-Columbian artefacts in museum collections and use these encounters to understand my diasporic history and identity. My work transitions from exploring collective cultural identity and societal impact to a more personal investigation.

My paintings address my family’s identity, the impact of colonisation, and the loss of language and cultural knowledge. ‘Stolen Gold’ stands as both a statement of strength and a critical inquiry into the literal and metaphoric gold taken by colonisation."

- Joshua Searle


"My journey reflects my transient existence. Facing a sudden visa issue, I found myself between countries, unsure of where my home truly is.

My art echoes this state of limbo, representing the space between confidence and self-doubt.

My narrative, is interwoven with my artistic practice, and explores the profound emotions tied to displacement and the search for belonging."

- Arne Ohlsen

About Joshua Searle

Born in 1998, Joshua Searle delves into socio-cultural issues and diasporic identity. Primarily a painter, Joshua also works across sculpture, contemporary jewellery, glass, and printmaking. His art explores the diasporic position in contemporary societies shaped by migration and displacement in the Americas and Australia, addressing confronting issues while celebrating Black excellence.

Joshua's work engages deeply with his Colombian heritage, using figurative repetition to explore meanings that shift with context. His major projects, including *Wall of Gold* (2023), *Stolen Gold* (2023-2024), and *Museo del Oro Robado* (Museum of Stolen Gold, 2024), critique institutional practices of theft, examining Pre-Columbian artefacts held in museum collections. These projects serve as a means for Joshua to understand his diasporic history and identity, functioning as a reclamation of identity and a critique of colonialism.

Joshua has been recognised with several commissions, including with the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery (2022-23) and the Archibald Prize Exhibition (2023). He was a finalist in the Sir John Sulman Prize (AGNSW, 2023) and the National Works on Paper Prize (MPRG, 2024). His solo exhibitions in Melbourne, such as *Relentless Optimism* (2024), have garnered significant attention. Currently, he is the recipient of the 2024 Mason Family Trust Fellowship, allowing him to research Indigenous gold-smithing and sculptural practices in Colombia.


About Arne Ohlsen

Originally from Germany, 26-year-old Arne Ohlsen has made Australia his home since 2019. As a self-taught artist, Arne began painting three years ago, using it as a therapeutic means of self-expression. His intuitive artistic process, influenced by music and raw emotion, captures the human experience with authenticity and vitality.

Arne's work, described as somewhere between Renaissance and modern expressionism, invites viewers to explore deep emotions through his vibrant and emotive creations. His journey as an artist reflects his experience of being “in-between”- caught between different cultures and emotional states.

Saint Cloche Gallery
37 MacDonald St, Paddington NSW Australia 2021


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