Michael Langley
Life is not a rose garden | 2026 | hand drawn , digitally coloured, 1:1 unique giclee print on museum grade paper | 120 x 80cm
Sunshine Coast National Art Prize 2026 - Finalist
Image courtesy of artist.
Michael Langley
NSW
Life is not a rose garden
2026
Hand drawn , digitally coloured, 1:1 unique giclee print on museum grade paper
120 x 80cm
My work is grounded in close observation of everyday life. This piece reflects on a familiar cliché: the persistent message that emotional, physical, and financial success should come naturally. Across all forms of media, we are continually presented with curated versions of achievement and happiness. When our own lives fail to mirror these representations, it can feel as though we are somehow falling short. In truth, life is not a rose garden, and struggle is not necessarily a personal failure.
Artistically, my practice balances two contrasting elements: the traditional and the subtly modern. Each piece begins as a hand-drawn image, shaped by tactile process and careful detail. It then evolves into a 1:1 unique giclée print. The digital component serves only to introduce colour, transforming the original drawing into its final form while preserving the integrity of the handmade foundation.