promise to sing for you is an exhibition of paintings by the artist, created while in residence at Goolugatup Heathcote.

In her work, Jemi memorialises her friendships: quoting their bold one-liners, collecting remnants from hanging out, collaborating on paintings, and looking back over the rushed and candid photos they take of one another.

These new works are exhibited across two adjoining rooms, acting like the bridges that friends make to span physical and emotional distance. Jemi’s paintings hold hands through doorways, and their arrangement transforms into companionship.

Jemi Gale is a Narrm/Melbourne based artist. Jemi’s practice centres on friendship-driven collaboration and loneliness prevention through art-making. She combines traditional painting materials with unconventional elements – like nail polish, spray paint, charms, and collaged text – alongside imagery drawn from popular culture and suburban life. In addition to her painting practice Jemi makes singing music produced by her friends Katie Dey and June Jones, and performs as part of Dandd. She is represented by Mary Cherry Contemporary.