Caitlin Reilly

Taking Cover reflects my ongoing inquiry into home, belonging, and the fragile nature of place. Set within the landscape of Byron Bay—where postcard beauty coexists with the quiet reality of homelessness—these works turns their gaze toward those seeking refuge at the edges of visibility.

Though grounded in a specific place, the work gestures toward a universal condition—the search for sanctuary in an uncertain world. It invites quiet reflection on what it means to be “at home,” not only in body but in spirit.

Streets of this town

This series portrays a stark yet deeply human aspect of life on the streets of Byron Bay, a place I have called home for nearly 30 years. Homelessness carries an undeniable weight—a quiet sorrow that is both seen and unseen. We either observe or look away, acknowledging its presence or passing by, desensitized to a reality that has become part of our modern landscape.

Painting these works has been a profound learning curve—not about exact replication, but about capturing a visceral power. Oil paint, with its depth and texture, feels close to skin, allowing me to convey the presence of a body without rendering a portrait. I chose to paint these figures as anonymous sleepers, their identities undisclosed, yet their forms deeply human. The shape of a body curled beneath fabric, the angle of feet exposed to the elements—these details tell their own stories of vulnerability and endurance.

This series has heightened my own fears about housing security and deepened my awareness of the struggles that lead to homelessness. I wanted to create paintings that are visually striking yet filled with the complexity and despair of an everyday reality for so many. Through this work, I aim to capture the raw, emotional impact of homelessness while offering a perspective rendered with care. In doing so, I hope to draw your gaze closer—to see, to feel, and to reflect on this often-overlooked side of our streets.

Light at the end of the road There exists a certain intangible possibility in every road. A new direction, an invitation to somewhere yet undiscovered.

This series is an exploration of the familiar yet evolving nature of my surroundings. The local area where I work and live; Byron Shire and its Hinterland in Bundjalung country inspired these paintings. I paint from memories formed by my constant journeying along these roads over the last 20 years. While these works are a study in painting and surface structure and capturing where light falls. In many ways these are an expression of my gratitude for living in this truly beautiful place.

In the embrace of Liawenee, Tasmania, I found a sanctuary that beckoned me across the seasons. Under the generous patronage of collectors , I embarked on two transformative journeys—first, in the heart of winter amidst the ethereal landscapes of July, and later, on the cusp of Spring. Initially driven by a desire for repose and fresh inspiration, I discovered that this place held far more than I could have imagined.

These paintings were created in situ from this residency

In residence at La Courtaudie I painted these small vignettes. This beautiful place gave me rest and endless hours of watching light change, these are my attempts at trying to catch it.