Millennial Toast was created for McGings’ annual open exhibition in Westport, part of the 2024 Westival arts festival. The exhibition invited artists to respond to the theme of Modern Life, with all submissions fitting within a 23cm canvas.
My illustration depicts a plate of avocado toast, referencing a widely shared comment made by Australian property developer Tim Gurner, who suggested that young people struggle to afford homes because they spend money on luxuries like avocado toast. This piece reflects on that statement and the broader financial challenges faced by many millennials, particularly the growing difficulty of homeownership.
The illustration was created digitally, using bold shapes and a restrained colour palette to keep the composition clear and direct. I wanted the piece to feel playful at first glance but underpinned by frustration, highlighting how everyday pleasures are sometimes framed as barriers to serious goals.
The final artwork was printed as an A5 giclée on archival paper and exhibited alongside a wide variety of interpretations of the Modern Life theme.
Find out more about Westival here.
