FORM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians throughout Western Australia both past and present, whose enduring connection to this Country and ongoing contributions to our collective culture and communities we respect and honour. We appreciate and are deeply grateful for the privilege of working on these lands.
Front cover image: why is the tiger here?, Stormie Mills, 2024
ONCE UPON A SOMETIMES
AN IMMERSIVE STORYBOOK FROM STORMIE MILLS
running with a tiger Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil sticks on Belgian linen 163.3 x 262.8 cm
$25,000
walking together
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil pastels on Belgian linen
120.5 x 220.5 cm
$19,300
why is the tiger here?
Stormie Mills, 2024
Gesso oils, spray paint, oil pastels, grafitti remover on canvas 115 x 166 cm
$18,300
shadow / light Stormie Mills, 2024
$17,500
Oil bars on Belgian linen (unframed)
100 x 135 cm
not always but not never
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil bars on Belgian linen (framed)
170 x 320 cm
$25,000
my ever constant Stormie Mills, 2024 Oil sticks on Belgian linen 213 x 213 cm
$22,000
a mask for who?
Stormie Mills, 2024
Acrylic on Belgian Linen (unframed)
40 x 30 cm
$4,800
a single line Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil pastels on Belgian Linen
78.5 x 53.1 cm
$8,200
the protagonist
Stormie Mills, 2024
Acrylic paint, cardboard 120 x 135 x 100 cm POA
a single thread
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil sticks on Belgian Linen
78.5 x 53.1 cm
$8,500
as life happens
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil sticks on paper
62.3 x 49.3 cm
$4,800
coming / going
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil sticks on paper
62.3 x 49.3 cm
$4,800
containment / contentment
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil sticks on paper
70.2 x 52.2 cm
$8,200
observe yourself from a distance
$4,000
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil pastels, air dried clay, cardboard and journal
H 37.5 x W 70 x D 40 cm
on / off
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil bars on Belgian linen
105 x 67 x 5 cm
$7,700
don’t / doubt
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil sticks on paper
62.3 x 49.3 cm
$5,300
outside / inside
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil pastel on Belgian linen
52.1 x 42.4 cm
$6,500
entering / leaving Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil sticks on paper
62.3 x 49.3 cm
$4,800
fabric / armour
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil sticks on paper
62.3 x 49.3 cm
$4,800
still / standing
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil pastels on Belgian linen
72.2 x 57 cm
$7,500
seek
hide /
Stormie Mills, 2024
Acrylic on Belgian linen (unframed)
40 x 30 cm
$5,500
with a tiger on his chest
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil sticks on Belgian linen
90.7 x 65.5 cm
$8,300
journalism / notes to self Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil sticks on paper
62.3 x 49.3 cm
$4,800
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil sticks on paper
62.3 x 49.3 cm
$4,800
preparation / procrastination
$7,300
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil pastels on Belgian linen (unframed)
46 x 61 cm
put on the mask
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil bars on Belgian linen 105 x 62 cm
$7,500
rest / play
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil pastels on Belgian linen
48.4 x 38.5 cm
$6,800
upper / lower
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil pastel and oil paint on Belgian linen
60.5 x 50.5 cm
$6,800
wait / start
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil sticks on paper
62.3 x 49.3 cm
$4,800
waiting / watching Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil pastels on Belgian linen
67.2 x 57.4 cm
$7,800
watch / learn
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil sticks on paper
62.3 x 49.3 cm
$4,800
hunter / gatherer
Stormie Mills, 2024
Oil sticks on paper
62.3 x 49.3 cm
$4,800
Once Upon A Sometimes is a visual journey unlike any other with one of Western Australia’s most celebrated artists, Stormie Mills. This exclusive exhibition offers a rare and intimate look into the life of the artist, with every artwork reflecting his challenges, ideas and self-discovery.
This is more than just an exhibition – it’s an opportunity to engage with the soul of an artist who has left a lasting impact on audiences around the world.
Stormie Mills, 2021, image courtesy of the artist.
STORMIE MILLS
Stormie Mills is best known for his whimsical, thought-provoking characters created from a restricted colour palette of black, white, grey and silver.
As his practice developed, Stormie’s iconic characters found their way into the galleries, streets and homes of collectors around Australia and the world.
His work draws on a deep sense of isolation and yet each character seems to carry a message of hope. These opposing elements in Stormie’s practice imbue his characters with a palpable presence and humanity capturing the tenderness of the human condition that people connect with. Testament to this is the significant expansion of Stormie’s collector base globally and sell out shows in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne.
His whimsical works are represented in galleries around Australia and Stormie’s private and public commissions light up streetscapes across the globe from Perth to the UK, USA, Europe and Asia. He has been invited to participate in some of the world’s most prestigious street art festivals and completed countless private and public art commissions. Most recently he was invited to create the first sanctioned street art mural as part of the prestigious Florence Biennale Stormie has also ventured into the world of three dimensions, transforming his iconic Bunnyman character into a series of four-metre-high pop figurines that populated the streets of the Brisbane International Arts Festival known as the Stormie Mills project This body of work appeared as part of the Perth Fringe Festival and at the
prestigious international Sculptures By The Sea exhibition where Stormie was awarded the Kids’ Choice Prize as voted by the public. He has also created a 4m bronze representation as part of a public art commissioning project.
Visitors to Melbourne can immerse themselves in Stormie’s creative energy when they stay at The Cullen, part of the Art Series Hotel Group where he was commissioned to create his own Street Art Suite. Stormie was the first Australian street artist to create a suite sitting alongside international artists.
It’s not just Stormie’s art that has fostered a strong following, his compelling personal story and with his passion for his practice has made him a sought-after speaker. He has presented at the world’s most respected design festival, the AG Ideas conference and was
invited by Conference Creator Ken Cato to be one of 25 artists to create an artwork to celebrate the conference’s 25-year history. He was also a guest speaker at the Design Conference in London and headlined the Design Institute of Australia Breakfast. Stormie was also a speaker at FORM’s #PUBLIC Street Art Festival, and PUBLIC Symposium
Stormie has been widely published and has three books documenting his vast body of work. He has exhibited globally and created a strong following for his distinctive work.
Stormie Mills, 2021, images courtesy of the artist.
ABOUT FORM BUILDING A STATE OF CREATIVITY
FORM is an independent, not-for-profit arts and cultural organisation based in Claremont and operating across Western Australia. Our mission is to be a leader in the development of a vibrant creative economy for the benefit and wellbeing of all Western Australian communities.
FORM’s vision is to be a major contributor in ensuring Western Australia is a vibrant, thriving, and connected participant in a global creative economy, and that our work is world-renowned for its ability to catalyse unique cultural expression, arising from our State’s healthy and prosperous communities.
Our vision is realised through our values: creativity, excellence, integrity, community empowerment and collaboration.
Our unique programs include FORM Gallery & Café, Spinifex Hill Studio, FORM Creative Learning - Creative Schools and Scribblers, major Cultural Tourism projects such as Thomas Dambo’s Giants of Mandurah and the PUBLIC Silo Trail, plus Arts and Cultural Consultancy.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Once Upon A Sometimes was published by FORM Building a State of Creativity in May 2024, to accompany the exhibition of the same name at FORM Gallery.
Photography by George Vavakis.
©FORM 2024. All rights reserved.
Copyright for imagery and written content in this publication is held by FORM Building a State of Creativity or the individual contributors, where applicable. Every effort has been made to adhere to best practice ICIP protocols.
FORM Building a State of Creativity 39 Gugeri Street Claremont WA 6010
www.form.net.au mail@form.net.au
08 9385 2200
FORM Gallery
4 Shenton Road Claremont WA 6010
Opening Hours Weekdays 9:00am - 3:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 12:00pm Closed public holidays.
