Hot in the City is an abstract celebration of vibrant summer energy and the sensory experiences that come alive in Newcastle. Inspired by sun-drenched days spent relaxing on beaches, exploring lush parks then indulging in the flavours of local restaurants and street vendors, this work channels the rhythm and warmth of those memories into colour and form. Through playful shapes, layered textures, and bold contrasts, I sought to capture the feeling of movement, joy, and spontaneity that summer in the city evokes—a tapestry of tastes, sounds, and moments stitched together in a bright, living pulse.


Angelea Van Dam is a contemporary mixed-media artist whose vibrant, abstract paintings unfold like “adventures in paint.” Beginning with chaotic scribbles and bold colour clashes, her works evolve through layering, sanding, and refinement into textured narratives that invite personal interpretation. Creating not with agenda but necessity, her art offers sanctuary and connection, each piece titled to hint at its emotional core. Recently recognised within the Hunter Emerging Arts Prize (2025) Angelea is constantly working at her art practice and sharing her evolving journey through colour, chaos, and resolution.