Art Wank

Send us a textIn this episode of Art Wank, we dive into the dynamic and prolific career of Australian artist Ann Thomson, whose expressive, abstract works have made her a vital force in Australian contemporary art for over five decades. Born in 1933 in Brisbane and trained at the National Art School in Sydney, Thomson's practice has always defied easy categorisation. Her paintings and sculptures are known for their vibrant energy, lyrical abstraction, and a deep, intuitive connection to material and process.We explore Thomson's early influences, including her time in Europe during the 1960s, and how her work evolved through an engagement with both landscape and gesture. Her ability to balance spontaneity with formal rigour creates works that feel both immediate and timeless. Whether working in paint, paper, or three-dimensional forms, Thomson consistently brings a bold sense of freedom and exploration to her practice.Over the years, Ann has been the recipient of numerous accolades, including the prestigious Wynne Prize for landscape painting. She has exhibited extensively across Australia and internationally, and her work is held in major public and private collections.In our conversation, we reflect on her fearless approach to art-making, her thoughts on abstraction, and her commitment to making work that resists constraints and expectations. Ann Thomson's career is a testament to the power of following intuition and embracing the unknown.We really appreciate your time, thanks Ann. 

Send us a textIn this episode, we delve into the practice of Sydney-based artist Kyle Murrell, whose abstract works explore the tension between structure and meaning. A 2013 Honours graduate of the National Art School, Murrell has garnered accolades including the John Olsen Prize for Figure Drawing and the Elioth Gruner Prize for Landscape Painting . His process is rooted in drawing, serving as both exploration and regeneration, leading to paintings that deconstruct and obscure subjects through layered mark-making .Murrell's commitment to abstraction earned him the 2019 Defiance Award, granting a residency with the Nock Art Foundation in New Zealand . Represented by Defiance Gallery, his recent exhibitions include New Paintings and the upcoming Always At Every Moment (31 May – 21 June 2025) . Join us as we discuss his evolving practice, the role of repetition, and how drawing sustains his creative journey.Thanks Kyle

Send us a textIn this episode of Art Wank, we speak with Teresa Biet, founder (alongside her husband Andre) and director of Art Incubator – a philanthropic initiative that champions emerging Australian artists through financial support, mentorship, and increased visibility. Teresa shares her deep passion for the arts and her belief in their power to inspire change and foster community. We discuss the origins of Art Incubator, the challenges of sustaining independent arts initiatives, and what draws her to support particular artists. Teresa also reflects on the shifting landscape of contemporary art in Australia and the importance of backing new and diverse voices. Whether you're an artist, curator, or simply an art lover, this episode offers a fascinating look at how individual vision and private support can help shape the future of the visual arts.https://artincubator.com.auTen Fold: A decade of Emerging Art Incubator Artists is on now at Manly Art Gallery and Museum until June 1st 2025Thanks Teresa for your insightful and passionate conversation. 

Send us a textLottie Consalvo is a deeply intuitive and reflective artist whose recent body of work has been profoundly shaped by time spent meditating and working in the Australian bush. Her latest exhibition, Long Dawn, recently shown at her Sydney gallery Nanda Hobbs, reveals the contemplative power of being immersed in nature — where solitude, stillness, and the landscape become integral to her process.In this episode, we speak with Lottie about the evolution of her multidisciplinary practice, which spans painting, sculpture, and video performance. We discuss how her work continues to expand in scale and emotional depth, and how presence, slowness, and imagination are vital tools in her creative life.'How can we see beyond what is visible? To grasp at something intangible, knowing that it exists somewhere on the periphery, but is never fully within reach? Lottie Consalvo doesn't ask us these questions, she dwells in them—urging us to loosen our grip on certainty and open ourselves to the limitless possibilities that exist beyond our definition of reality.' - Nanda HobbsThanks for talking to us Lottie.Please subscribe to our podcast and follow us on Instagram. 

Send us a textIn this episode of Art Wank, we delve into the world of Australian landscape painter David Collins, whose latest solo exhibition, Brevity, is currently on view at Defiance Gallery in Sydney from May 3 to 24, 2025 .Collins has been a significant figure in the Australian art scene since the early 1990s . Residing on Dangar Island in the Hawkesbury River since 1987, his daily interactions with the river—often by rowboat—deeply inform his artistic practice . His works are known for their meditative quality, blending abstraction with a profound sense of place.Brevity continues this exploration, offering a series of paintings that reflect Collins' intimate connection with the Australian landscape. The exhibition showcases his ability to distill vast natural scenes into compositions that are both evocative and restrained.Throughout his career, Collins has participated in numerous residencies, including the Australian Wildlife Conservancy Residency in Queensland and the Nock Art Foundation Residency in New Zealand . His work has been recognised in prestigious awards such as the Wynne Prize and the Salon des Refusés.In our conversation, Collins discusses his artistic journey, the influence of his surroundings, and the themes present in Brevity. He shares insights into his process and the philosophies that underpin his work.Join us as we explore the nuanced landscapes of David Collins and gain a deeper understanding of his contribution to contemporary Australian art.Brevity is on display at Defiance Gallery, 12 Mary Place, Paddington, NSW, until May 24, 2025. For more information, visit defiancegallery.com.

Send us a textIn this episode of Art Wank, we chat with Sydney-based artist Matt Bromhead about his multidisciplinary practice, which blends drawing, sculpture, and painting. Matt's drawings take shape through layered mulberry paper, homemade rice glue, and marks influenced by Chinese calligraphy. Known for his delicate use of materials and intuitive approach to mark-making, he shares insights into his process, inspirations, and the ways his work explores form, space, and texture.We chat about: 

Send us a textArt Wank Podcast – Oliver Abbott Welcome back to Art Wank! In this episode, we chat with Sydney-based artist Oliver Abbott, whose latest exhibition, Mine, is currently showing at Dominik Mersch Gallery.Oliver's practice explores memory and its distortions, using digital world-building tools to reconstruct remembered spaces. His background in filmmaking, animation, and architecture feeds into his work, blending virtual environments with painting to create speculative spaces that sit between reality and imagination.We discuss: 

Send us a textJanis Clarke's exhibition at Olsen Gallery, The Other Sun, opens March 5th - 29th March 2025. Janis Clarke, born in 1983 in Sydney, Australia, is a distinguished contemporary artist renowned for his evocative oil paintings that delve into the nuances of perception and memory. His academic journey in the arts commenced with an Advanced Diploma of Performance Art from JMC Academy in 2003. He further honed his craft at the National Art School in Darlinghurst, NSW, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts between 2013 and 2015, followed by a Master of Fine Arts from 2016 to 2017 under the mentorship of Dr. Andrew Donaldson.Clarke's work is characterised by tightly composed scenes that capture fleeting moments and introspective reflections. His paintings often present minimalist landscapes and interiors, prompting viewers to engage deeply with the act of observation. Working predominantly at night, Clarke translates his personal experiences and memories into visual narratives, emphasising the stillness and introspection inherent in nocturnal settings.His solo exhibitions have been met with critical acclaim. Notably, in 2023, he presented Living a Life That's Perfectly Still at the Olsen Annexe in Sydney. This exhibition featured works like Full Moon and House, Blue House, and Window and Pink Lampshade, which encapsulate his exploration of light, shadow, and the subtleties of everyday scenes. The exhibition invited viewers to contemplate the act of seeing, not through detailed realism but through the lived experience of looking.Clarke's artistic excellence has been recogniSed through his participation in numerous group exhibitions and art prizes. He was a finalist in the prestigious Archibald Prize in 2024, showcasing his portrait Beckah in the Studio, which depicted musician Beckah Amani. The portrait captured Amani's strength and resilience, reflecting Clarke's ability to convey complex emotions through minimalist compositions. Additionally, Clarke has been a finalist in other esteemed competitions, including the Mosman Art Prize and the Paddington Art Prize, underscoring his significant presence in the Australian art scene.His works are part of notable collections, such as the Zimmermann Permanent Collection, the Macquarie Group Permanent Collection, and the National Art School Permanent Collection in Sydney. 

Send us a textIn this episode of Art Wank, we chat with George Hartley, co-founder of Bluethumb, Australia's largest online art marketplace. George shares insights into the business side of art, the evolution of Bluethumb, and how artists can leverage online platforms to build their careers. From navigating the digital art world to understanding collector trends, this episode is packed with valuable advice for artists at all stages of their careers.'We represent over 30,000 emerging and established artists from Australia and work with 20 of Australia's most remote Aboriginal Art Centres to give you access to more Australian artists and their art than anywhere else in the world.We have sold over 110,000 original Australian artworks to everyone; from first time art buyers to established collectors and Australia's finest architecture firms.But this is just the first chapter in our story.'Thanks George!

Send us a textSteve Lopes “I try to deal with the figure and the landscape together. For me, it's about the relationship we have with our surrounds. The tensionbetween the two both visually and metaphorically is what makes itinteresting to tackle as a subject.”   Steve Lopes Born in Sydney, Lopes trained in both Australia and the UK, refining a unique visual language that blends elements of traditional landscape painting with an expressive, contemporary edge. His work is often informed by extensive field studies and travel, particularly to remote locations. He sketches and paints en plein air, later developing large-scale studio works that evoke memory, movement, and human connection to the land.Lopes' compositions have a cinematic quality—his figures, often rendered in thick, impasto brushstrokes, appear caught in fleeting, introspective moments. His work is deeply influenced by history, migration, and the changing nature of identity, making his paintings both personal and universally resonant.A highly regarded artist, Lopes has exhibited widely in Australia and internationally. His work is held in major public and private collections, and he has been a finalist in prestigious art prizes, including the Archibald and Wynne Prizes.Join us as we discuss Lopes' artistic journey, his approach to storytelling through paint, and the influences that have shaped his dynamic practice.Thanks for talking to us, Steve. 

Send us a textWe interviewed artist Justin Williams at COMA Gallery in Marrickville, Sydney, during his solo show, Waiting for Lavender, on until 22nd February 2025.Justin lives and works in Santa Fe, New Mexico, splitting his time between there and a studio in Paris. We had a great conversation about his journey as an artist, including his early years working in New York. His work is narrative-driven, deeply personal, and rooted in family histories, with multiple stories overlapping within a single painting. He employs a belt sander to disrupt the surface after painting, allowing him to push and pull layers, creating unexpected textures and depth.Thanks for talking to us, Justin, we look forward to watching your career flourish. 

Send us a textMyfanwy Gullifer is represented by King Street Gallery in Sydney. We had a great time chatting with Myf over Zoom before Christmas while she was at her farm in Walcha, NSW. We discussed her ceramic art practice, the challenges of being an artist, balancing life between the farm and the city, and much more.Thanks Myf. Her show will be later in 2025 at King St. Gallery. 'Myfanwy Gullifer graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne.Myfanwy's upcoming 2025 solo exhibition at King Street Gallery on William will showcase a new series of porcelain works. Please register your interest at art@kingstreetgallery.com for a preview.Her work has been exhibited at the Melbourne Art Fair, the Korean International Art Fair and various regional gallery shows such as Interconnected at New England Regional Art Museum, 2022; Paint my place at Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, 2016; and In [two] Art at Maitland Regional Gallery, 2012, which toured across New South Wales.In 2019, Myfanwy was a finalist in Still: National Still Life Award at Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, and in 2016, the same gallery awarded her the Artist in Residence at Moonee Beach.Her work can be found in various public and private collections from across Australia, such as the New England Regional Art Gallery, Tamworth Regional Gallery, the Laverty Collection and the Open-Air Gallery, Walcha, where she lives and works. Notably, in 2010, Newcastle Art Gallery acquired two of her sculptures on behalf of the Les Renfrew Bequest, which were subsequently exhibited in Clash: Contemporary Sculptural Ceramics at Newcastle Art Gallery.King Street Gallery has represented Myfanwy since 2012.' King Street Gallery

Send us a textBefore Christmas 2024, we had the pleasure of speaking with Nick Smith at his N.Smith Gallery, located at 15 Foster St, Surry Hills, Sydney. Nick is an engaging conversationalist and clearly passionate about his work. He established the gallery in 2021, and it has since grown into one of Sydney's most respected and celebrated art spaces. During our chat, Nick shared his journey in the art world, which began with a role at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., followed by experience working in contemporary galleries before finally opening his own. It's been an incredible and ongoing adventure! 'N.Smith Gallery is a contemporary art gallery located in Sydney, Australia, that currently represents more than 20 artists and collectives, offering curatorial, collection, and management service advice to museums, corporate, foundations and private clients.The gallery has been home to culturally-significant exhibitions across a variety of media and genres, and has facilitated and participated in projects across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, India, Germany, France, UK, and the USA.In 2021, N.Smith opened the eponymous gallery on Napier Street, Paddington in a former church community hall. In 2024, during the opening week of the Biennale of Sydney, Smith relocated the gallery from Paddington to the vibrant Surry Hills, expanding the gallery's footprint and ambition.Dedicated to living artists, the gallery has and is fostering the careers of some of the most influential artists working today, and plans to maintain long-term representation of the artists we work with.Supporting culture is at the heart of what we do. Beyond the walls of the gallery we support various arts organisations to achieve their mission, including visual arts, music, theatre,  film, and publishing. N.Smith Gallery is a proud member of the Indigenous Art Code of Conduct.'N.Smith Gallery 

Send us a textGary discovered the Alveston Gallery in Notting Hill, London, during his travels and was drawn to the work of Teddy Hansen, who was exhibiting at the time. After a conversation with Fergus Downey, the gallery owner, Gary arranged a Zoom meeting with Teddy to learn more about his practice.We're releasing this podcast just ahead of the London Art Fair, where the Alveston Gallery will be showcasing Teddy's work.In our conversation, Teddy shared insights into the influence of Danish culture on his art, his experiences as a young artist in London, and his exciting plans for the future.'Teddy Hansen's comically surreal wall-hangings celebrate the power of escapist art. Inspiring laughter and perplexity, he infuses natural imagery with absurd narrative to convey a wild sense of humour and a rampant obsession with frogs.Having studied at Falmouth and Leeds University, Hansen began his artistic journey with painting and embroidery before developing into the realm of rug-tufting. During the creation process, each piece follows a dream-like narrative which becomes increasingly complex as the work unfolds. Ultimately, it is this sense of unpredictability that fuels Hansen's vision, culminating in an immersive and arresting aesthetic.Above all, Hansen strives to emphasise the importance of humour and experimentation by encouraging audiences to take his rugs at face value. Instead of inspiring any kind of hidden notions, they are designed with the sole purpose of evoking joyful escapism.' - Alveston GalleryThanks for the chat, Teddy! We wish you all the best in your future.

Send us a textNasim Nasr is an Iranian-born Australian artist whose work focuses on the issues facing her home country of Iran and the challenges she has experienced as a woman and female artist. These circumstances ultimately led her to leave Iran at the age of 25. Nasim relocated to Australia with her younger siblings, where she has built a life for herself and her family while establishing herself as a prominent artist.Working across photography, installation, and performance, Nasim has gained significant recognition, with her works recently acquired by the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney. We had the pleasure of speaking with Nasim about her life journey and her beautiful, thought-provoking art. Enjoy listening to her story, and feel free to reach out to Nasim to see her work or for a studio visit. 'Biography:Born in Tehran, Iran 1984Moved to Adelaide, Australia 2009,  Currently lives and works in SydneySince graduating with a Master Visual Arts (Research), University South Australia, 2011, Nasim Nasr's art practice has sought to comment upon the transience of cultural identities. With an interest in cultural relationships in contemporary society, her artworks have engaged themes of intercultural dialogue and perspective between the historical and contemporary. Using video, photography, performance,  3D objects and sound, these works highlight notions of cultural difference as experienced in her past and present homelands, between West and East and seeks to create a harmony between the two.Nasim Nasr is a third time finalist at Fisher's Ghost Art Award and will exhibit at Campbelltown Art Centre Oct-Dec 2024 with her new light box; Impulse 2024, In March 2024 Nasr won AUSTRALIAN CONTEMPORARY ARTIST OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD from the Art's Minister Tony Burke and Shadow Art Minister Paul Fletcher at the Paliment House, Canberra. Nasr's latest video work ‘Impulse' was presented at the 2023 Adelaide Independent Film Festival where it won the best Micro Short Film Award, and was in the official selection at the 2023 A Shaded View on Fashion Film Festival Awards in Paris. In 2017 Nasr won People's Choice Award in The William and Winifred Bowness Photography Art Prize, Monash Art Gallery Melbourne, and her Women in Shadow II video documentation won an award at the 10th Anniversary Edition, A Shaded View on Fashion Film, Maison Jean Paul Gaultier and Club De L'Etoile, Paris, France in 2018. Nasr exhibited in the inaugural Triennial of Asia: We Do Not Dream Alone, Asia Society Museum in New York, October 2020–June 2021, her latest solo presentation Impulse at Mars Gallery, Melbourne March-April 2023. She exhibited at Photo London, Somerset House, London in May 2023. Nasr's latest photograph Impulse (2023) was reproduced on the front cover of ART COLLECTOR magazine in Australia, issue 104 included 8pp profile story on her practice.'

Send us a textGary first met Wayne and Marina through artist and previous podcast guest Tony Mighell. We spoke to them over zoom a few weeks ago from their home in Melbourne. Thanks for speaking to us about your artwork and time in the art centres near Alice Springs. Wayne Eager is represented by Australian Galleries - 'Wayne Eager is a gestural artist, absorbed with form, colour and texture. His method is based on the accretion of subsequent layers from which his paintings find their form. He was a founding member of the dynamic artist-run-exhibiting space, Roar Studios, in Fitzroy, Melbourne, the first such venture in Australia. His early works were exhibited there in 1982.Eager has spent much of his career living and working in the remote Central Australian Desert. His experience of the light and unique features of the Northern Territory landscape have been the fundamental foundation to his oeuvre over the last 30 years.In 2021, Eager relocated back to semi-rural life in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. In the same year, the artist was honored by a 30-year survey exhibition, ‘Bitumen and Dirt', which opened at the Charles Darwin University Gallery, Darwin, and then travelled to the Araluen Art Centre in Alice Springs.'Marina Strocchi is also represented by Australian Galleries - 'In 2021 Marina Strocchi returned to her home town Melbourne after a twenty-nine year sojourn in the Northern Territory. Strocchi was closely involved in supporting the development of a number of First Nations artists, initially through establishing the Ikuntji Art Centre in 1992 and then working with the Kintore women to catalyse their painting which led to a vigorous output through Papunya Tula. During these decades she developed her painting responses to the remote landscapes and narratives that are unique to the Central Desert. Strocchi has held over forty solo exhibitions including a Northern Territory touring survey exhibition with an accompanying catalogue. Awarded an ARTS NT Fellowship in 2019 Strocchi had a three month residency in New York City. Now settled in the Yarra Valley Strocchi is responding to memories of that experience and absorbing her new environment.

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Send us a textToday's podcast features James Winter, the visionary co-founder and director of Brand X, which has been creating affordable spaces for artists since 2005. With a background in dramatic and performing arts, James recognized a need for reliable, affordable rehearsal and creative spaces, leading him to establish Brand X over 20 years ago. We spoke with James about the changing face of Sydney and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on artists. He shared why he founded Brand X, how it operates, and his concerns about the lack of diverse arts programming in the city. James highlighted how this gap could lead to fewer opportunities for unique, high-quality art to be created and showcased in Sydney, ultimately affecting the city's cultural landscape. Brand X now manages the City of Sydney Creative Studios, offering a wide range of subsidised spaces for musicians, dancers, actors, and artists, available for both short-term and long-term hire in the heart of Sydney. Each year, Brand X also organizes Petite Suite, a performance residency set in a hotel. Fiona and I attended this year, and it was an incredible experience!Currently running is The Flying Nun, another Brand X initiative, which we highly recommend. For just $25, you can see these unique performances. The Flying Nun provides performing arts residencies where each project receives $2,600, a week in the venue, and a two-night performance run, keeping the majority of box office revenue. Grab your tickets here! Brand x - We re-purpose empty properties so performing, recording and visual artists can practice their craft.'We do this by working with Property Developers, Landlords and Local Governments to transform empty spaces into cultural places that allow artists to contribute, flourish and be sustainable in the community. We are driven by the belief that artists, when given appropriate space, inspire a renewed sense of belonging, harmony and pride of place for the entire community.Brand X provides subsidised workspace and creative development programs alongside facilities for hire where artists can traverse the entire creative process from development to presentation. We maintain a charter that is relevant and responsive to the Independent Arts sector dealing specifically with arts-practice sustainability, skills development and capacity building.Our objective is to afford artists the opportunity to take risks, innovate and to create work. This is achieved by offering artists affordable rates for hire, residencies and opportunities for income-generation through our activation projects. By providing Independent Artists with support while reinvigorating local communities we stimulate a vibrant cultural life for Sydney.'

Send us a textThank you to artist Tom Carment for speaking with us on Art Wank! We visited Tom at his home in Sydney and talked about his long career as an artist. He predominantly paints outdoors, carrying a backpack filled with supplies and capturing interesting sights along the way—whether it's a jacaranda tree, rooftops, or a unique view. His work is like a visual diary, immediate and in the moment. When he paints at home, he often focuses on the everyday, like typewriters, eggs, and vegetables—anything at hand.Tom is also a prolific and gifted writer so check out his website to read some of his works. He is represented by King Street Gallery in Sydney. 'Tom Carment was born in Sydney in 1954. He studied for one year at Julian Ashton Art School in 1973. Tom is a painter of landscapes, portraits, and still lifes, and is also a writer. His pictures have been exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions since the 1970s, and his stories and essays have been published nationally. During the 1980s, he lived overseas for four years in Africa (Zimbabwe and Zambia) and in France, returning to Sydney in 1988.Tom has been represented by King Street Gallery since 1993. With his most recent solo exhibition ‘The Long Way Round' in October 2023.Tom's portraits have been selected for the Archibald Prize twelve times, and his landscapes for the Wynne Prize eight times. His works are held by the Art Gallery of NSW, City of Melbourne Art & Heritage Collection, NSW State Parliament, State Library of NSW, Kedumba Drawing Collection, Macquarie Group Collection and many others.Tom was the winner of the 2014 NSW Parliament Plein Air Painting Prize, the 2008 Gallipoli Art Prize and the 2005 Mosman Art Prize. Over one hundred of Tom's works were shown at the 2014 Dobell Australian Drawing Biennial at the Art Gallery of NSW. In 2008 the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery held a survey of his work entitled, People, Paddocks, Coastlines.From 2004-06 Tom worked on a commission for the City of Melbourne to document in words, paintings and drawings the construction of Council House 2 – the ‘greenest' office building in Australia.Tom's work is a reportage on his life – the external environment through his landscapes, the internal environment and friendships through his still lifes and portraits. Tom's pictures are usually small in scale and notable for their sensitive interpretation of light. Nearly all of his works are painted and drawn from life.Tom's published books include Days and Nights in Africa (1985), Seven Walks – Cape Leeuwin to Bundeena (2014) and Womerah Lane – Lives and Landscapes (October 2019).Tom currently resides in Sydney, NSW.' King Street Gallery Website 

Send us a textWe're excited to celebrate our 200th episode of Art Wank with the incredible Idris Murphy During our visit to Idris' home studio, we had a captivating conversation about his journey as an artist and his thought-provoking philosophies on art and painting. Idris is a bold, well-read artist who constantly pushes the limits of his practice, and our discussion was truly inspiring. A big thank you to Idris for his time.Idris is represented by King Street on William  in Sydney‘Idris Murphy is a contemporary figurative landscape painter born in 1949, Sydney. He graduated from National Art School with a diploma in Painting in 1971, and then became the institution's Head of Drawing in 1997.Idris completed a Doctor of Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong in NSW and a Graduate Diploma (Education), SCAE, in Sydney whilst he was Head of Painting at the College of Fine Art from 1988-2007. In 1982, Murphy was a lecturer at the University of Wollongong, NSW, and was instrumental in establishing the printmaking department of the newly founded School of Creative Arts.From 1976-1977, Idris completed his Postgraduate studies in painting & printmaking at Winchester College of Art, UK. To date, Murphy has had 40 solo exhibitions across Australia and internationally. Idris' survey show I & Thou: Survey Exhibition 1986-2008 was exhibited at King Street Gallery in Sydney, Hazlehurst Regional Art Gallery and Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery, NSW. In 2022, a major retrospective of Idris' work Backblocks was exhibited at the ANU Drill Hall Gallery from August 16, 2022 which then travelled to Orange Regional Art Gallery and the National Trust S.H. Ervin Gallery, in 2023.Idris has been represented by King Street Gallery since 1993.Intrinsic to Murphy's art making process is an engagement with the environment which surrounds him, and by extension, his en plein air practice. Murphy explains that his ‘expeditions' through the Australian bush ‘offer him enough to last a lifetime'. (Catalogue Essay, 2017, Gregor Sloss) His work aims to ‘transform an already imagined landscape' (Sloss, 2017). Murphy's practice attempts to mirror Indigenous respect for the Australian landscape. Murphy suggests that an Indigenous Australian landscape painting is a reinvigoration of the landscape and is sustained by its Dreamings.Murphy's work can be found in a number of public, state and corporate collections such as the ANU University Drill Hall Collection, Art Gallery of New South Wales, State Library NSW, Artbank, Allens Collection, and the Westpac Collection.Idris' studio is located in Kurnell, Sydney.' - King st Gallery website 

Send us a textTanya Linney currently has a show, 'Cocoon', on at CBD gallery, Erskine St., Sydney until 9th November 2024. 'Tanya Linney is a Sydney/Gadigal based multi-disciplinary artist. Passionate about the representation of the everyday and domesticity through the lens of historical art references . Linney looks to transform the materiality of paint and gesture through multiple processes developed on the studio floor. A tension between conscious and coincidental mark making anchors these works.Linney is a graduate of The National Art School, Sydney (2017-2020) . She has exhibited her works in Australia and internationally and has been a finalist in numerous art prizes including The Sir William Dobell National Drawing Prize, The Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize, Omnia Art Prize The Waverly Art Prize, Redlands Art Award, The Alice Art Prize and The Fisher's Ghost Art Award, and she was the winner of the Richard Luchesse Abstract Painting Prize. Publications of her work have been featured in Vogue Living, Belle Magazine, RUSSH, Pan and The Dream (New York) and The Sydney Morning Herald.'Thanks Tanya and good luck with the future.

Send us a textDeirdre Bean We interviewed Deirdre in her home studio in Newcastle surrounded by her wonderful paintings. We spoke to her about residencies, techniques of her work, working with Margaret Olleys objects for her current show at Tweed Regional gallery, her PHD in drawing mangrove species, creating an Australian postage stamp, and much more…She currently has a show on at Tweed Regional gallery, ‘Domestica', which is on until 17th November. Deirdre has been recently selected as a finalist in the 2024 Portia Geach exhibition at SH Ervin gallery. Congratulations!‘Inspired by the natural world, Deirdre has always been fascinated with intricate details and perfect forms that the eye sometimes misses.Her attention to detail and considered compositions continue to be features of her work.Watercolour applied to paper or vellum with a fine-pointed sable brush are traditional materials Bean uses to illustrate the complexities of the botanical world. She spent seven years researching Australia's mangrove species for which she was awarded a PhD from the University of Newcastle. Deirdre has broadened her subject matter to include military paraphernalia after artists' trips to Gallipoli and the Western Front.Since 2020, Deirdre has been working with oil paint, a medium she has returned to after many years. Since then she has been a finalist in the Muswellbrook Art Prize, the Calleen Art Award and the Portia Geach Memorial Award for portraiture. In 2022, she was the winner of the Gallipoli Art Prize. Her work is held in major collections including the Hunt Institute of Botanical Documentation, Pittsburgh, USA: The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London: The Shirley Sherwood Collection, Oxford, UK: Parliament House, Canberra: Australia Post: The Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney: Gallipoli Club, Sydney.'Deirdre is represented by Stella Downer Fine Art, Sydney 

Send us a textWe had the pleasure of interviewing Euan in his studio, where we were immersed in his incredible artworks and drawings. Euan shared insights into his life as an artist, his views on the art world, and his creative process. With a career spanning over 50 exhibitions and numerous accolades, his achievements speak for themselves. See more below!  Thanks for your time Euan. Euan is represented by King Street on William in Sydney. Euan and photographer Craig Potton have collaborated on a stunning hardcover book ‘Look Out', capturing the awe inspiring landscape and thought-provoking human connection to the iconic Southern Alps of New Zealand.Available now with signed limited edition etching. Contact the gallery via email art@kingstreetgallery.com.Euan is also represented by Niagara Galleries in Victoria, Bowen and PG Galleries in NZ. 'Euan Macleod was born in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1956. He was awarded a Diploma of Fine Arts (Painting) by the Ilam School of Fine Arts, Canterbury University, in 1979, before moving to Sydney in 1981. He has held more than fifty solo shows in New Zealand and Australia and has taken part in numerous group exhibitions in Australasia and internationally.Euan's work is represented in many private and public collections, including the National Gallery of Australia, Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand, and the Metropolitan Museum, New York. Euan has won art prizes in Australia, including the Archibald in 1999, the Sulman Prize in 2001, the Blake Prize in 2006, the New South Wales Parliament's inaugural Plein Air painting prize in 2008, the Tattersall's Landscape Prize in 2000 and 2009, the Gallipoli Art Prize, 2009, and the King's School Art Prize in 2011.In 2010 Piper Press, Sydney, published a monograph, Euan Macleod: the Painter in the Painting, written by Gregory O'Brien. Surface Tension: the art of Euan Macleod 1991-2009, a Tweed River Art Gallery touring exhibition, curated by Gavin Wilson, toured six regional Australian galleries, beginning at the S H Irvin Gallery, Sydney, in November 2010.The touring exhibition, Euan Macleod - Painter, curated by Gregory O'Brien, travelled to several New Zealand regional galleries between 2014 and 2017.​In 2019 Macleod collaborated on High Wire, a book of drawings and words, with Lloyd Jones. It was published in 2020.' -Euan Macleod website 

Send us a textJulie recently sat down with Michelle Grey and Susan Armstrong, the co-founders of Arts Matter, for an interview. Unfortunately, Gary couldn't join as he is currently overseas.Arts Matter is a membership platform that offers a series of intimate programs in contemporary spaces around Sydney. What Michelle and Susan have built is truly remarkable. They come from diverse backgrounds, yet both are perfectly suited to running this kind of platform. Their impressive CVs speak for themselves, and we're fortunate to have them creating such a dynamic, multidisciplinary arts program in Sydney.When are you signing up?!!!'Arts-Matter is a membership platform that hosts a series of intimate programs in contemporary Sydney spaces with the creative minds shaping our shifting culture. Through a series of thoughtfully curated conversations and experiences spanning the cultural gamut - from art, music, fashion, film, theatre, dance and literature - we cultivate community, spark debate, and thrive on bridging cultural, social and gender divides.But most importantly … we've always believed the best part about Arts-Matter is our incredible community of members, creatives, friends and family. While our programs are always about supporting the cultural arts, community is at the heart of everything we do.'Thanks for speaking to us ladies and keep doing what you are doing!!

Send us a textGary Seller (co-host of Art Wank) wanted to interview us—Julie and Fiona—about our practices and the podcast. Its been a smooth transition as Gary joins the podcast, and Fiona steps back to focus on her commitments at NAS. Gary delves into the origins of the podcast and its future direction.Fiona shares her experience of returning to university as a mature-age student and gives insights into life at art school. Julie discusses her evolving art practice over the past few years.Enjoy...

Send us a Text Message.What an incredible collection! Gary and I visited their fantastic terrace house in Erskineville, where every wall is adorned with art. Tune in now to discover how they built their collection, the day jobs that support their passion, how they select each piece, and what they hope their legacy will be. It's a great conversation with two fascinating individuals—thank you, Gordon and Michael! 'The Elliott Eyes Collection (TEEC) of contemporary art is housed in a private Victorian terrace house in Erskineville, Sydney NSW.The collection of approximately 400 works (sculpture, painting and ceramics) focuses mainly on Australian and New Zealand art, but also includes work by German, Belgium, American, South African and English artists, all of which are on display. Four major outdoor sculptures extend the collection beyond the usual interior walls, tables, mantels and, in our case, even the floor of the house. The decision to open tEEC to public tours was prompted by a visit to Terry Stringer's sculpture park “Zealandia” north of Auckland and by our inclusion in Skadi Heckmueller's book, “Private: A Guide to Personal Art Collections in Australia and New Zealand” (Dott Publishing, 2015). It also follows the opening of the Lyon Housemusem and the Justin Art House Museum in Melbourne; both exceptional collections and buildings well worth a visit.It is also motivated by the realization that once works become part of a private collection they can easily be ‘lost' to public view. Sharing these works, and listening to other people's comments and responses adds immensely to the pleasure we are lucky to experience as we engage with and enjoy the collection on a daily basis.The wonderful experience provided by the recent trend of house museums, is that each venue is truly individual and unique; expressing the personal interests and character of the owners/collectors. Allen Weiss in "The Grain of the Clay" (Reaction Books,2016) has described collecting, or a collection, as an autobiographical statement. Unencumbered by the boundaries, rules and bureaucracy of public galleries, the house musem displays the passion of the collector – individualistic, subjective, imaginative and zany.It is important to say that we live permanently with our collection. We are not a museum or a gallery. Artworks are displayed and incorporated into the everyday spaces of our house, working around the normal aspects and tasks of a standard household. We find ourselves drying off in the shower, trying to avoid knocking over Jim Cooper's large ceramic flower and duck or, in quieter moments, spending endless hours trying to decipher just what is going on in Mark Whalon's mysterious and deliciously perverse paintings. Some works are functional – Michael Snape's security door - while others are more traditional, decorative pieces, acquired and admired simply because they are beautiful or significant works in contemporary (Australian) art history. While our collection is constantly growing, sometimes in divergent, unexpected directions, it's central focus is on the figure in the landscape. This theme is only loosely adhered to, so an outlier work of art can easily capture our attention and find it's way into the collection. Some works are ‘serious' (e.g. our obsession with the 1950s and 1960s paintings by James Gleeson) and others are just ‘fun' (e.g. Madeleine Child's ceramic popcorn).'

Send us a Text Message.A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of interviewing Rachel in her home studio in Newcastle, NSW. Thank you for having us and treating us to a lovely lunch.'Rachel Milne is a professional fine art painter based in Newcastle, NSW. Rachel specialises in figurative and observational oil painting, in the style of the impressionists, mainly focusing on the genre Intimism. Originally from the UK Rachel now lives and works in Newcastle, Australia. Before leaving the UK Rachel exhibited regularly with the Royal West of England Academy and is now represented by the King Street Gallery on William, Sydney and the Sophie Gannon Gallery in MelbourneRachel paints in all genres but is best known for her Intimist impressionist fine art interior paintings – room paintings and studio paintings – paintings of the everyday clutter of a working and living space.'

Send us a Text Message.Gary and Julie spoke to Ross over zoom not long after his exhibition, 'Moonlight -Daylight', at King Street on William gallery in Sydney. Ross Laurie is represented by King Street on William Gallery, Sydney.'Laurie has won the inaugural Norville Prize for Landscape Painting, the COFA Print Award at the Paddington Art Prize and the Kings School Art Prize. He has also been selected as a finalist in the Dobell Drawing Biennial and the Wynne Prize, both at the Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney. Notably, Laurie's work has been selected for the Salon des Refuses ten times between 1995 and 2019.The artist's work can be found in numerous state and corporate collections such as Artbank, AGNSW, National Gallery of Australia, New England Regional Art Museum, Tamworth Regional Gallery, the Laverty Collection Sydney, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Macquarie Bank Collection and NRMA Sydney.Ross Laurie's 2020 solo exhibition at King Street Gallery ‘engaged the drought and it did so deeply. Many of the paintings in “Dry at Walcha” were suffused with the glow of pink light. But it was the arid stain of ash rather than nostalgia or eros that made these works glower' (Anna Johnson, 2022). Lauries last major body of work and solo exhibition ‘After Storms And Rain' 2022 ‘found a harder, brighter palette but also bolder geometric forms' (Anna Johnson, 2022).“It might be accurate to say that my work echoes the structure of the land. The verticals in tree forms. Multiple horizons. Forms and shapes embedded from childhood memories. I don't draw in order to paint. If I do draw I'm after a way to help me see. There is no scaffolding.” (Ross Laurie, 2022)Ross Laurie joined King Street Gallery in 2014. He lives and works on his family farm, Rams Gully, in Walcha NSW.'

Send us a Text Message.We welcome you back to a new season of Art Wank, hosted by Julie Nicholson and Gary Seller. We interviewed three finalists of the 2024 Northern Beaches Environmental Art & Design Prize at Manly Art Gallery and Museum. The finalist exhibition is on now at Manly Gallery, Curl Curl Creative Space and Mona Vale Art Space.We interviewed artists Zorica Purjila, Julien Playoust and Janet Taverner about their finalist artwork and their art practice. Enjoy the podcast and check out their websites below -Zorica PurjilaJulien PlayoustJanet Taverner 

Send us a Text Message.'Mook Simpson, a Sydney artist known for his unique blend of humour and quiet social commentary, is about to launch his latest exhibition, "Pretty Unsettling," at Damien Minton Presents. The show features a collision of iconic Australian landscapes and fantastical creatures, challenging perceptions of history and memory. Simpson's studio practice reimagines classic works from the Heidelberg School, inserting unexpected monsters into these beloved Australian scenes. This results in works that are bothfamiliar and strangely unsettling, prompting viewers to question their own recollections of the past.Simpson's artistic endeavours aren't bound by Heidelberg incursions. After completing murals in downtown Los Angeles, Simpson returned to Sydney and embarked on a series of “unauthorised nocturnal en-plein-air" painting sessions on building site hoardings. After a brief encounter with the law – and subsequent positive collaborations with the city council and the building sites themselves, we have the large scale pieces at the centre of this show. The exhibition, "Pretty Unsettling," brings together eleven of Simpson's reimagined works, alongside the two hoarding murals and companion ceramic sculptures. The show promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of Australian identity, memory, and the anxieties lurking beneath the surface.Simpson, a former creative director in the animation industry, has garnered attention for his distinctive style and finalist placements in the Adelaide Parklands Art Prize and Maritime Art Prize. "Pretty Unsettling" marks a significant step in his burgeoning artistic career.'Exhibition Details:● Title: "Pretty Unsettling" By Mook Simpson● Opening Event: June 25, 2024, 6pm-8pm● Open: June 26th - July 6th 2024. Wednesday - Saturday. 11 am to 6pm.● Location: 50 Buckingham St, Surry Hills, Sydney - Damien Minton Presents● Website: Damien Minton PresentsMedia Contact:Mook (aka Mark) Simpsonhello@mooksimpson.com+61406470964Folder of Images for your convenienceLink to China's Van Gogh's documentary - here 

Send us a Text Message.We interviewed Tony Twigg, artist, who has been running Slot Window Gallery for 25 years! We had a great chat with Tony about his art practice, running the gallery and the art world. The current exhibition at Slot is a collaboration between tony and artist Alfredo Aquilizan which runs until 5th July 2024.Thanks Tony, we appreciate your time. 

Amanda Penrose Hart is an artist, represented by King Street Gallery, Sydney, Phillp Bacon in Brisbane and Yallingup Gallery in WA.  Thanks for talking to us and for the wonderful lunch at your place! 'Brisbane born artist Amanda Penrose Hart is predominantly a landscape painter. Penrose Hart graduated from Queensland College of Art in 1983 with a Diploma of Fine Art, and then again from Griffith University in 1991, with a Bachelor of Visual Arts.Travelling, and en plein air practice is intrinsic to Amanda's work; she extrapolates the significance of a place through her work. Dr Andrew Frost suggests she evokes a familiarity with landscapes unseen, by connecting the audiences personal experience with her interpretations of (to date) Australian and European landscapes.Penrose Hart has featured in numerous selective group exhibitions, more often than not following artist trip's or artist-run projects such as Your Friend the Enemy, and Salient (both commemorative exhibitions of the Great War), and River on the Brink: Inside the Murray Darling Basin, which aimed to raise awareness for the impacts of drought and climate change in Australia.Amanda won the Gallipoli Art Prize in 2017 and the Clayton Utz Award in 2019. Amanda has also been a finalist in the Tattersalls Landscape Prize, Kings School Art Prize, the Salon des Refusés and NSW Parliament en Plein air, as well as the Portia Geach Memorial Award, the Kedumba Drawing Award, Muswellbrook Art Prize, and the Kilgour Art Prize.' - Amandas website 

Thanks to this weeks guest on the podcast, Zoe McPhail Prineas, an MFA student that Fiona met at NAS. we interviewed her at her solo show at Laila gallery in Sydney. 'Zoë graduated from the National Art School in Darlinghurst in 2023, having completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Upon completing her undergraduate degree, Zoë was awarded the Bird Holocomb Foundation Master of Fine Art Scholarship. Her postgraduate studies in a Masters of Fine Arts will commence in 2024.“Art has always punctuated my life, though it wasn't until I went to NAS [The National Art School] that it became my dominant language. One month into NAS, I was calling myself an artist, and seeing the world with a new perception and sense of freedom. I've always had a lot to say, and art allows me to express things visually.I chose printmaking as my studio specialisation, and was introduced to the field of expanded printmaking by our head of department. The field of expanded printmaking strips back the medium to the basic idea of the “trace”. I began to understand that print was anything that left a mark. Printmaking also has such strong ties to culture, as it has historically been a means for cultural production (think newspapers and billboards). I love to use this insight as a foundation of my practice.”' - UTSVERTIGO 2024 by Raphaella KatzenThanks Zoe and all the best for your Masters, we cant wait to see what happens next for you…

Fiona and I are currently showing at Stella Downer Fine Arts Gallery in Waterloo, NSW, and so we thought it was a great opportunity to speak to Stella about her illustrious career as a Gallery Owner and Art Valuer. Our work is on show until June 8th 2024. 'Stella Downer is a respected art dealer, consultant and valuer. Stella has worked with leading contemporary galleries for over thirty years. Stella was the manager in Sydney of Roslyn Oxley 9 gallery, Macquarie Galleries and Australian Galleries before opening her own gallery in 2001.​Previously Stella has worked in the auction industry managing sections of Christies London and Christies Australia. Stella has been a member of the S.H.Ervin Art Advisory Committee Sydney for over twenty years and was also on the board of the South East Area Health Service. Since 2001 she has been a member of the Woollahra Small Sculpture Committee helping organise their annual shows. Stella's other board commitments have included the Australian Centre for Asian Art and Archaeology, University of Sydney. A supporter of the National Art School Sydney, Stella was on the Accreditation Board to assess their standing for BA Fine Arts. Stella is a valuer for the Australian Governement Cultural Gifts Program. Her extensive knowledge of, and experience in, the Australian and international art world ensures that she is regarded as one of the top valuers within this organisation.'Thanks for speaking to us Stella and having our work exhibited at your gallery. 

Many thanks to Armando for such a great chat on the podcast we really appreciate hearing about your art practise and how you have developed your career. Find Armando on his website https://armandochant.comor social media https://www.instagram.com/armando_chant/?hl=en

Thanks to Nick Vickers for speaking to us from See Street Gallery at Meadowbank TAFE. Phillip Martin's exhibition, 'Paintings 1952-1972', is on at See Street until 16th May. 'Nick Vickers BA Visual Art, Dip. Ed, M.Art AdminNick Vickers has been involved in the Australian art industry for over 30 years when he established his first gallery through UNSW Art & Design in 1984. Throughout Nick's career he has championed the works of emerging artists by establishing a number of galleries through universities and art colleges. He has presented, curated and hosted national and international artists and he has lectured in tertiary, intermediary and secondary institutions.Nick has contributed to the curatorial expanse of the University of Sydney Art Collection where, through his expertise as Curator of the University Union art collection, he added works of some considerable cultural significance. He established the Sir Hermann Black Gallery & Sculpture Terrace through which he hosted and curated ten years of highly rated art exhibitions and prizes that included The Blake Prize and The Freedman Foundation annual exhibitions.On a local government level Nick has served on curatorial panels with the City of Sydney, Willoughby, North Sydney (Creative Spaces/ Spaces for Creatives) and Woollahara Councils (Creative Paddington and The Oxford Street Shopfront Festival). He was invited to co-ordinate The Art of Shakespeare, a fundraising touring exhibition of some of Australia's leading artists that launched in the Sydney Opera House.On an international level, Nick has served as President of the Slovenian/ Australian Institute that has hosted a program of international art ex- changes and touring exhibitions. In this role Nick negotiated sponsorships and partnerships at ambassadorial and ministerial levels.During his career Nick has developed a strong network of arts and business professionals. He is panel member with The Freedman Foundation, advises on the artist studio for Curwoods Lawyers and has served as a board member with The Blake Society for over ten years and lectures in Museum Practices.Currently, Nick works as an independent art curator and is a pro bono board member of the Sydney Art Zone. In 2016 Nick co-curated an exhibition called WAR – A Playground Perspective at The Armoury at Sydney Olympic Park and this year has been invited back by SOPA to curate an exhibition from the studio residency programme entitled Mining Pyrite. This year Nick has been invited to the panel of judges for the Paddington Art Prize.'Ray Hughes: Africa

Many thanks to Jasmine for chatting to us on zoom - great to talk about your art practise. Jasmine is a professional practicing artist whose work is best described as the meeting of exploration and refinement. Jasmine has taken her art to a number of mediums – sculpture, large-scale public works and intimate paintings for private collection. She is not afraid to venture outside an established comfort zone. Whatever her choice of art form, Mansbridge brings a refined and meticulous hand to the work; her deliberation and contemplation are evident at all times. The work provokes thought and wonder and gives the viewer the chance to apply their personal storytelling, as they unpack the geometry and portals of Mansbridge's imagined world.You can find out more about Jasmine on her website or social media https://www.jasminemansbridge.comhttps://www.instagram.com/jasmine_mansbridge/Jasmine will be showing at Michael Reid Gallery on 4th May 2024

Natalie O'Connor and Jo Mellor are currently showing at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf so you can go check out their work right now! Natalie O'Connor is an artist recently awarded her PHD at UNSW for her thesis, 'The Nature of Redness', which is also the title of Natalie's exhibition at Woollahra.  Natalie O'Connor is an artist, researcher, public programs & education coordinator at Hazelhurst Arts Centre. Her experience in the international colour manufacturing industry has heavily influenced her practice. She holds a Bachelor of Education and Master's degree. Most recently, she was awarded a PhD at UNSW for her thesis, The Nature of Redness- A Practice-Based Research into Red Pigments to Offer a New Understanding of Material Colour.Her practice and thesis are concerned with the permanency and fragility of colour and the technical innovations of the artist's palette that result from a collaborative dialogue between artists and scientists since the early nineteenth century. She engages deeply with the colour red, investigating its materiality and revealing its inherent qualities of colour. By understanding and experiencing the delicacies of each red pigment, scientists explore the potential for colour-making in the future. This allows the new potential for contemporary artists to make informed choices with their palettes to interpret the world around them.  Jo Mellor is also a graduate of UNSW recently a masters in Fine Arts research 'Jo Mellor is a recent graduate of UNSW Art & Design's MFA program. Her MFA project was guided by Aboriginal knowledge provided by Ngiyampaa Elder Aunty Beryl Carmichael. The project applied the methodologies of yarning and deep listening to an expanded textile practice as well as consultation and collaboration with the Menindee Ngiyampaa and Barkandji community. Emerging from this research, Jo's current exhibition, Cobalt and Rust (Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf, 20 March - 14 April 2024) is a critical examination of the ecological crises affecting Broken Hill (Wilyakali Country). Through a textile-based, eco-feminist practice, the exhibition lays bare the devastating consequences of land and water mismanagement by government bodies and corporations who fail to consult with the Traditional Custodians of Country. The textile series in the exhibition presents dense clusters of embroidery that suggest textures of scarred earth, whilst hues of cobalt and rust echo chemical discord. -Jo's exhibition at Woollahra is called, 'Cobalt and Rust'. Their shows are on until 14th April.Thanks for talking to us!

Many thanks Evie for your time and sharing your stories and experiences about your life and artwork. Evie is inspired by her environment. To find out more about Evie and her artwork you can see on her instagram. https://www.instagram.com/evie.adasal/?hl=enTo see the artwork of Evie's from Paddington Art Prize 2023 https://www.artgalleria.com/folio?p=cb840d31-507c-457c-9439-0d7fe04a31bd

We had the great pleasure of interviewing artist @elle_beaumont_ at @michaelreid.northernbeaches last weekend just before the opening of the group show, ‘Country', as featured in this month's @countrystylemag. Elle also has a solo show in October at @michaelreid.southernhighlands so keep an eye out for that. ‘Elizabeth Beaumont (b. 1989) is an emerging artist living on the remnant bushland of the Ngambri/Ngunnawal people in the Southern Tablelands, NSW. Elizabeth grew up in the Southern Highlands, NSW. Elizabeth is self-taught, with a background in criminal law and psychology. Elizabeth has always painted, but has dedicated time to her practice since 2017. Elizabeth's paintings are predominately abstracted landscapes and expressions of the bush, with recurring interrogation of the ecology of the southern tablelands, wallum heathland, the central Australian desert, and Southwest Tasmania.  ​​.Thanks so much for talking to us, Elle, good luck for the future and happy painting! 

Jesse - The Empowered muse, life modelling for individual wellness and social sustainability. We've been eager to chat with a life model for some time, and luckily Jesse posed for Julie's Art class in Avalon. She's skilled and knowledgeable, exceeding our expectations. Initially anticipating a conversation about modeling experiences and anecdotes, we were pleasantly surprised. Jesse shared her reasons for life modeling, driven by a need to confront her fears. This journey led to enhanced self-awareness and body positivity, influenced by the artists' portrayals of her beauty. After mastering modeling, Jesse traveled across Australia last year, organising life modeling classes in rural towns. Her goal was to break barriers and demonstrate the benefits for both individuals and communities. It was an extraordinary conversation, and we're grateful to Jesse for her openness. Her story has reshaped our perspective on life modeling, offering a beautiful insight into her journey.

Join us for the latest episode of @art.wank featuring the talented artist Nicole Kelly (@nk_nk_). Congratulations to Nicole on becoming a new mum! In our recent Zoom interview before the Xmas, we delved into her painting techniques, past exhibitions, and her unique approach to color. Nicole is a very generous artist and offers dedicated mentoring through workshops and classes. Visit her website today to learn more and reserve your spot.Represented by Arthouse gallery in Sydney and Nicholas Thompson gallery in Melbourne.‘Kelly creates paintings that linger between the essence of a subject and the experience of being. Clouded by the romanticism of remembering, her paintings are imbued with experience captured in vibrant strokes of colour and with swift brushwork. Kelly's works, informed by an interest in literature and the discipline of painting, cast moments of shared stillness in an atmosphere of light. She says of her works “my desire is to push painting beyond a surface likeness of any subject and into the realm of poetics”. Winner of the prestigious Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship (2009) and the Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize (2018), Kelly is well recognised for her landscape, portraiture and still life painting. She has undertaken residencies in France (2019, 2018, 2017, 2010) and Spain (2016) and has completed major public commissions for the Sutherland and St George Hospitals in Sydney. Her work has been selected for inclusion in the Lester Prize for Portraiture at the Art Gallery of WA (2019, 2018, 2017, 2015), Portia Geach Memorial Award (2021, 2020, 2019, 2015, 2014), Salon des Refusés (2023, 2020, 2019) and Wynne Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW (2015). ‘.Thanks Nicole! Listen wherever you get podcasts or link in bio :#Podcast #artpodcast #artwank #abstract #art #artistsoninstagram #artwork #artist #artgallery #nicolekelly 

Last year, we had the pleasure of interviewing the remarkable Tony Mighell. Unfortunately, our recording equipment failed to capture the second half of the interview. Determined to delve deeper into Tony's work, we returned for a re-recording session. Notably, Tony is a recent finalist in the Adelaide Perry Drawing Prize and is represented by Nanda Hobbs.Adding to the occasion, we were joined by Gary, a friend of both Tony and the podcast. Gary generously brought along a cake for after the podcast!

Dougie Schofield Douglas grew up in Eden, on the Far South Coast of NSW, in his parent's rambling garden. This early immersion in Nature has resulted in a practice that reflects on the bodily experience in Landscape. Schofield is an emerging artist currently based in Sydney, NSW. In 2017 he graduated Fine Art (Hons) at UNSW Art & Design, with a major in painting and a minor in printmaking.He has had solo and group exhibitions nationally and has been exhibited internationally in China, Spain, and the Philippines. He currently has work on display in the Macquarie Group collection, Sydney. Douglas is represented in Brisbane, QLD by Aster + Asha Gallery.Schofield's ongoing body of work journals and ponders on the bodily experience in landscape in relation to his gardening practice. As a gardener and horticulturist, the climate and weather are determining factors in daily activities.Douglas notes, “We are witnessing dramatic, unseasonal and severe weather nation and worldwide. My practices of gardening and painting put me in contact with this change daily.”Their work is abstract, gestural and layered. Douglas prefers to work abstractly in an attempt to give non-figurative visual language to the contemporary experience of being in Landscape.Thanks Dougie, so great to meet you and talk about your art practice. 

Richardson's works are held in the collections of National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of NSW,  Heide Museum of Art, Art Gallery of Ballarat, Artbank, City of Fremantle, MerriBek Council and the Cruthers Collection of Women's Art.Richardson is the founding editor of CoUNTess a blog publishing data on gender representation in the Australian visual arts sector.The first Countess Report authored by Richardson, was released in 2016 a sector wide bench marking data collection project, and which re-launched as Countess.Report in 2017 in collaboration with Amy Prcevich and Miranda Samuels and producing the updated 2019 Countess Report. You can find out more about the Countess report here https://countess.reportYou can find out more about Elvis on her website https://elvisrichardson.comTo see the images discussed - Dorothy and Jack -please click here https://elvisrichardson.com/Slide-Show-Land-Dorothy-and-Jackto see the 'gates' discussed at 20 minutes in https://elvisrichardson.com/Settlement-the-Gatekeepers 

Thanks Nathan Hawkes for such a great chat - we loved talking with you. To find out more about Nathan's practice look at these links https://www.instagram.com/n.a.t.h.a.n.h.a.w.k.e.s/?hl=enb. 1980 in Bowral, NSW, AustraliaLives and works in Sydney, AustraliaNathan Hawkes is a Sydney-based artist whose work is grounded in the practice of drawing as a way of paying attention to and reflecting on the visual dynamics and sensations encountered in his daily life.His large-format drawings involve scratching into the surface of paper and using rudimentary mark-making with fingers and hands, masking, sponges and a vacuum cleaner, to embody a rough-hewn euphoria and sense of renewal whilst gesturing towards an illusory perception of self in relationship to the world. It exemplifies his commitment to the exercise of drawing.Hawkes states:I am obsessed by the seemingly endless vitality and flexibility inherent to the act of drawing. Being arguably one of the oldest modes of communication there is something so deeply rooted, open, adaptive and non- exclusive about the practice of making marks on a surface in various ways to embody an idea or sensation.In 2020, Hawkes exhibited in Real Worlds: Dobell Australian Drawing Biennial. In 2019, Hawkes was a finalist in the 2019 Ramsay Art Prize at the Art Gallery of South Australia. He has been the recipient of a number of prestigious awards including the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship, Marten Bequest travelling scholarship, and the Asa Masakusa Award. Between 2013 and 2015 he was an artist in residence at Australia House, Japan and exhibited at the 2015 Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial. In 2017 the Australia Council for the Arts funded an extended visit to Sweden where he worked with internationally acclaimed artist Andreas Eriksson.Collections: Art Gallery of New South Wales -Chalk horse Galleryrepresented by Chalk horse Gallery in Sydney and Sophie Gannon in Melbourne

We had the great pleasure to visit the newly renovated Artspace studio and gallery space at The Gunnery, Woolloomooloo. Ten artists have successfully received a years free studio space. The studios are amazing, brand new and huge along with common spaces and a beautiful gallery space downstairs. We interviewed Leyla Stevens, Julia Gutman, Latai Taumoepeau and David M Thomas about what they will do with their year at Artscape and their art practice.The 10 artists taking the studios for the inaugural year are -Jack Ball Brian Fuata Julia Gutman  Tina Havelock Stevens Jazz Money. Thea Anamara Perkins Gemma Smith Leyla Stevens  Latai Taumoepeau David M Thomas Artspace will have an opening on Dec 15th 5.30pm  and Dec 16th 11am following the government's transformation of the heritage building. Live performances, artist talks and DJ's. 

Many thanks Lisa for your chat about all the work that goes into building a strong business with artists . You can find the Astute artist course on this linkhttps://www.theastuteartist.comLisa's instagram https://www.instagram.com/lisadoust/

Conor Knight is an emerging artist currently exhibiting  at Michael Reid Northern Beaches until November 25th so get online or down to the Newport gallery and see the show, El Aula, in person. Conor recently spent 8 months teaching in Spain painting for this exhibition. We had a great chat about learning to paint, having a mentor in his friend and previous podcast guest, Dylan Jones, and much more...Thanks Conor, we wish you all the best for your future art career...

Ochre Lawson is an artist and teacher working out of Addison Rd Studios in Marrickville. She has a deep knowledge of colour and composition through self study and curiosity, Her work is free, flowing and colourful, full of the energy of the bush, which she loves to hike through. She was once an environmental activist and her love for nature comes through in her work. She is represented by Jennings Kerr Gallery in the Southern Highlands. The group show, Pulp, opens at Jennings Kerr November 17 until December 17. She has a solo show next October... thansk Ochre! Ochres Art School - Art Class Sydney, get yourself along to one of her classes!

This weeks podcast is with the brilliant artist Carline Zilinksy. Her show opens at Nanda Hobbs Thursday 9th Novmember so go see it! She recently won the peoples choice award at the Mosman art prize, congratulations Caroline. It was a pleasure to chat with Caroline, full of energy and unapologetic passion! She is represented by Nanda Hobbs 'Caroline Zilinsky is the most enigmatic of painters.  She is obsessive, highly skilled, sharp witted and possesses an eye that drills into the very soul of her sitters, revealing their most intimate truths. Her unrelenting artistic drive is intoxicating—ten-hour days at the easel is the studio norm.When viewing Zilinsky's paintings, one cannot be an innocent bystander. As an artist, she has the ability to metaphorically reach out and grasp the viewer, compelling us to engage in a dialogue with her protagonists.  Her works inhabit an interesting place in contemporary Australian painting. She echoes many of the themes of the Australian Modernism greats and stylistically, acknowledges a debt to their introspective investigations into an uncomfortable world.Caroline Zilinsky was the winner of the 2020 Portia Geach Memorial Award (Australia's most prestigious art prize for portraiture by women) and in the same year won the Evelyn Chapman Art Award at S H Ervin Gallery. She is also a regular finalist in other premier art prizes including the Archibald Prize (2022), Art Gallery NSW, Darling Portrait Prize (2020, 2022) National Portrait Gallery of Australia, Canberra, the 2020 SBS Portrait Prize, the Kilgour Prize at Newcastle Art Gallery, Blake for Religious Art, the 2017 Sulman Prize and the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize. In 2009, the Muswellbrook Regional Gallery acquired her work United We Stand.'Thanks Caroline