Inside The Gallery

How does a freelance curator undertake their work in Australia, and what opportunities are really presented? Does it take a special entrepreneurial spirit? In this episode, we hear an open and frank perspective from independent curator Michelle Chanique about the challenges and benefits of working in the arts, without being tied to any particular institution. Michelle's art precinct tours (Curated Contemporary): https://www.curatedcontemporary.com/ Plausible Playground (Macquarie University) exhibition video:  https://youtu.be/BJpTxEq6zdA A transcript of this conversation is available for download here, courtesy of the Australian Arts Channel

From the early performances of the 1970s, to the hugely popular suspended stone circles, to the installations that incorporate a sense of theatre, Ken Unsworth continues to offer a disturbing and uncompromising view of our shared humanity. In this episode of the podcast, we speak with Macquarie University senior gallery curator Rhonda Davis, and exhibition curator Brad Buckley about the installation at Macquarie University which features many new works by the artist. More details: https://www.mq.edu.au/about/facilities/museums-collections/macquarie-university-art-gallery/whats-on/art-gallery-events/love-is-the-sweetest-thing Video: https://youtu.be/DYqOJ6MXSgU A transcript of conversations in this episode is available here, thanks to the Australian Arts Channel. 

Nelson Nghe is a Western Sydney-based artist engaging with a diverse range of media including painting, photo media and assemblage. His practice is characterised by the passionate use of mixed media and playful abstractions to push boundaries and highlight the living experience of gambling harm as an affected other.  His exhibition LOSSES DISGUISED AS WINS at Firstdraft in Sydney, illuminates the often "invisible" nature of gambling harm, especially its impact on loved ones. Through evocative found objects and images, Nelson reimagines hidden domestic moments, exploring the emotional toll that gambling harm inflicts on those indirectly affected. While substantial research has been conducted on individuals experiencing gambling harm, little attention has been given to its impact on children, who are often silent sufferers. Nelson's work amplifies the voices of those who suffer in silence and encourages the audience to challenge the societal structures that enable gambling to flourish and persist. A transcript of this discussion is available for download here, thanks to the Australian Arts Channel. If you or someone you know is affected by gambling harm, for assistance visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au. .

Measuring Australia's creative world ranking. An educational futurist and passionate arts educator, Professor Dr Anne Bamford OBE is Director of the International Research Agency, and President of the Education Inspiring Peace Laboratory, and was the former Strategic Education, Skills and Culture Director for the City of London. In this episode: After 2 decades abroad Dr Bamford has returned to Australia, armed with case studies and data measuring the value of creativity in business, culture, emerging technology and communication.  A transcript of this conversations is available for download here, thanks to the Australian Arts Channel.   

Sydney commercial gallery COMA makes a big move, relocating to a bigger single venue, featuring an enormous exhibition space, viewing rooms across two levels, and onsite storage. This episode features COMA founder Sotiris Sotiriou speaking about the motivation behind the move, the gallery's vision for the future, and about choosing Justin Williams for the new space's inaugural show , titled WAITING FOR LAVENDER, influenced by the birth of the artist's first child.  Visit www.comagallery.com A transcript of the conversation can be downloaded here, thanks to the Australian Arts Channel

LON Gallery in Melbourne began as a project space in 2016 based on a non-profit model that primarily supported emerging artists. The gallery established it's formal program in 2019, which provided the opportunity to work with a select number of artists in depth and to foster the critical development of their practices. At Sydney Contemporary in 2024,  LON gallerist Adam Stone devoted their stand entirely to the work of Devi Seetharam, paintings that reflect a world where men wield the authority to occupy public space, while women are reduced to symbolic figures of beauty and desire. In this episode, anthropologist and curator Pedram Khosronejad investigates the connection between gallerist and artist, seeking to uncover the unique qualities that draw them together.  LON Gallery at Sydney Contemporary 2024 Devi Seetharam: Website A transcript of this conversation is available HERE, thanks to the Australian Arts Channel  

"I'm a black woman in the world. Every day when I step outside of my door, I can't be invisible."  From Tate Modern to the National Gallery of Victoria, Atong Atem has captured the eye of curators, critics and collectors alike as an artist who creates beautifully crafted images that explore family, migration and her South Sudanese heritage. Her work explores the inherent intimacy of portraiture and photography as well as the role photographers take as story tellers, interrogating photography as a framework for looking at the world and positioning people in it, inviting the viewer to look at them through a surreal and constructed lens. In this episode, anthropologist and curator Pedram Khosronejad investigates the artist's history, inspiration and projects to come. A transcript of this conversation is available HERE, thanks to the Australian Arts Channel Atong's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atongatem/ MARS Gallery catalogue: https://marsgallery.com.au/atong-atem/  

"I didn't know being a slut could be a form of art" Sexuality and gender diversity are not unusual to find within the nature of any artist's work, but perhaps being a result of direct sexual practice is somewhat surprising. Emil Canita was exhibited by MARS Gallery in Melbourne earlier this year, and then later reached a broader audience at Sydney Contemporary. As a trans Filipino sex worker and artist, Emil navigates the intersection of art, identity, and personal expression. Known for evocative videos, captivating storytelling as you'll hear, and intimate Polaroid captures, Emil's raw, intimate works fearlessly explores the complexity of human connection, love, and desire. In this very candid but compelling conversation, Adjunct Professor at Western Sydney University, and Curator at the Grafton Regional Gallery, Pedram Khosronejad uncovers the history, motivation, and the vulnerabilities of Emil Canita.  A transcript of this edition is available HERE, thanks to the Australian Arts Channel. Emil's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babydilfx/ MARS Gallery catalogue: https://marsgallery.com.au/28580-2/

Painting exclusively together for many decades, Grace Crowley & Ralph Balson's dynamic exchange extended and challenged both artists. They respectively produced some of the earliest and most important works of abstract art in the country. Their collaborative approach to painting – the sharing of ideas, techniques and materials – resulted in two significant bodies of work that broke new ground in Australian art. By presenting the work of Crowley and Balson together, this exhibition at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia invites audiences to trace the shared influences and harmonies between their works, as well as to appreciate the centrality of collaboration to their individual practices. The exhibition comprises more than 75 paintings and works on paper, with some of these never-before-seen by the Australian public. This episode features the curator of the exhibition Beckett Rozentals. A transcript of this edition is available HERE, thanks to the Australian Arts Channel.  

MultiFutures imagines potential worlds of tomorrow through the lens of cultural and linguistically diverse International and Australian artists. The exhibition addresses the importance of diversity in the creation of imaginary and real-world futures based on lived experiences of First Nations and CaLD communities. Featuring multimedia artistic practices informed by AfroFuturism, Indigenous Futurism, Asian Futurism and Yemini Futurism, curator Rachael Kiang speaks with Tim Stackpool about how this exhibition speaks to the diverse cultural make-up of contemporary Australia and is a compelling speculative visual narrative of the place of migrant communities in the future. Artists: Alia Ali (US),  Black Quantum Futurism (US), Edwina Green (VIC), Jane Fan, Kalanjay Dhir, Lawrence Liang and Christina Lam, Serwah Attafuah, Subash Thebe Limbu (Nepal). Curator: Rachael Kiang. Creative Producer: Michael Pham. Where: Bankstown Arts Centre, 5 Olympic Parade, Bankstown until 29 June 2024. A transcript of this episode is available HERE thanks to the Australian Arts Channel.        

During his forty-year career, master lithographer Fred Genis (1934 – 2022) worked in the United States, Europe, and Australia, collaborating with leading artists from around the world. His working life spanned monumental eras in the 20th Century art including the American Abstract Expressionist movement of 1960s and 70s New York. The Grafton Regional Gallery presents a major retrospective exhibition titled "Fred Genis: A Printer's Proof," curated by Professor Pedram Khosronejad, demonstrating the measure of Genis's success through the presentation of original lithographs by forty-four artists from across three continents In this episode, along with comments from Tim Storrier, Hendrick Kolenberg and Gallery Director Sarah Gurich, Professor Khosronejad speaks with Tim Stackpool about the Genis legacy, and discusses the community's understanding of the art of lithography, the contribution of migrant artists, and contemporary visual art in Australia and beyond. The exhibition runs from 11 May until 7 July 2024. A transcript of the conversation in this episode is available HERE with thanks to the Grafton Regional Gallery.  

EXPRESS EDITION. Archie Moore's kith and kin has opened at the Venice Biennale. Curated by Ellie Buttrose, the work reflects on the nature and strength of First Nations Australian kinship that spans more than 65,000 years, and incorporates the land, water and all living things. Drawing on Archie's Kamilaroi, Bigambul, British and Scottish heritage, the installation embodies his enduring exploration of history and identity, which are central themes in his artistic practice spanning over 30 years.  This episode features comments from the launch, as well as insights from the artist and the curator, along with Creative Australia's Franchesca Cubillo, and Aboriginal elder, writer and arts elder statesman Djon Mundine OAM speaking about the impact of First Nations' art presented at the Venice Biennale. A transcript of this episode is available HERE thanks to the Australian Arts Channel. kith and kin online: https://www.kithandkin.me/ Creative Australia at the Venice Biennale: https://creative.gov.au/advocacy-and-research/events/australia-at-the-venice-biennale/venice-biennale-2024/ Australia at the Venice Biennale Instagram page:  https://www.instagram.com/ausatvenice/

Donna Marcus, a multidisciplinary artist, discusses her artistic background and her use of kitchenware and cooking pots in her work. In conversation with curator Professor Pedram Khosronejad, she explains how she became fascinated with aluminum objects, particularly lightweight aluminum objects, and the stories and narratives they hold. Covering her public artworks and how they inform her studio practice. Donna explores the significance of aluminum as a material of modernism and its connection to post-war period and domesticity. Her work is currently on exhibition at HOTA Gallery, which showcases her installations and explores themes of feminism, migration, and consumption, and also at Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert (23 March until the 5 May 2024) which features a colour study of works and older pieces from her collection. An in-person artist talk between Donna Marcus and Prof Pedram Khosronejad is sheduled for 3pm, 23 March 2024 at Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert. A transcript of this podcast episode is available HERE thanks to the contribution from the Australian Arts Channel.

When the drive to create takes a turn and propels the artistic compulsion into another direction. This episode features US based actor and now designer Darren Burrows revealing his inspiration, his history, and the balance between performance, life, and the art of design. Discussing the phenomenon of an artist known for one talent, but now channelling that creative ability into a different but equally artistic practice, Tim Stackpool explores Darren's further craft: ornate and detailed metal engraving, and hand-crafted jewellery set with gems that are truly exquisite works of art. Some of the detail is so fine, it takes a microscope to create. Darren's Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MetalManiacArt His latest film Magpie Funeral is available on Tubi and YouTube, as well as Prime Video. A transcript of this discussion is available HERE. Transcripts are made possible by the support from the Australian Arts Channel.  

Drawn from a partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and loans from the National Gallery of Australia and private lenders across the country, Emerging from Darkness: Faith, Emotion and The Body in the Baroque brings together some of the most important European works in Australia for the first time. Also exploring the few women artists of the period, NGV curator Laurie Benson discusses this rare opportunity to see these Baroque works, only at Hamilton Gallery, along with the significance of such a collection in Australia, and the incredible influence the Baroque era had on the arts worldwide.  A transcript of the conversation in this episode is available HERE, made possible thanks to the contribution from the Australian Arts Channel.

"It began as a vague sense of unease, unconnected to anything in particular. Ordinary objects of the built environment began to take on a threatening demeanour, looming over the bright and baking streets." Created by artists Heidi Axelsen and Hugo Moline, The Dance of the Remediators at The Lock Up in Newcastle is an archive of a possible future; a materialised dream sequence of people being called into action by coal's humble living relatives.  The artists discuss any cognitive dissonance of honouring the history of coal while also evoking a visual reminder that it is not always a thing to be feared. The large-scale work examines society's relationship to energy, and recognises coal's long photosynthetic toil and its living relatives of mosses and ferns. A transcript of this conversation can be downloaded here, made possible with the support from the Australian Arts Channel.    

2024 marks 150 years since the birth of Impressionism, the movement that revolutionised art. During the 1860s, a group of artists, nicknamed “the Batignolles group”, regularly met at the Café Guerbois in Paris. Deviating from the academic style, these artists, which were all refused at the Salon de Paris, decided to create their own exhibition in the spring of 1874 at the studio of their photographer friend, Nadar, on the boulevard des Capucines. The inauguration took place on April 15, 1874. Critically panned at the time, today Impressionism is one of the great phases of pictorial art, having now conquered the whole world.  In this episode, writer, curator and broadcaster Julie Ewington speaks with Tim Stackpool about the birth of the movement, its relevance today, and about her leading a Renaissance Tour through the regions of France that influenced the Impressionists, and continues to inspire artists today. A transcript of this edition is available here, thanks to support from the Australian Arts Channel.  

The Art Gallery of Western Australia and SPACED present Rural Utopias at The Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) from 25 November 2023. Rural Utopias features new works by 10 artists from across Australia, developed over a series of residencies in rural and remote Western Australia, in dialogue with selected objects from AGWA's $361 million State Art Collection. In collaboration with their host communities, artists lived and worked within their residency locations responding to the overarching curatorial theme of “Rural Utopias” to deliver context-responsive and socially engaged art. SPACED Rural Utopias Curator, Miranda Johnson, speaks with Inside The Gallery's Tim Stackpool about the extended journey of the exhibition, the manner in which the artists were affected by the residencies, and how SPACED works with galleries to deliver unique and contemplative exhibitions. A transcript of this edition is available to download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by support from the Australian Arts Channel.    

We're invited, by the Australian Museum to transport ourselves back 3,300 years, across the sands of the Sahara Desert to reach the heartbeat of ancient Egypt ruled by the most celebrated pharaoh in the country's storied history. This is the opportunity to experience one of the greatest collections of its kind, in an Australian-first exhibition, Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs. This all-new multisensory museum experience provides visitors with a window into the life and accomplishments of Ramses II, more commonly known as Ramses the Great, who ruled Egypt for 67 years – the second longest reign for any pharaoh, living an astonishing 92 years. It's exclusive to Sydney, and features 182 priceless artefacts including the sarcophagus of Ramses II - one of the most impressive royal coffins from ancient Egypt ever to be discovered – and there are other treasures too, and one-of-a-kind relics, some of which have actually never left Egypt before. Speaking about the exhibition, this edition of the podcast features museum director and CEO Kim McKay AO, curator Dr Zahi Hawass, Egypt's Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Antiquities Dr Mostafa Waziry, and World Heritage Exhibitions VP Troy Collins.  A transcript of this edition is available to download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by support from the Australian Arts Channel.

Sangeeta Sandrasegar's art practice is centred on hybridity theories, and explores her life in Australia as an artist of Malaysian, Indian and Australian heritage, and the relationship between migrant communities and homelands. Her practice, including her highly regarded work with paper cutouts, has engaged with shadows as an ephemeral motif symbolising the movement of cultures and people. Recently too, Sangeeta's work has involved the dying of large flowing fabric panels, with a particular focus on the nature and message of colours, particularly INDIGO Good friend of this podcast Pedram Khosronejad (Adjunct Professor at the School of Social Sciences at Western Sydney University) spoke to Sangeeta via Zoom, and asked her about the nature of her work, the strong international influences, and the manner by which curators, gallerists and artists work together.  Information about Sangeeta's work acquired by the Museum of Contemporary Art here: https://www.mca.com.au/artists-works/artists/sangeeta-sandrasegar/ A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by support from the Australian Arts Channel.  

Artist and engineer Majid Rabet came to Australia via Indonesia, and was detained by Australian Immigration, firstly at Christmas Island, and then at Villawood Detention Centre in Sydney. While there - for two years - to help ease the anxiety of his situation, he put his skills and inspiration to work. Majid noticed discarded material in the refuse area of the Centre which he knew he could re-purpose into usable things. Majid Rabet made many other things to make his life, and the lives of his fellow detainees easier and more comfortable. Good friend of this podcast Pedram Khosronejad (Adjunct Professor at the School of Social Sciences at Western Sydney University) spoke to Majid at a recent exhibition, and asked about his journey, his work, and his plans for the future.  Majid's work acquired by the Powerhouse in Sydney is available to view here: https://collection.maas.museum/set/8217 Majid's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majrabet/?hl=en A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by support from the Australian Arts Channel.      

Artists John Klein and Sally Ryan both separately chose Sydney designer and media presenter Claudia Chan Shaw as their subject for entry into this year's Archibald Art Prize. Hear how the artists differed in their approach to representing Claudia, how they prepared and undertook the sittings, and their impressions of each other's work. This year, 949 Archibald entries were received, with 57 selected for final judging, currently on display at the Art Gallery of NSW. A further 34 works not selected for the official exhibition are on curated display at S.H Ervin Gallery's Salon des Refusés. A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by support from the Australian Arts Channel.    

Victoria's TarraWarra Biennial is underway until mid-July, featuring works curated by Dr Léuli Eshrāghi, focusing on the interconnectedness of the peoples of Australia, Asia, and the Great Ocean. The exhibition is titled 'ua usiusi faʻavaʻasavili', a Sāmoan proverb which means ‘the canoe obeys the wind'. The proverb is demonstrative of Great Ocean celestial navigation practices, following centuries of European and Asian colonial occupations.  This episode features Dr Eshrāghi discussing the exhibition, their background, and identifying new trends in contemporary Australian art.  A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by support from the Australian Arts Channel.

Sydney gallery and art consultancy Curatorial+Co. is moving their physical gallery space to a new home in Woolloomooloo. Founder and gallery owner Sophie Vander speaks with Tim Stackpool about discovering the fortuitous new space, the change in image this might mean for the gallery, and about the evolution and challenges of managing a commercial gallery in 2023. The gallery features an expansive 150 square-metre exhibition space, measuring five metres in height, alongside an additional 150 square-metre storage and office space. It is fronted by 17 metres of glass, inviting passers-by to view Curatorial+Co.'s eclectic and ever-changing range of works, with displays evolving almost every week to showcase a variety of new artists. A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by support from the Australian Arts Channel.

Canadian contemporary artist Anthony Ricciardi has made a big impact these past few years, with collections being showcased globally in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Manchester, Montreal, Sao Paolo, and now in Sydney thanks to gallerist Louise Reilly at Audrey Fine Art. He has curated large-scale artwork and clothing for notable celebrities such as Demi Lovato, Bad Bunny, Post Malone, Shaquille O'Neill and many more. He's also collaborated with major brands such as Disney, Adidas, Coors Light and L'Oreal. But as Anthony tells Tim Stackpool, his story isn't typical. From Canada, he went to Alabama State University on a baseball scholarship, then spent five years working as an analyst for an investment fund, but decided to leave the comfort and security of corporate finance to pursue his art A transcript of this episode can be found here, made possible by support from the Australian Arts Channel.

A new and immersive contemporary arts festival is scheduled for the picturesque South Coast town of Berry from June 22 to 25, 2023. OpenField Arts Festival will showcase contemporary art in and around the town in unique non-museum venues, including halls, community spaces and natural reserves. Festival Co-Director and acclaimed Australian musician Lenka Kripac, a local Shoalhaven resident, speaks with Tim Stackpool about the increasing numbers of artists and professionals moving to the region due to its unique beauty and lifestyle, and the increasing desire for cultural engagement. Fostered by a local group of creatives, the largely-free festival has already confirmed 21 high calibre artists, including critically acclaimed photo media artist and local resident Tamara Dean.  Other celebrated artists participating in the festival that have chosen to base themselves in the Shoalhaven include Glenn Barkley, Sophie Cape, Sarah Enright, Anna Glynn, James Gulliver Hancock, Bonnie Porter Green, and Michael Purdy. They will exhibit alongside visiting artists including Tina Fox, Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro, Jess MacNeil, and Emma Saunders. A transcript of this episode can be found here, made possible by support from the Australian Arts Channel.    

Artist Archie Moore and curator Ellie Buttrose team up to present at the 2024 Venice Biennale. Announced by the soon to be re-named Australia Council, the artist becomes only the second solo First Nations artist to represent Australia at the world's oldest international contemporary art event. In this edition of the podcast, we hear from the artist and the curator about working together, and about the inspiration behind working together. Drawing upon 25 years of practice, Archie Moore (Kamilaroi/Bigambul) is uniquely placed to confront Australia's past and evocatively assert Indigenous sovereignty on a worldwide scale at the Venice Biennale. Exhibiting at the Venice Biennale provides a timely and critical opportunity for Archie's practice, offering an artistic outcome that will emotionally connect international audiences with the imperative act of truth-telling. The Australia Council for the Arts is the commissioner for Australia's National Participation at the Venice Biennale 2024 and the producer of the Australia at the Venice Biennale project. A transcript of this edition is available here, with thanks to support from the Australian Arts Channel  

The Lighthouse Gallery at the Australian National Maritime Museum is transformed into a wonderland of projection and light showcasing the beauty of our oceans for the presentation called Shipwreck Odyssey. Two large-scale walls are illuminated with spectacular interactive projections to create a large immersive play space. The venue is fitted out with state-of-the-art projection and tracking technology that allows for individual interaction with the uniquely developed aquatic imagery. The presentation is the work of Box of Birds, a collective of artists, technologists and organisations who work together to create digital play spaces. This episode of the podcast speaks with the creative director of Shipwreck Odyssey David Clarkson. A transcript of this episode can be found here, made possible by support from the Australian Arts Channel.      

Commemorating the 75th anniversary of India's independence, Charkha and Kargha at the Powerhouse Museum explores the role that textiles played in India's movement towards independence from colonial rule. In addition to their beauty, many of the textiles included in the exhibition incorporate spinning, weaving, dyeing and embroidery techniques, featuring rare items that date back to the foundational collections of the Powerhouse acquired since the 1880s, some of which are on display to the public for the very first time.  Curator Professor Pedram Khosronejad guides Tim Stackpool through the exhibition and discusses the anthropologic and curatorial debate undertaken when staging an exhibition such as this. A transcript of this episode can be found here, made possible by support from the Australian Arts Channel.

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) has received a generous gift of more than 600 Fred Williams' drawings, cementing the collection's international significance as the most comprehensive research collection of the artist in the world. The drawings are from the artist's London years, and this new exhibition and for the first time ever, explores the short though incredibly active period between 1952-56 when Fred Williams was living in the UK capital. NGV curator Cathy Leahy talks about the drawings, gouaches, and etchings that are on display, a revelation to many who know only of the artist's celebrated abstract landscape paintings. A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from the Australian Arts Channel.   

The promised Female Future has arrived, radically reshaping practices in industrial, creative and social robotics across architecture, art, design and technology. But where do art, design and technology intersect? SHErobots at Tin Sheds Gallery features iconic and emerging examples of robotic tools, toys and companions from across the globe, and asks fundamental questions about the nature and processes of contemporary robotics through the lens of female perspectives. Curators Lian Loke and Deborah Turnbull Tillman discuss the blurred demarcation that the exhibition presents between art and technology, and about the practical aspects of one exhibition with three curators. A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from the Australian Arts Channel.

Drawing upon an awkward chapter of Florence Broadhurst's life, After the Gap Year by Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro, showing at N.Smith Gallery, explores the period she worked in her father's Queensland pub after arriving back from Shanghai, but before starting her world-famous textile and wallpaper business. In conversation with Professor Pedram Khosronejad, Claire and Sean reference Florence's subsequent Asian ‘inspired' wallpaper designs, and have painted tributes upon beer and wine cardboard packaging. This combination of the exotic and the mundane brings together her experiences of different aesthetic cultures with the realities of working back in a rural pub in Australia. A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from the Australian Arts Channel.  

Weavers, Merchants and Kings, the exhibition at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum that celebrates the 70th anniversary of Cadrys Rugs and recognises the Cadry family's decades of generosity as Powerhouse donors. The exhibition features many historic woven objects, including a world-first display of a rare and enormous Royal Persian Dorokhsh carpet.  While examining the various items on display, Tim Stackpool discusses the history of Persian textiles and their introduction of the designs and patterns to Australia with curator and anthropologist Professor Pedram Khosronejad. A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from the Australian Arts Channel.  

Astronomy, Astrology and the Islamic Arts and Sciences. Shireen Taweel has undertaken an arts residency at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum, researching designing and creating works that cross the boundaries of space, time, culture and belief. Shireen discusses with curator Professor Pedram Khosronejad the challenges and satisfaction derived from investigating the power not only underlying the construction and discoveries of science, but also of the power of connecting science, art and culture. A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from the Australian Arts Channel.  

Best known for his bold modernist work, Sidney Nolan elevated the mythology of the Australian bush to global prominence and earned himself a place among the most significant artists of the 20th century. Yet his deeply expressive response to the Holocaust of the 2nd World War, where around 6 and a half million Jews were systematically murdered by the Nazis, has until now remained pretty much unseen and unknown. An exhibition of the works at the Sydney Jewish Museum uncovers an important chapter in his life and work: a series of images painted with great intensity during 1961, as the Adolf Eichmann trial came to a close and as Nolan prepared to visit Auschwitz. Museum curator Roslyn Sugarman discusses the exhibition, the preparation, and the chance meeting that uncovered this otherwise unseen body of Sidney Nolan's work.  A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from the Australian Arts Channel.

Sydney Contemporary returns this year from the 8th until the 11th of September with the country's largest and most diverse gathering of leading galleries. The fair welcomes over 90 galleries showcasing the work of over 450 leading and emerging artists. Sydney Contemporary provides collectors, industry professionals and the art-loving public access to cutting-edge art from some of the world's most respected artists and galleries as well as the opportunity to discover new, emerging talent. Fair director Barry Keldoulis talks about the physical return of one of the most celebrated events on Australia's cultural calendar. A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from the Australian Arts Channel.  

Curated by Tate UK and drawn from their prestigious collection, the LIGHT exhibition at ACMI explores the influence of light, shade and darkness across the world of art, imagery and cinema with works by Joseph Mallord, William Turner (including his epic painting The Deluge exhibited for the first time in Australia), Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley, Joseph Albers, Tacita Dean, Liliane Lijn, James Turrell, Yayoi Kusama and Olafur Eliasso. Kerryn Greenberg, former Head of International Collection Exhibitions, Tate, discusses the process of gathering some of the world's most valuable artworks into this touring exhibition, the significance of these works for local audiences and the remarkable Tate collection more broadly.  A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from Pixel Perfect Prolab - The photolab for professionals, and the Australian Arts Channel.  

Marco Fusinato's DESASTRES, curated by Alexie Glass-Kantor is an experimental noise project that synchronises sound with images on a large screen and takes the form of a durational solo performance as installation. Fusinato performs live in the Australian pavilion for the duration of the Venice Biennale using an electric guitar as a signal generator into mass amplification, to improvise slabs of noise, saturated feedback and discordant intensities that trigger a deluge of images. The resulting all-consuming experience is open for the audience to interpret and make sense of. There is a link to vision from the pavilion available at www.desastresdesastres.com A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from Pixel Perfect Prolab - The photolab for professionals. PLEASE NOTE: This edition contains coarse language that some listeners might find confronting.

Rachel Kent, CEO of Bundanon, talks about the upcoming official launch of the new Art Museum and Bridge for Creative Learning, located within one of the greatest philanthropic contributions to Australian arts, established by Arthur and Yvonne Boyd.  Embedded within the landscape, the new 500m2 Bundanon Art Museum will present a year-round program of exhibitions of modern, contemporary, and First Nations art, as well as new commissions. It includes a state-of-the-art storage facility that will house and protect Bundanon's extensive $46.5 million collection of some 4,000 items.  The build has been supported by a $22.5 million investment from the Australian Government, $10.3 million from the NSW Government, and philanthropic support. The $34 million project will drive visitation and cultural tourism to the Shoalhaven region.  The Australian Government, in the last budget, announced additional uplift funding of $6 million over two years. A transcript of this edition is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from Pixel Perfect Prolab and the Australian Arts Channel.

One of Australia's most celebrated traditional artists, Charles Billich, is shifting into digital art and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) with his own NFT project. His first work in the series is called Journey of Flat Earth and explores the recent upheaval of COVID-19 and the unknown of NFTs and blockchain. Described as one of the world's most important living artists, Charles Billich is also one of the most credentialed artists of all time. The modern-day surrealist has enjoyed a colourful, unconventional career and personal life. He was famously commissioned to develop the Bing Ma Yong Terracotta Warriors series in China, and his works have hung in the White House, the Vatican and the United Nations. His famous surrealist cityscapes of some of the world's major cities combine popular landmarks and the energy of each location in unexpected ways. Currently, aside from Michaelangelo, Charles is the only other artist who has been allowed by the Roman Catholic Church to paint from inside the Sistine Chapel. In this edition of the podcast, Geoff McDonald, Managing Director of Billich Alive, describes the nature of using NFTs to safeguard the provenance of artworks, and the nature of using Charles Billich's practice to create unique items crafted particularly for the technology. A transcript of this edition is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from Pixel Perfect Prolab and the Australian Arts Channel.  

The complex issues surrounding matters of love and sex profoundly affect people everywhere, every day. Wartime is no exception. The disruptive nature of war and the extraordinary situations it brings about magnifies human experience in these areas.  ‘Wartime morality' - the fear that death may come at any time - undermines societal norms and lowers inhibitions, tempting people to pursue encounters or engage in behaviours they may not have considered in peacetime. Curator at The Shrine Melbourne, Neil Sharkey talks about the exhibition LUST LOVE LOSS, indicating how sex itself can be weaponised, how sexualised imagery has served as a persuasive recruitment tool and a way to undermine an enemy's morale. A transcript of this edition is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from Pixel Perfect Prolab - The photolab for professionals. 

The recent discovery of more than 200 artworks created by German expats living in Persia during World War 2, then sent to internment camps in Australia, paints a picture of separation, isolation and resilience. Project curator Professor Pedram Khosronejad teams with Inside The Gallery podcast to present these works for the first time at www.australianinternment.art This edition tells the story of how the work was uncovered, what life was like at the camps, and the important message expressed by the internees, read and interpreted in a 21st century world.  A transcript of this edition is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from Pixel Perfect Prolab - The photolab for professionals.    

The Artistic director and CEO of Shepparton Art Museum (SAM), Dr Rebecca Coates talks about the history of the SAM collection, the impact on the local area, the upcoming exhibition schedule and the story behind the design and construction of the gallery itself. SAM's new home is an outstanding example of exciting, best-practice contemporary museum architecture - a five-storey building housing the Museum, Visitor Centre, and the Kaiela Art Gallery and Studio, perhaps the only example of a local Aboriginal arts centre sharing the same building and new arts and cultural space with an art museum.   The 5,300m2 building also houses a café and event space, with a roof top viewing deck.  A transcript of this edition is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from Pixel Perfect Prolab - The photolab for professionals. 

New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has restored and preserved the 1982 horror 'cult' film Basket Case, and it's now part of the museum's permanent collection. Take a listen as sculptor Kevin VanHentenryck (who played the film's lead) describes inspiration and crossroads within the arts, continuing with his love of stone carving while drawn into the world of underground film making, and subsequent bigger budget sequels. From humble beginnings carving discarded stones and rock found in derelict New York streets, to now creating works as heavy as 8 tons, the artistic journey of a lifetime comes with both enlightening opportunities and heart-rendering challenges that all contribute to unique and compelling inspiration. A transcript of this edition is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from Pixel Perfect Prolab - The photolab for professionals.  Links: Kevin's 2 week free stone carving seminar: https://freehscs.com/ Kevin's work: https://www.kevinvanh.com/ MoMA's restored and digitised Basket Case: https://tubitv.com/movies/490129/  

Inaugural gallery director Megan Monte describes the soon to be opened Ngununggula, the NSW Southern Highlands' first regional art gallery, 30 years in the making. Under the leadership of Megan, this new gallery captures the cultural vibrancy of the region through a dynamic curatorial program and community-minded approach. With a focus on visual arts and education, the gallery includes artist-led projects, live events, workshops, artist talks and public programs. Creating engaging ways for the local community to connect with artists and their ideas is at the core of Ngununggula's philosophy. A transcript of this edition is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from Pixel Perfect Prolab - The photolab for professionals.   

Deputy Director Dr Paul Donnelly describes the foundation of the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney.   The university's collections began with the Nicholson Collection of antiquities in 1860 and continued to grow to include the Macleay Collections of natural history, ethnography, science and historic photography, and the University Art Collection.  While the collections themselves aren't new, being able to see them is. The Chau Chak Wing Museum triples the exhibition space previously available. 70 per cent of the items on display have not been seen publicly for over 20 years.  From ancient Rome, Greece and Egypt, to the art of First Nations people, and the works of leading contemporary artists, the Chau Chak Wing Museum is a centre of cultural and artistic excellence.  A transcript of this edition is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from Pixel Perfect Prolab - The photolab for professionals.   

The $60.5 million HOTA Gallery is the largest public gallery outside a capital city in Australia, spanning six levels and presenting a dynamic program of world premiere international exhibitions, Australian exclusives and new commissions. Gallery and Visual Arts Director Tracy Cooper-Lavery shares her vision for the future of the Home of The Arts on the Gold Coast, as well as discussing regional gallery curation and commissioning, and the background behind the gallery's opening exhibitions. Designed by award-winning Melbourne-based architects ARM, the gallery includes over 2,000m2 of AAA rated, international standard exhibition space and a dedicated Children's Gallery, and is home to the $32 million City Collection, consisting of more than 4,400 artworks (including one of the largest collections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in regional Australia). A transcript of these interviews is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from Pixel Perfect Prolab - The photolab for professionals. 

Iranzamin, the land of the Persians, showcases more than 100 rarely seen objects at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum, exploring the diverse social and cultural history of Persia − today’s Iran. The exhibition examines how objects inspired by traditional arts and crafts were used in Persian society and by its people.    Iranzamin includes objects acquired from the 1880s to 2021, with a focus on the Qajar era (1789-1925) and encompasses material culture and techniques, from hand-woven crafts, carpets and rugs, textiles, embroidery and foundry to arms and armour, glass, ceramics and tiles.   INDEX OF INTERVIEWS: 01.10: Prof. Pedram Khosronejad - Curator.   21.25: Lisa Havilah - Chief Executive, Powerhouse Museum.   A transcript of these interviews is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from Pixel Perfect Prolab - The photolab for professionals.   

ACMI TO RE-OPEN FEBRUARY 11 The Australian Centre for the Moving Image is set to re-open after a $40 million refurbishment. Director/CEO of the museum Katrina Sedgewick OAM talks about the new permanent exhibition and the swing towards tandem online engagement.  The museum is driven via a multiplatform model powered by a new experience operating system (XOS). It sees physical and digital content connected in ways not before seen in Australia –  setting the museum apart and establishing ACMI as one of the most innovative and digitally transformed museums in the world. A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from Pixel Perfect Prolab - The photolab for professionals.       

APHRA SHEMZA SEEKS ONLINE COLLABORATORS SHEMZA.DIGITAL is a new interactive artwork project by Aphra Shemza and Stuart Batchelor, who invite members of the public from around the world to collaborate with the work online.  Inspired by One to Nine and One to Seven, a painting by Aphra's late grandfather (world-renowned British Pakistani artist Anwar Jalal Shemza), the hope is to create art that is free and accessible to all, both in its making and its perception.  Designs are uploaded and stored in an online archive to be cumulatively transformed into a generative light art installation. A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from Pixel Perfect Prolab - The photolab for professionals.   

OZFLIX ARTS STREAMING SERVICE LAUNCHING SOON. This episode featuring OZFLIX founder and CEO Ron Brown previews the upcoming streaming service OZFLIX ARTS. Like its counterpart, OZFLIX ARTS will feature the best of independent Australian arts programming, covering galleries, theatres, documentaries and music.  Ron himself is a filmmaker and producer, having created award-winning screen content for many of Australia's greatest musicians and performers, along with more than 1600 pieces of visual material, across all genres including drama, documentary, promotional, educational, music and many others. He is also the co-founder and CEO of the Australian Film Future Foundation. A transcript of this interview is available for download HERE. The transcriptions are made possible by the support from Pixel Perfect Prolab - The photolab for professionals.