Maria Stoljar talks with Australian painters about how they became an artist, their painting techniques, influences and current work. A new episode released every fortnight.
Sydney, Australia
An edited video version of this conversation will be on the YouTube channel soon! It's one of the most thrilling days on the Australian art calendar—and this year, Julie Fragar has taken out the Archibald Prize with a captivating portrait of fellow artist and colleague Justene Williams. Her large scale portrait of Justene, appearing to float in space and surrounded by model figures and structures drawn from Justene's creative universe, commands the viewer's attention. Julie talks with me about the portrait and its elements, her approach to colour and her tips for a productive sitting. This episode also includes Julie's moving acceptance speech. Also announced today: Jude Rae, winner of the Wynne Prize (and two-time podcast guest) Gene A'Hern, winner of the Sulman Prize (video interview coming soon!) Scroll down for images of the winning works Podcast listeners click here to see images of the works Julie Fragar's website Julie Fragar on Instagram Ep 28: Jude Rae Ep 97: Jude Rae '424-428' TWP on Instagram TWP on Facebook Maria Stoljar on LinkedIn Sign up to the TWP monthly newsletter Julie FragarFlagship Mother Multiverse (Justene)oil on canvas240 x 180.4 cm Jude RaePre-dawn sky over Port Botany container terminaloil on linen200 x 150.4 cm Gene A'HernSky paintingoil and oil stick on board240 x 240 cm
Podcast listeners - see the art work we talk about in this episode here Step into the gripping world of Richard Lewer — where drawing, painting, and video meet the raw edges of human experience. Richard doesn't look away from life's toughest stories. From the deeply personal — like the final days of his father's life — to the harrowing and socially charged, including the tragic death of an Indigenous child in custody and the haunting Snowtown murders, he takes it all on. But never with shock tactics. His work is quietly powerful — full of feeling, sensitivity, and a surprising touch of humour. And the surfaces he paints on? Anything but traditional — think steel, aluminium, formica table tops, even billiard tables. Richard is a multi-award-winning artist whose work has appeared in major public and private collections. He's been a finalist multiple times in the Archibald and Sulman Prizes, and his recent acquisition by the National Gallery of Australia will soon be part of an upcoming exhibition and tour. This was the perfect time to sit down for a deep conversation — just ahead of his new show ‘The stories that persist are not always true' opening on 10 April at Hugo Michell Gallery. Richard is also represented by Jan Murphy Gallery in Brisbane and Suite Gallery in New Zealand. Links Art work mentioned in this episode (for podcast listeners) Richard Lewer on Instagram Exhibition opening on 10 April at Hugo Michell Gallery YouTube video- Richard Lewer talks with Maria Stoljar about his commissioned work at the Art Gallery of NSW Boxing match Richard Lewer vs Luke Sinclair 2001, video, documentation of performance as art Worse luck I'm still here, 2014, video and animation Never Shall be Forgotten - A Mother's Story, 2017, video and animation Talking with Painters on Instagram Join me on LinkedIn Sign up to the TWP newsletter 'We have grave concerns for your father's health'oil on epoxy-coated steel80.5 x 141 cmFinalist Sulman prize 2019 I'm not the boy who cried wolf, 202580 x 120 cmacrylic on laminate tabletop Richard's medical disastersacrylic on linen181.5 x 152.7cmFinalist Sulman prize 2023 NGV Confessions (one wall of several)Acrylic on pegboard The serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals that God had made. He said to the woman ‘Did God really say that you must not eat from any tree in the garden?'. She replied ‘We may eat fruit from all the trees in the garden except for the..., 2022, acrylic on canvas, 153 x 153 cm 'The 2006 Granny' 2024acrylic on linen200.0 x 200.0 cm 'The 2006 Granny' 2024acrylic on linen& 41.0 x 31.0 cm https://youtu.be/Du-Lad05_vk?si=lW4hXdAYI9jmNEfo Body of work 'Steve' acquired by the National Gallery of Australia
Catch up on the latest YouTube videos and Instagram reels, and don't miss the chance to be part of my next Loading Dock interview at the Art Gallery of NSW! Justin Williams (video) Justin Williams - ep 60 podcast interview Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt (video) Loading Dock Interviews Playlist Nic Plowman (Instagram reel) Sam Eyles (Instagram reel) The Art Room Sign up to the TWP newsletter Join me on LinkedIn
My conversation with two remarkable Australian artists, Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt was in front of a fabulous audience at the Tweed Regional Gallery. Robert and Keith completed residencies at the gallery's Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence Studio, drawing inspiration from objects in Margaret Olley's recreated home studio at the gallery. The result of their residencies is A Dictionary for Painting, a stunning exhibition on display until March 2, 2025. In this episode, Robert and Keith share their creative highs and lows, offering an intimate glimpse into the making of their works. Special thanks to Tweed Regional Gallery for recording this event and sound engineer Dan Harcombe for his expertise. A video version of this interview will be online soon - and don't miss my earlier interview with Robert from 2021, linked below. Links Podcast listeners click here to see images of the works Robert Malherbe Keith Burt Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre Ep 162 - Ingrid Hedgcock Ep 161 - Sophie Perez and Sarah McDonald Ep 120 - Robert Malherbe Robert Malherbe on the YouTube channel John Honeywill Sarah MacDonald Instagram reel - what to take on a residency Sign up to my monthly Newsletter TWP Instagram TWP Facebook My LinkedIn Selection of work by Robert Malherbe Selection of work by Keith Burt Robert Malherbe (b.1965)Olley's table 09 2024oil on linen81 x 66 cmCourtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery© The artist Keith Burt (b.1969)Bird 2024oil on canvas30 x 25cmCourtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery© The artist Keith Burt (b.1969)Floral jug 2024oil on canvas40 x 40cmCourtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery© The artist Robert Malherbe (b.1965)Olley's table 06 2024oil on linen81 x 66 cmCourtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery© The artist Margaret Olley (1923–2011)Still life with cornflowers 1995oil on board66.9 x 90.1 cmOn loan from University Art Collection, Chau Chak Wing Museum, The University of SydneyDonated through The Hon R P Meagher bequest 2011© Margaret Olley Art Trust Keith BurtUrban ArtistsOil on canvasWinner 2020 Brisbane Portrait Prize84 x 66cm Robert MalherbeThe Stoic, 2011oil on linen76 x 61cm(Portrait of Nicholas Harding) Keith Burt (b.1969)Jar 2024oil on canvas40 x 40cmCourtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery© The artist Keith Burt (b.1969)Vase 2024oil on canvas40 x 40cmCourtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery© The artist Robert Malherbe (b.1965)Olley's table 12 2024oil on polyester51 x 41 cmCourtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery© The artist
Ingrid Hedgcock, director of the Tweed Regional Gallery, shows me around the amazing Margaret Olley Art Centre which is the relocation of Margaret Olley's home studio from Paddington in Sydney. Famous for being like an Aladdin's cave of eclectic objects, the recreated home studio contains the sources of many inspirational items which appear in Margaret Olley's paintings. Over an astonishing 21,000 items were relocated from Sydney to the gallery. Ingrid, having been involved in the project almost from its inception, is the ideal person to share insights into the creation of this extraordinary tribute to Olley. This is the second of three episodes recorded at Tweed Regional Gallery. The previous episode is my conversation with Sophie Perez and Sarah McDonald undertaking a residency at the gallery and the following episode will be my conversation with Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt at the gallery about the exhibition 'A Dictionary for Painting'. Photo of Ingrid Hedgcock supplied by Tweed Regional Gallery Podcast listeners click here to see images of the Margaret Olley Art Centre Margaret Olley Art Centre 'A Dictionary for Painting', exhibition with Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt at the Tweed Regional Gallery until 2 March 2025 Scott Bevan on William Dobell Ben Quilty (ep 80) 'The Hat Factory', Margaret Olley Art Centre 'The Yellow Room', Margaret Olley Art Centre
See an edited version of this episode (5 mins) on the talking with Painters YouTube channel An artist's residency provides more than just uninterrupted time to work; it's also a valuable space for risk-taking, experimentation, and self-reflection. That's what I learned when I caught up with Sophie Perez and Sarah McDonald during my recent visit to the Tweed Regional Gallery. They were there for a residency in the Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence studio. Both are accomplished landscape painters working in oils, have exhibited in solo and group shows across the country and both made the trek across Australia to immerse themselves in this experience - Sophie from Victoria and Sarah from South Australia. It was wonderful to hear their thoughts on the value of the residency and what has come from it. This is the first of three podcast episodes which I recorded on my visit to the Tweed Regional Gallery a couple of weeks ago. I was invited to facilitate a conversation in front of an audience with Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt, two leading painters who recently completed funded residencies at the gallery. Their new works, now hanging in the exhibition A Dictionary for Painting, are inspired by objects from Australian art royalty Margaret Olley's glorious home studio, which has been relocated within the gallery. The gallery recorded the conversation and it will be coming soon to the podcast. I was also lucky enough to have an impromptu chat with gallery director Ingrid Hedgcock, an expert on Margaret Olley, who will be joining me on the next episode. Links Podcast listeners click here for website page and images of works Sign up to the Talking with Painters newsletter Sophie Perez website Sarah McDonald website Sophie Perez Instagram Sarah McDonald Instagram https://youtu.be/jxJybTWc81s?si=8neVQgRZyTP1x7y6 Wall of Sophie Perez' work Wall of Sarah McDonald's work Work mentioned by Sarah at about 9min 40s Work mentioned by Sophie at about 18min 30s Work mentioned by Sophie at about 21 min
Podcast listeners click here to view the works Through layers of paint in varying translucency, Karen Black explores not only the physical nature of the female form but through her use of abstraction and considered use of colour she brings out another dimension - an emotional layer. There is a strong sense of a spontaneous response in her paintings so you may be surprised to hear that reading and research play as much a role in her process as creating those drips and brushstrokes. Karen talks with me in this episode about her fascination with recent research on frequencies and vibrations which occur in all matter. That interest informs her most recent body of work which will be on view in her upcoming solo show 'alternative frequency' at Ames Yavuz in Sydney. Karen has been acclaimed with awards and residencies and her work is in the collections of many public institutions. She has been repeatedly shortlisted in the Archibald and Sulman prizes, among many others, and has work hanging in both those prize exhibitions in the Art Gallery of NSW this year. She has also been recognised for her ceramic work, two of which have been acquired by the National Gallery of Victoria. In this podcast episode Karen talks with me about her childhood memories of art, how she came to painting, the story behind her current show and some interesting aspects of her process. A video of highlights of the episode will be posted to the YouTube channel in the coming weeks. Links Sign up to the TWP newsletter Karen Black on Instagram Karen Black at Ames Yavuz Karen Black at Sutton Gallery Solo show 'alternative frequency' at Ames Yavuz Gallery, 31 August to 5 October 2024 'Both of us'oil on canvas61 x 92 cmFinalist Sir John Sulman Prize 2024Source: AGNSW website ‘Head wind' 2024,oil on polyester, 183.3 x 153 cmImage courtesy of the artist 'Licking the rain' 2017oil on canvas152.5 x 122 cmFinalist Sir John Sulman Prize 2017Source: AGNSW website 'I Will Shade You from the World'2022Oil on canvas213.6 x 198.5cmImage courtesy of the artist Vivian Vidulichoil on polyester183 x 152.5 cmFinalist - Archibald Prize 2024Source: AGNSW website 'Crown legs arms' 2016earthenware, 23ct gold leaf69.0 × 29.7 × 29.2 cmCollection, National Gallery of Victoria
Watch the video version of my interview with Laura Jones here on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel Congratulations to previous podcast guest Laura Jones on winning the Archibald Prize - Australia's most famous portrait prize - with a sensitive and meaningful portrait of writer and environmentalist Tim Winton. On Friday I interviewed Laura shortly after the announcement and I'm bringing you that 5 minute conversation in this episode but I've also gone through the archives to my podcast conversation with Laura in 2018 to bring you something extra. When I interviewed Laura a few years ago it was after she had finished a residency on the Great Barrier Reef where she was studying the terrible bleaching events which occurred there (and continue to occur) and her concern surrounding those events is not unconnected with her winning portrait in this year's Archibald Prize. Because it was after seeing Tim Winton's documentary on the ABC, Ningaloo Nyinggulu, about the fight to save the Ningaloo reef that Laura requested an Archibald portrait sitting. They have in common a sense of urgency that we must act now on climate change and are doing everything they can to bring attention to the devastating and inevitable consequences of inaction. One of the most interesting parts of my conversation with Laura was when she explained how coral bleaching occurs. It's complex and scientific but she explained it in a way that anyone could understand so I thought I would bring you that part of the interview today . The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes exhibition continues until Sunday 8 September 2024. The Archibald finalist works then go on tour across 5 venues across NSW and for the first time, to the Northern Territory. The Wynne Prize finalist works will tour to four venues in regional NSW. 2018 podcast interview with Laura Jones (ep 53) Laura Jones' Archibald Prize acceptance speech (Instagram) YouTube version of my Archibald interview with Laura Incognito Art Show Studio A Tim WintonOil on linen, 198 x 152.5cmImage: Art Gallery of NSW, Jenni Carter Winner 2024 Archibald Prize
See the video version of this episode on the TWP YouTube channel here. This is my 5th collection of Loading Dock Interviews of entrants to the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes. Six brave painters fronted my camera and microphone as they delivered their work to the packing room at the Art Gallery of NSW via the loading dock. Thankyou to these artists (tap on their name for their Instagram page): Andrew Bischoff Mila Kalik Joshua Van Gestel Simon Weir Linda Lockyer Mary Shackman Tickets for the 'Artists in Conversation' talk with me and Marikit Santiago at the Art Gallery of NSW Sign up for the Talking with Painters Newsletter here. https://youtu.be/T-26mfmJMqw?si=L_YMco2XH8Hwwsup
Podcast listeners click here to view the works Caroline Zilinsky's paintings freeze pivotal moments in our culture's history, encouraging us to reflect upon our times, whether it's the absurdity, the horror or the humour. At the risk of being labelled a conspiracy theorist, she's attracted to the dilemmas brought on by the internet era and shines a light on the things that trouble most of us: our loss of privacy, shortened attention, a heightened focus on appearance, a growing indifference to human suffering and the increasing power assumed by tech giants. Her paintings often depict a political or social narrative and although she accepts some are too confronting to hang above the sofa, there's something about the levity in her use of line, colour and form which invites us to venture into the darker corners of our culture, causing us to linger and question. Caroline is also well known for her portraiture and landscape painting. She won the Portia Geach Memorial Award portraiture prize in 2020 (the same year she won the Evelyn Chapman award) and has been a finalist in many others including the Archibald and Darling portrait prizes. This interview took place at the mid-career survey show of Caroline's work 'Exquisite Cadaver' at the University of Newcastle Gallery. Curated by Gillean Shaw, it was a collection of 40 stunning works spanning over 2 decades. The interview was also filmed and I'll be posting a video, including footage from the exhibition and Caroline's studio, on the TWP YouTube channel in the coming weeks. Feature photo: Phillip Antonio Lemos Caroline Zilinsky on Instagram Caroline Zilinsky at NandaHobbs Sign up to the TWP newsletter TWP YouTube channel Loading Dock interview My AGNSW Artists in Conversation interview with Caroline Ceal Floyer 'Kubla Khan'2022oil on linen107 x 106.7 cm 'Exquisite Corpse'2024Oil on linen 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' 2023oil on linen138 x 138cm 'Faceless The Congressional Hearing of Mark Zuckerberg' 2020oil on linen122 x 122cm 'Man of Few Words'2020Ink on AGNSW archive manila folder30 x 21cm (paper size), 60 x 47cm (framed size) 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' 2023Oil on linen112 x 122cm 'Plastic Fantastic', 2023oil on linen56 x 62cm 'Refract Back', 2023Oil on linen112 x122 cm 'Too Long; Didn't Read (Universal Declaration of Human Rights)'2023Oil, Oil Stick and Digital Configuration on Canvas97 x 87cm 'Me and Ellie', 2004-2005oil on linen 71 x 454.5cm'My Brother Adrian' oil on linen72.5 x 54cm
Podcast listeners click here to see images of the work Over the years, podcast guests have shared some fascinating back stories to paintings they have made, stories which you could never have guessed just on viewing the work. Sometimes that back story has made me look at the work in a totally different way and I'm bringing you another eight artists' works in addition to those in ep 155. Click on the artist's name below for the full podcast episode (and any YouTube videos) and see images of the works we talk about below. Davida Allen Jacqui Stockdale Sam Leach Sam Leach YouTube video Robin Eley Peter O'Doherty Kathrin Longhurst Tom Carment Nicholas Harding Links mentioned in this episode TWP YouTube channel Sign up for the TWP Newsletter TWP Loading Dock video NGV Triennial highlights - Instagram reel Memorial service for Jan Senbergs I dream of Sam Neill when I go to bed, 1986Davida AllenNational Gallery of Victoria © Davida AllenCollection: National Gallery of Victoria, MelbournePurchased 1986 (P22-1986) Drawings of George StirlingJacqui Stockdale George Stirling from the Heads of the Family seriesJacqui Stockdale Sam LeachMachine-assisted memory of Harewood Farm, Meadowsoil on linen51 x 51 cm Robin Eley‘Self Portrait', 2010, oil on Belgian linen, 39″ x 25″Runner Up, Doug Moran portrait Prize, 2010 Peter O'DohertyEdgecliff high rise, 2019, acrylic on canvas, 198x167cm Kathrin LonghurstPoster Girl, 2011, oil on canvasFinalist Portia Geach Memorial Award, 2011 Tom CarmentWhere I scattered my father's ashes, Oratunga, SAwatercolour on paper45.3 x 52 cm Nicholas HardingRobert Drewe (In the swell)2006oil on canvas (frame: 140.4 cm x 125.0 cm, support: 138.0 cm x 123.0 cm)Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Podcast listeners click here to see images of the works Over the years, podcast guests have shared some fascinating back stories to paintings they have made, stories which you could never have guessed on merely viewing the work. Sometimes that back story has made me look at the work in a totally different way and I'm bringing you a few of those to you in this episode. See images of the works we talk about below. Links Tickets for talk with Caroline Zilinsky at the Art Gallery of NSW (Artists in Conversation) YouTube video - Anthony White Vincent Fantauzzo podcast episode Prudence Flint podcast episode Ben Quilty podcast episode Scott Bevan podcast episode on William Dobell 2:40 ‘Heath', 2008, oil on canvas, 106 x 140cm (Collection of the Art Gallery of NSW, highly commended and winner of the Archibald Prize People's Choice award 2008. Portrait of Heath Ledger) 10:40 ‘Baby', 2015, oil on linen, 105 x 90.5cm (Finalist in Archibald Portrait Prize 2015) 15:45. ‘Kandahar' 2011, oil on linen, 140 x 190cmPhoto: Australian War Memorial 18:00 ‘Captain S. after Afghanistan' 2012, oil on linen, 210 x 230cmFinalist Archibald Prize 2012Photo: AGNSW/ Mim Stirling 20:30 ‘Margaret Olley', 1948, oil on hardboard, 114.3 x 85.7 cm boardCollection: Art Gallery of NSWWinner Archibald Prize 1948 23:45. ‘Storm Approaching, Wangi', 1948, oil on cardboard on composition board, 32.9 x 56cmWinner Wynne Prize 1948
Podcast guests talk with me about the flow state! See below for timestamps and links to each guest's full podcast interview and video 3:39 Julie Nicholson and Fiona Verity - Podcast | Instagram video 6:40 Ann Thomson - Podcast | YouTube 7:54 Joshua Yeldham - Podcast | YouTube 10:15 Antonia Perricone Mrljak - Podcast | YouTube 11:25 Wendy Sharpe - Podcast | YouTube 12:51 Lewis Miller - Podcast | YouTube 13:50 Aida Tomescu - Podcast | YouTube 16:30 David Griggs - Podcast | YouTube 17:27 Idris Murphy - Podcast | YouTube 18:40 Kathrin Longhurst - Podcast | YouTube 20:50 Anthony White - Podcast | YouTube (coming soon) 22:07 Bernard Ollis - Podcast | YouTube 23:59 Kim Leutwyler - Podcast | YouTube 25:20 Tim Maguire - Podcast | YouTube 26:40 Belinda Street - Podcast | YouTube 27:58 Yvette Coppersmith - Podcast | YouTube (coming soon) 29:30 Tim Storrier - Podcast | YouTube 31:15 Jacqui Stockdale - Podcast | YouTube 32:02 Sandi Hester - YouTube Links Sandi Hester interview on the YouTube channel Sandi Hester's YouTube channel ‘Bits of an Artist's life' Paul Newton YouTube video TWP Instagram reels - ‘Summer reels from the archives' Ep ‘Inspiration from the archives: Colour (1)' Ep ‘Inspiration from the archives: Colour (2)' Ep ‘Inspiration from the archives: Risk' Subscribe to the Talking with Painters monthly newsletter
Above photo of Jan Senbergs by Riste Andrievski Click play for my podcast introduction to this interview and scroll down for the transcript. Podcast listeners click here and scroll down for transcript. Watch the YouTube video of Jan Senbergs' studio and work here Links Jan Senbergs' website Jan Senbergs on Instagram Jan Senbergs at Niagara Galleries Talking with Painters YouTube channel Talking with Painters on Instagram Talking with Painters on Facebook Subscribe to the TWP newsletter PDF version of transcript for tablet/desktop With over six decades of work as a painter, printmaker and draughtsman, leading artist Jan Senbergs has exhibited in over 50 solo shows and has been the subject of three survey shows including a major retrospective curated by the National Gallery of Victoria in 2016. A rare accomplishment. His art evolved from early masterly screenprints to large scale paintings and with subject matter as varied as urban and natural landscapes, industrial themes, surreal structures and forms and aerial map-like works. This episode has been a long time coming. Covid threw out our plans for an early 2020 meeting but two years later we met in Jan's inspirational studio in Melbourne. His voice has been affected by some health issues and so this episode is coming to you by way of transcript (below) and an intro on the podcast. As I was setting up my audio equipment on the day of the interview, Jan and I chatted about the time he had spent in London in his 20s. We talked about other Australian artists who were there at that time. That's where the recording of the interview began. Jan Senbergs I was the younger artist who came into that area and I didn't know anybody. I didn't want to bother the local Antipodeans (laughs) so I usually went out by myself. I headed for the National Gallery on one occasion and ran into Arthur Boyd heading there too. We travelled together on the bus from Pimlico to Trafalgar Square. It was very nice because we walked through the Gallery making comments. It's lovely to do that with another painter. We walked past one room and Arthur stopped and said, 'There's a good painting in this room.' It was a big dog watching over a dying nymph, by Piero di Cosimo. He was such an interesting painter. Afterwards, Arthur suggested we go and have a drink, so we went across the road and had a couple of beers and then he said 'You'll have to excuse me, but I've got to go back home. I've got a few duties there.' We shook hands and I never saw him again. Maria Stoljar You never saw him again? JS No, but what was nice about it was the generosity of the older person to somebody younger who had just arrived. MS How lovely. But you knew a lot of famous Australian artists like Fred Williams, for example. He was a friend of yours, wasn't he? JS Yeah, I knew Fred. When I first started showing around, I mixed with some of the older artists. At that time there were hardly any younger artists around. And because I hadn't gone to an art school, I was very isolated. It's quite different for artists today. Now there are thousands of young people trying very hard to make good art after their schooling. It's a different atmosphere. Schools pump out all these people with hopes and ambitions. That's the reason it's good to know some of the older painters. MS Yes. Like John Brack? JS Yes, John Brack was one … Len Crawford, Fred, Roger Kemp – these were heavy-duty Melbourne blokes. MS It's amazing that you, in your early 20s, were hanging out with those people. JS Yeah, it was actually. Because I couldn't get into art school so I'd started working in a silkscreen printing company, which was a terrible bloody job (laughs). ‘Modern monument in colour ‘ 1975, Colour screenprint, 56.6 x 81.2cm (image)National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne MS Why? Was it heavy work or just dirty work? JS Dirty work.
See a video version of the interview with curator Jackie Dunn here See a video version of the interview with artist Desmond Lazaro here The largest exhibition of Kandinsky's work ever to be seen in Australia has just opened at the Art Gallery of NSW! The exhibition, titled simply 'Kandinsky', brings together over 50 works of one of the 20th century's most innovative and ground breaking painters - Vasily Kandinsky - with 47 paintings from the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum in New York. Curated by the Guggenheim's curator of modern art and provenance Megan Fontanella together with the AGNSW's senior curator Jackie Dunn, these works touch on the most important periods of Kandinsky's artistic career, from the early 'Blue Rider' period, to his time in Germany when teaching at the Bauhaus school right through to his final years in Paris. In this podcast episode (which you can also see on YouTube) I talk with Jackie Dunn about this extraordinary exhibition. She tells me about Kandinsky's life and work, including what the catalysts were for him to become a painter, his use of colour, line and form and his interests in spirituality and music. I also talk with Desmond Lazaro who was commissioned to design a family-friendly space where visitors are invited to follow the path of a colourful labyrinth and create drawings using the shapes that inspired Kandinsky. Lazaro is a British-Indian-Australian artist whose primary ingredient is colour. His practice explores map-making, planetary systems and the concept of the journey. Also, alongside the Kandinsky show is an exhibition of 'spirit drawings' created by British medium Georgiana Houghton in the 1860s and 70s. The exhibition, 'Invisible Friends', brings together a collection of rarely seen swirling, evocative watercolours. They highlight how significant spiritualism was in early modernism. 'Kandinsky' is a must-see exhibition. It runs from November 4th to March 10th, 2024. More details here. To hear the podcast episode press 'play' beneath the above photo. To watch the video versions of the interviews click on the links at the top of this page or see below. Links 'Kandinsky' at the Art Gallery of NSW Desmond Lazaro Tickets for my conversation with Julia Gutman on 15 November 2023 in the Artists in Conversation series Talking with Painters on Instagram Talking with Painters on Facebook Connect with me on LinkedIn https://youtu.be/Pgm4112joG8 https://youtu.be/D3b3WLlsakc 'Composition 8' July 1923, oil on canvas, 140.3 x 200.7 cm, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Solomon R. Guggenheim Founding Collection, by gift, photo courtesy Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation 'Blue mountain' 1908-09, oil on canvas, 107.3 x 97.6 cm, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Solomon R. Guggenheim Founding Collection, by gift, photo courtesy Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation Vasily Kandinsky 'In the black square' June 1923, oil on canvas, 97.5 x 93.3 cm, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Solomon R. Guggenheim Founding Collection, by gift, photo courtesy Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation 'Landscape with rain' January 1913, oil on canvas, 70.5 x 78.4 cm, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Solomon R. Guggenheim Founding Collection, photo courtesy Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation 'Yellow painting' July 1938, oil and enamel on canvas, 116.4 x 88.9 cm, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Solomon R. Guggenheim Founding Collection, photo courtesy Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation 'Around the circle' MayAugust 1940, oil and enamel on canvas, 97.2 x 146.4 cm, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Solomon R. Guggenheim Founding Collection, photo courtesy Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation
This episode is a conversation between James Powditch and Maria Stoljar in front of an audience at the Art Gallery of NSW, recorded by the Art Gallery Society James Powditch has always loved the movies. As a child in the 70s and 80s he would watch whatever he could get away with - from Taxi Driver to Deliverance. But in recent years, after being shortlisted in the Archibald prize with paintings of Labor leader (now PM) Anthony Albanese and journalists Kerry O'Brien and Laura Tingle he noticed other themes emerge; media and politics. In his most recent solo show at Nanda Hobbs Gallery he found a way to merge those interests. In Medium Cool: Journalism in Film, works took on titles of films in which journalism and politics were central themes. Beautifully composed assemblages incorporating found objects explored the ideas behind movies such as All the President's men and Network. James has exhibited in over 10 solo shows and has won the Mosman and Blake art prizes. He has been a finalist in the Archibald Wynne and Sulman prizes for a combined total of about 25 times. In this episode Maria has a vibrant (and often humorous) conversation with James in front of an audience at the Art Gallery of NSW as part of the Artists in Conversation series. You can see images of the works they talk about below. Members of the Art Gallery Society can also see a video of this conversation for a limited period on the Art Gallery website. To hear the podcast conversation press 'play' beneath the above photo. Links James Powditch on Instagram James Powditch at NandaHobbs Gallery Video of this interview on the AGNSW website (for members) Art Gallery Society membership page Get tickets for the Steve Lopes talk at the AGNSW Samantha Dennison interview on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel 'Once upon a time in Marrickville – Anthony Albanese', acrylic on paper and board 190 x 190 cm Finalist Archibald Prize 2020 Lloyd Cole and the Commotions album cover New Order - Power, Corruption and Lies album cover 'Citizen Kave' mixed media 200 x 300 cm, Finalist Archibald Prize 2014 ‘Citizen Kane' 2022 Mixed media, framed 80 x 120cm 'All the President's men II' 2023 mixed media, 40 x 60cm 'All the President's men' 2023, mixed media 130 x 282cm 'Laura Tingle - the fourth estate' Acrylic and paper on board 204 x 170.1cm Finalist Archibald Prize 2022 Movie poster ‘Judgment at Nuremberg' Digital work, James Powditch Peter Powditch Photograph by Robert Walker (c1970) ‘Peter Powditch is a dead man smoking' 2009, Mixed media 193 x 263cm, Finalist Archibald Prize Family photo, James Powditch ‘Crowdy Head (after Peter Powditch)', acrylic on paper and cardboard 122 x 366 Finalist Wynne Prize 2022 ‘Crowdy Head IV', Oil on masonite, 50 x 48cm, Peter Powditch The Wynne Club Championship 2023, oil, acrylic and pen on board, found objects , 180 x 316.1 cm , Wynne Prize finalist Sam I Am, acrylic on paper and board 200 x 240 cm, Finalist Archibald Prize 2023 Digital work, James Powditch
Risk. Some painters want it in their toolbox while others are terrified by it. But nearly every painter will tell you that you need it in order to move forward in your practice. It might be using a new material, drastically altering the composition of a nearly completed painting or creating a completely different body of work to what had previously been commercially successful and critically acclaimed. Any way you look at it, you're leaving yourself open to the possibility of failure, disappointment and probably the most painful of all - ridicule. So whether we call it risk, chance, letting go of control or just leaving yourself open to mistakes, it all amounts to a greater openness to creativity. Taking the leap and seeing what happens. In this episode I bring together clips from eight previous guests about what risk means to them - and how they use it. See below for a list of the artists together with links to the full podcast conversation and YouTube video Press 'play' beneath the above image to listen Vanessa Stockard Podcast | YouTube Paul Ryan Podcast | YouTube Guy Warren Podcast | YouTube Julian Meagher Podcast | YouTube Ken Done Podcast | YouTube Juliet Holmes a Court Podcast | YouTube Tim Maguire Podcast | YouTube Joe Furlonger Podcast | YouTube Watch the Idris Murphy YouTube Video Listen to the full Idris Murphy podcast interview Sign up to the TWP newsletter Book tickets for my conversation with Steve Lopes at the Art Gallery of NSW
More inspiration from the archives! Here are another 12 past podcast guests talking with me about colour. Links to full podcast conversations and YouTube videos on each of the artists in this episode: 2:13 David Griggs - Podcast | YouTube 5:00 Laura Jones - Podcast | YouTube 9:08 Lewis Miller - Podcast | YouTube 11:10 Lucy Culliton - Podcast | YouTube 13:13 Robin Eley - Podcast | YouTube 18: 25 Melinda Harper - Podcast | YouTube 20:35 Tim Storrier - Podcast | YouTube 22:35. Wendy Sharpe - Podcast | YouTube 25:28 Idris Murphy - Podcast | YouTube video online soon! 28:22 Aida Tomescu - Podcast | YouTube 29:31 Bernard Ollis - Podcast | YouTube 31:19 Emily Imeson - Podcast | YouTube Sign up to the TWP monthly newsletter here Follow the show on Instagram Follow the show on Facebook Connect with me on LinkedIn
This episode I'm bringing you some gems from the archives. Leading artists talk with me about colour! Episodes of featured artists: Jo Bertini Paul Newton Philip Wolfhagen Nicholas Harding John Wolseley Peter O'Doherty Links YouTube channel Talking with Painters website Sign up to the TWP newsletter Nicholas Harding talks with me about his Wynne prize painting John Wolseley talks with me about his watercolour techniques Short Instagram video of Paul Newton talking about flesh tones (longer YouTube video coming soon)
Watch an edited version of this conversation (4 mins) on the YouTube channel here Ann Thomson, one of Australia's most important artists, might be in her 90th year but she shows no signs of putting down the brush. A powerful collection of works is currently hanging in a solo show at Sydney's Defiance Gallery and Ann is looking forward to a busy 2024. A major survey show to be curated by Terence Maloon will open at the S.H.Ervin Gallery in Sydney and travel to Orange Regional Art gallery in country NSW and solo shows at Messums in London and with Stephane Jacob in Paris are also in the calendar. Although Ann resists the label 'abstract artist', it's her masterful use of colour and her superb mark making that will most likely catch your attention - those luscious brushstrokes and drips. But subjects often emerge; a landscape, tribal elements, creatures of the ocean. You'll also see collaged passages. Ann is well known for using a textured ‘tarred paper' which was used by builders. Although it's in scarce supply (she believes she has bought up all remaining rolls in existence!) she doesn't treat the material as a precious commodity. If you look closely at ‘Calypso' for example, you'll see the section of collaged paper is splattered with drips of paint. That's because it had previously been lying on the floor of Ann's studio like a drop sheet. She later pasted the paper onto the canvas where it exists surrounded by bright colours, its own history intact. It was wonderful to catch up with Ann to hear her thoughts on creativity and studio life. She has been a guest on the podcast twice previously – in 2018 talking about her life and art and in 2020 talking about her memories of meeting Ian Fairweather (links below). Ann is represented by Defiance Gallery in Sydney, Mitchell Fine Art in Brisbane, Charles Nodrum Gallery in Melbourne, Messums in London and Stephane Jacob in Paris. To hear our conversation press 'play' beneath the above photo and scroll down for images of selected works included in the show. Latest Talking with Painters YouTube videos Matthew Clarke Daniel Boyd Ruth Levine and Robyn Kinsela Ann Thomson Other links 2018 Podcast conversation with Ann Thomson 2018 YouTube video in Ann Thomson's studio Podcast conversation with Ann Thomson on Ian Fairweather Podcast conversation with Claire Roberts on Ian Fairweather Ann Thomson's website Article on Artsy Website: 9 Overlooked Women Artists in Their Nineties https://youtu.be/qLf00VQ3U6E Transcending 2018 Acrylic on linen 153 x 122.5 cm Shield, 2023 acrylic on tarred paper on canvas 120.5 x 81 cm This is one of the two works referred to at about 4mins in the episode. Calypso, 2013 oil on linen 122 x 122cm
Click here for the edited video version of this podcast episode on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel The exhibition of Francis Giacco's paintings now showing at Australian Galleries in Sydney has been a long time coming. Covid pushed back the scheduling but it was worth the wait! I met Francis at the gallery and we walked through the exhibition talking about several key works which cross portraiture, still life and landscape. Apart from the Archibald, Francis has won the Percival Portrait Painting prize (and other awards) and has been a People's Choice winner in the S.H.Ervin's Salon des Refuses. Titled 'Recent works: Pictures at an Exhibition (apologies to Mussorgsky)', the show is a combination of recent work and major paintings from the 80s and 90s. It includes Francis' enigmatic multi-figured portrait which won the Archibald prize in 1994. Several other works hanging in this first room were shortlisted in the Archibald and Doug Moran National Portrait Prize. Influenced by Vermeer and the early Renaissance masters, his work exudes beauty and vitality. He's a keen observer of the effects of light, whether it's streaming from behind a still life or fracturing through a bamboo curtain and the way he depicts detail in the illuminated subject often pushes the real into the abstract. Francis (also known as Frank to those who know him) was my first podcast guest and in the past also taught at Julian Ashton Art School where I first met him. Many of his students have gone on to make paintings which have hung in the Archibald prize themselves and I can think of at least three who are finalists in this year's exhibition. The exhibition continues at Australian Galleries until 2 July 2023. To hear the episode click on 'play' above. Click here to watch the shorter 8 minute video version of this episode. Links YouTube video of this episode My first podcast interview with Francis in 2016 Francis Giacco at Australian Galleries Francis Giacco on Instagram Francis Giacco on Facebook Johannes Vermeer Subscribe to the TWP newsletter https://youtu.be/csBvbFfcwUc Homage to John Reichard (1994) egg emulsion on marine plywood, 202cm x 188cm Archibald Prize Winner, 1994 Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries Lee Lin Chin (1993) egg emulsion on marine plywood, 163cm x 127cm, Archibald Prize Finalist, 1993; Doug Moran Finalist, 1995. Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries White widow 1999-2000 egg emulsion on marine plywood, 132cm x 119cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries The piano 1984 oil on canvas, 96cm x 89cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries Jenny's garden #25 – the altar 2020-23 oil on marine plywood, 122cm x 128.5cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries Jenny's garden #20 – commotion 2020-23 oil on marine plywood, 43cm x 88cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries Balthus' cats 2020-23 oil on marine plywood, 122cm x 126cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries The audition 1990 egg emulsion and oil on marine plywood, 60cm x 60cmImage courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries Bondi Pavilion 1988 oil on canvas, 76cm x 61cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries Self portrait #3 – after Rembrandt c. 1980 oil on canvas, 31cm x 27cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries Rushcutters Park – bushfire smoke c. 1990 oil on canvas on board, 39cm x 35cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries
In the final episode of the series ‘When I won that art prize' we go back to 2021 when a 27 year old Georgia Spain won the Sir John Sulman Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW, the first time she had entered the prize. In the same week she was announced the winner of the Women's Art Prize Tasmania. These announcements were made less than 12 months after she was one of 5 artists to receive the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art scholarship. Georgia's recent work is currently hanging in the exhibition ‘Once more with feeling' showing at Ngununggula, in the southern highlands of NSW. See below for links to Instagram videos about that exhibition. To hear this episode click on 'play' beneath the above photo. Links Full Georgia Spain interview Georgia Spain's acceptance speech for the Sulman Prize at the AGNSW Episode 115 - 'The Archibald Winners' Sam Leach YouTube video (Part 1) Sam Leach YouTube video (Part 2) Tickets for Del Kathryn Barton live interview at the AGNSW 'Artists in Conversation' Subscribe to the TWP newsletter 'Once More with Feeling' at Ngununggula, Southern Highlands, 3 June - 13 August Instagram video - Megan Monte talks about 'Once more with feeling' Instagram video - Maria Stoljar at Ngununggula Karen Black Ben Quilty Solo exhibition by Francis Giacco at Australian Galleries, 15 June to 2 July 2023 ‘Getting down or falling up', acrylic on canvas, 180.6 x 187.5 cm Winner: Sir John Sulman Prize, 2021 https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cs73wXShsoy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cs94XEbhR5e/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
In this episode I'm taking you back to my interview with Megan Seres who won the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize in 2016. Megan received the $150,000 in prize money for her stunning painting, ‘Scarlett as Colonial girl', which depicted her daughter in 19th century dress against a golden landscape. Megan hadn't planned on entering the competition, but was persuaded by a friend. When she heard her name announced as the winner, she was completely shocked. To hear the episode press play beneath the above photo. Central photo of Megan Seres supplied by the artist Links Megan Seres full Talking with Painters interview (ep 41) 'The Archibald Winners' (ep 115) Talking with Painters YouTube channel My YouTube video of Megan in her studio (2018) My 15 second video of the painting hanging in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize exhibition in 2016 Megan Seres' website ‘Scarlett as colonial girl', 2016, winner of the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize 2016
Australia's most famous art prize was awarded yesterday at the Art Gallery of NSW together with the Wynne and Sulman prizes. The $100,000 prize went to a shocked but happy 29 year old Julia Gutman for her fabulous portrait of singer/songwriter Montaigne. It's titled ‘Head in the sky feet on the ground', a beautiful mixed media work consisting of oils, found textiles and embroidery. I had a chance to talk with her shortly after the announcement and I'm bringing you today that conversation together with her acceptance speech. The Wynne prize for landscape painting or figure sculpture went to Zaachariaha Fielding for his painting 'Inma'. Zaachariaha is primarily a singer, the lead vocalist of the band Electric Fields, and sings in Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara and English. Together with producer Michael Ross they have received 22 awards over the past 6 years for his music. In the winning work Zaachariaha aimed to visually depict sound, specifically the sounds of Mimili, a small community in the eastern part of the APY lands in South Australia and thrilled everyone at the announcement by singing with a few friends saying 'this is what the canvas sounds like' (see below for a link to a short video). The Sulman Prize for genre painting which was judged by the artist Nell and went to Doris Bush Nangarrayi for her work 'Mamunya ngalyananyi (Monster coming)' which depicts several Mamus the ominous and malevolent spirits that terrify Anangu. These figures are typically seen to have large haunting eyes with straight hair standing upright and can shapeshift into many different forms, including the human figure. Doris lives in Papunya in the Northern Territory and paints vivid memories stories and dreams from her life. See below for images of all winning works. Links Julia Gutman's website Video of Zaachariaha Fielding https://youtu.be/GIF0LOntO2o https://youtu.be/eaTKIf6fBT4 Winner Archibald Prize 2023, Julia Gutman 'Head in the sky, feet on the ground', oil, found textiles and embroidery on canvas, 198 x 213.6 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter Winner Wynne Prize 2023, Zaachariaha Fielding 'Inma', acrylic on linen, 306.2 x 198.5 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter Winner Sulman Prize 2023, Doris Bush Nungarrayi 'Mamunya ngalyananyi (Monster coming)', acrylic on linen, 198 x 273.5 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter
In part 2 of the series 'When I won that art prize' we go back to episode 29 when James Drinkwater recalled winning the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship in 2014. The award included a three month residency in Paris at the Cité Internationale des arts, a dream come true for any young painter. However, when he and his young family set off for France, not everything went according to plan. Upcoming show Solo show at Edwina Corlette, 'You could just make a painting and write it all in there - new paintings from the slip room', 3 - 23 May, 2023 Links Episode 29, James Drinkwater on Talking with Painters Episode 115, The Archibald Winners YouTube video of interview with Packing Room prize winner Andrea Huelin James Drinkwater on Instagram James Drinkwater at NandaHobbs James Drinkwater at Edwina Collette James Drinkwater at Nicholas Thompson Gallery Lottie Consalvo Photo of James Drinkwater by Maria Stoljar (2017) ‘Encrusting the marvellous heart', diptych, 2015, oil and collage on hardboard, 180 x 244cm Finalist Wynne Prize 2015
Golden moments from the archives! While I'm busy updating my YouTube channel and taking a break from new interviews, I'm thrilled to bring you a new series featuring clips from past podcast guests. In my first series 'When I won that art prize' I look back at conversations I've had with painters about their experiences with winning awards. Although there are plenty of upsides (the prize money being one of the main ones) it's not always a positive experience! In 2017 (ep 35), I chatted with the fabulous Prudence Flint. No stranger to art prizes, she has won the Portia Geach Memorial Award, the Len Fox Painting Award and has been shortlisted in the Archibald seven times. But when I asked her what it was like winning the Doug Moran National Portrait prize in 2004, with prize money of $100,000, her response was not what you might expect. Links Full TWP Prudence Flint interview - episode 35 Prudence Flint website Prudence Flint on Instagram Prudence Flint's studio on TWP YouTube channel Talking with Painters YouTube channel The Good Oil Podcast with Graeme Douglas Subscribe to the Talking with Painters newsletter ‘A Fine Romance #9', 2004, oil on linen, 117 x 82cm Winner of Doug Moran National Portrait Prize 2004 ‘Baby', 2015, oil on linen, 105 x 90.5cm Finalist in Archibald Portrait Prize 2015
Last Thursday I was thrilled to speak with Idris Murphy, leading contemporary artist and a previous podcast guest, in front of a live audience at the S.H.Ervin Gallery in Sydney. It's where the survey exhibition of his work, 'Idris Murphy: Backblocks' is now showing and continues until 26 March 2023. Curated by Terence Maloon, it features breathtaking work predominantly from the last two decades. Paintings which shimmer, glow, and transport the viewer. Idris talked with me about his career including the stories behind several works, the influence indigenous culture has had on his approach and how he works in the studio. Although this exhibition is impressive in its quality and depth, this isn't the first survey show of Idris's work. The exhibition ‘I and Thou' in 2009/2010 had highlighted the preceding 30 years of work. He has exhibited in over 40 solo shows over the years with work in major public collections including the National Gallery of Australia and Art Gallery of NSW. Thanks to everyone who came along! I also filmed our conversation and will be uploading an edited version of this chat to the TWP YouTube channel in the coming months. Idris is represented by King Street Gallery in Sydney. Photo of Idris Murphy in his studio (2022) by me Current exhibition 'Idris Murphy: Backblocks', S.H.Ervin Gallery, Sydney, until 26 March 2023 Links Idris Murphy's website Idris Murphy at King Street Gallery Previous podcast interview with Idris Murphy: Episode 131 Henri Matisse Clip of the American writer I refer to in the episode at about 6:40 - Etel Adnan - on beauty Susan Sontag - 'On Photography' Jeanette Winterson Annie Dillard Rose Wylie John Berger The quote we refer to is from his book 'and our faces, my heart, as brief as photos' Bono - 'Surrender' Nick Cave Badger Bates Tickets to Artist Talk with Nick Stathopoulos at AGNSW Subscribe to the TWP monthly newsletter Installation photo - S.H.Ervin Gallery (see below for individual works) 'Somewhere in France 1', 2017, acrylic and collage on aluminium, 151 x 141cm ANU Art Collection 'Somewhere in France 2', 2017, acrylic and collage on aluminium, 151 x 141cm ANU Art Collection 'Somewhere in France 3', 2017, acrylic and collage on aluminium, 151 x 141cm ANU Art Collection 'Half Moon at the New', 2015, acrylic on aluminium, 153 x 153cm Courtesy of the artist and King Street Gallery 'Weipa Harbour Storm', 2005, acrylic and collage on board, 120 x 120cm 'Low tide Boodery National Park', 2015, acrylic and collage on board, 150 x 150cm Private collection
For those of you interested in portraiture in Australia, Yvette Coppersmith needs no introduction. She has painted dozens of portraits, including a collection of fascinating self-portraits, and is regularly shortlisted in the country's most competitive portrait awards. In 2018 she was awarded the one that would place her in Australian art history - the Archibald Prize. What has captured my attention more recently, though, are Yvette's abstract works, particularly a body of work I saw in her exhibition ‘Presage' at Sullivan + Strumpf in Sydney last year. They were thickly textured, swirling abstractions and how she came to create that show is as interesting as the paintings themselves. Yvette has been painting for over 20 years and her work is held in many public and private collections. In addition to winning the Archibald Prize, she has won the Metro 5 Art Award and has been a finalist multiple times in nearly every prestigious portrait prize in Australia, including the Doug Moran, Portia Geach, and Darling Portrait prizes. In this episode we follow her career from her early photorealistic works to her present-day experimentation with paint and genre, encompassing still lifes and interiors along the way. To hear the conversation click 'play' below the above photo. See below for images of the works we talk about in the show. Photograph of Yvette Coppersmith by Mel Savage Links Yvette Coppersmith's website Yvette Coppersmith on Instagram Yvette Coppersmith at Sullivan + Strumpf 'Presage' exhibition at Sullivan + Strumpf Roger Kemp 2019/20 retrospective at the National Gallery of Victoria Talking with Painters YouTube channel Sign up to the Talking with Painters newsletter 'Self-portrait after George Lambert', oil and acrylic on linen, 122 x 101.5cm, 2018 Winner Archibald Prize 2018 'Nude Self-portrait after Rah Fizelle', oil on linen, 91.5 x 66cm, 2016 Finalist, Portia Geach Memorial Award, 2016 'John Safran', oil on plywood, 120cm x 90cm, 2009 Archibald Prize finalist 2009 'John Safran', oil on plywood, 120cm x 90cm, 2009 Archibald Prize finalist 2009 'In the Garland, portrait of Paul Capsis', oil on linen, 22.5 x 111.5cm, 2007 Finalist, Archibald Prize, 2008 'Untitled Movement (Scarlet Lake)', oil on jute, 76.5 x 61cm, 2022 Photo: Matthew Stanton 'Untitled Movement (Triptych)', oil on jute, 3 x 122.5cm x 91.5cm Photo: Simon Hewson 'Arrangement with Grey and Yellow', oil on linen 61cm x 46cm , 2014 'Geranium and Succulents', oil on linen, 80cm x 59.5cm, 2015 Posthumous Portrait of Edith Morris, oil on linen, 86.5cm x 63.5cm, 2020 Photo: Matthew Stanton Collection of Melbourne Girls Grammar School
The gestural marks in Anthony White's work are often bold and demanding of the viewer's attention. These abstract works vary from swirling lines in saturated colour, to textured surfaces and more formal collaged constructions. What is not apparent on the surface of the canvas is the time the artist has spent reading, writing and researching in the lead-up to their creation. Newspapers and books play as much a role in his work as the paint itself and writing his own thoughts on social and political issues and current events are crucial to his creative process. In this podcast conversation we touch on those ideas but Anthony also makes many insightful observations about the creation itself. Born in Australia, Anthony is now Paris-based and is represented by several galleries in Europe and Australia. His first museum show, titled 'Mobilising Material', was held at the Mark Rothko Art Centre in Latvia in 2022. He also returned to Australia last year on a creative fellowship at the National Library of Australia where he researched Sidney Nolan‘s commissioned mural of the Eureka Stockade. (See below for a link to his presentation relating to that research) He has been awarded the Marten Bequest Travelling scholarship, amongst other residencies, and his work is held in public and private collections internationally. A video relating to this interview will be uploaded to the YouTube channel in the coming months. Click on 'play' below the above photo to hear the podcast episode. Photo supplied by the artist Links Website Anthony White on Instagram Anthony White at Metro Gallery Anthony White at Boullier Fine Art Anthony White at Artscape Luxembourg Mobilising Material Exhibition at the Mark Rothko Art Centre, Latvia National Library of Australia Creative Fellowship presentation 2022 (YouTube) Click here for my US highlights Instagram reel Subscribe to the TWP newsletter 'Lampedusa', 2019, oil and ripolin enamel on linen, 150 x 120cm 'The Landscape is never Innocent (after Mannalargenna)', 2018, oil and ripolin on linen Finalist and Highly Commended in 2018 Glover Prize 'Sanctuary' 2016, oil and shellac on linen, 120 x 100cm 'Federation Peak II', 2020, oil on linen, 150 x 120cm Finalist 2021 Glover Prize 'Ghost series XIII' 2022, acrylic and flash on linen, 90.5 x 90.5cm 'Proletariat', 2017, 91.5 x 91.5cm
Most artists know that painting a portrait in a tradition where colour and form appear realistic takes years of training where trial and error play an important part. This is part 2 of my interview with leading portrait painter Paul Newton. He makes the analogy of a painter being like a cook and it's an appropriate one. And like a celebrity chef printing his secret recipes in a cookbook, Paul shares in this episode many of the lessons he's learnt through his years of experience. In the first of this two part conversation, Paul spoke with me about how he became an artist and the stories behind several of his stunning portraits. In this episode, we talk more about the creation of his paintings. Amongst other things, we talk at length about colour, he shares the pitfalls when using photographic references, the challenges of painting backgrounds and he shares an interesting approach on how to see work with fresh eyes, something crucial for portraitists painting in a realistic style. Paul is a fifteen-time Archibald finalist (including twice People's Choice and Packing Room Prize winner), has 6 works in the National Portrait Gallery's collection and has painted dozens of commissions of notable people from politicians to movie stars. Although there are already some video clips of Paul talking with me on the Talking with Painters Instagram and Facebook pages, I'll be publishing a longer video on the YouTube channel in coming weeks. To hear the podcast episode click 'play' beneath the above photo. Links Click here for the TWP website if listening through your podcast app Hear Part 1 of this conversation here Paul Newton's website Paul Newton on Instagram Paul Newton on Facebook Robert Hannaford John Singer Sargent Diego Velazquez 'Pope Innocent X' by Diego Velazquez, Doria Pamphilj Gallery 'Lady Agnew of Lochnaw' (hi-res), John Singer Sargent, National Galleries of Scotland Graeme Inson 'Self portrait 2022', oil on linen, 35.5cm x 36cm Progress photos of 'Self Portrait 2022' The palette sheet Paul refers to at the beginning of the episode. ‘Portrait of Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness'oil on linen, 215 x 142.2cmFinalist Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, 2022 'Self portrait in lockdown, 2021' Finalist, Darling Portrait Prize 2022 ‘Maggie Tabberer 1999' Oil on canvas, 213.5 x 106.5cm 'Our Lady of the Southern Cross - Help of Christian' oil on Belgian linen 2011, 200 x 80cm Domus Australia chapel Rome 'St Mary of the Cross Mackillop', 2010 oil on Belgian linen 235 x 180cm, Domus Australia chapel, Rome Beethoven death mask study
It was the 80s. Paul Newton had finished a science degree and was a singer in a band. He sensed, though, that this was not meant to be his life's work. 'I'm a bit of a perfectionist and unless I can do something really well I find it frustrating to do it at all'. So he decided to change course and he put that perfectionism to good use; he is now one of Australia's most highly skilled and accomplished portrait painters. If you are interested in the Archibald prize, you no doubt will have seen a Paul Newton portrait. He's been a finalist 15 times, a People's Choice winner twice and Packing Room winner twice. But those portraits are just the tip of the iceberg. He has been painting the portraits of notable people for over 30 years, spanning the arts, business, law, sport, the church, the military and more. From Hugh Jackman to Kylie Minogue, from former prime minister Bob Hawke to former governor general Sir William Deane, from David Gonski to Frank Lowy, Roy and HG to David Campese, Maggie Tabberer and even Saint Mary Mackillop. Paul has six works in the National Portrait Gallery's collection, has been awarded art prizes in the US and his many commissions include 32 pictures for the interior of the Domus Australia Chapel in Rome. In this first of a two-part episode we talk about how he became an artist and the stories behind many works including his portraits of Hugh Jackman and Deborra Lee-Furness, Roy and HG and Maggie Tabberer. In the next episode we'll dive into other works but also talk more about technique including an in-depth discussion about his use of colour. To hear the episode click on play beneath the above feature photo. Latest YouTube videos and Newsletter Signup link Sign up for the Talking with Painters newsletter Tributes flow for Nicholas Harding Maria Stoljar takes you to the opening of Sydney Modern (3 minute video) Richard Lewer talks with Maria Stoljar about his commissioned work for the AGNSW Links Paul Newton's website Paul Newton on Instagram Nigel Thomson Norman Rockwell Max Meldrum Roy and HG Maggie Tabberer Hugh Jackman Deborra-Lee Furness David Campese John Singer Sargent 'Portrait of Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness' oil on linen, 215 x 142.2cm Finalist Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, 2022 'Roy and HG (John Doyle and Greig Pickhaver)' Oil on canvas 137.5 x 124 cm Finalist Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, 2001, Packing Room Prize winner, People's Choice winner (L) 'Maggie Tabberer 1999' Oil on canvas, 213.5 x 106.5cm (R) 'Maggie Tabberer 2020' Oil on linen, 213.5 x 130.5 cm 'David Campese II', 2000, oil on canvas, 125.0 cm x 115.0 cm Collection: National Portrait Gallery The Beethoven death mask study which Paul talks about at 27min 15sec
It's hard to define what makes a good landscape painting but, if you investigate the backstory, you might find the artist has a close connection with that place. In Belinda Street's October show at Straitjacket Artspace, 'Keep your feet on the ground and your thoughts at lofty heights', her bond with the alpine landscape was obvious, particularly with Mt Kosciuszko in NSW. Her repeated exploration of that mountain has led to exciting reimaginings in paint. A winner of one of Australia's most significant landscape painting prizes, the Paddington Art Prize, Belinda evokes a reverence for this natural environment through expressive mark making and dramatic use of colour. It was this body of work which we talked about in front of an audience as part of the Newcastle Art Gallery Society art program and which I'm bringing to you in this podcast episode. We also touched on Belinda's early career, the representational and the abstract in her work, juggling motherhood and an art practice, as well as many aspects of her process including colour preferences, how she sees work with fresh eyes and ways of achieving a flow state in the studio. The conversation was recorded at Newcastle City Hall on 5 October 2022. Click 'play' beneath the above photo to hear the interview. You can also see my YouTube video here of Belinda at Straitjacket Artspace which we filmed the day before our talk. Upcoming shows Group show 'Darlings' at Curatorial & Co, Sydney, 30 November - 10 December 2022 Links Belinda Street's website Belinda Street on Instagram Exhibition at Straitjacket Artspace Toby Cedar https://youtu.be/5Lh5gM2GsSM 'Yellow Box Gully', 2019, oil on canvas, 100 x 150cm Winner 2019 Paddington Art Prize 'Organ Pipes 2', oil on board, 51 x 61cm 'Along the Organ Pipes Track 3', oil on canvas, 100 x 150cm 'Walking Kunanyi 2', oil on canvas, 40 x 40cm 'Renewal', acrylic on board, 40.6 x 30.5cm 'Parrots of Central Australia' (12 panels in total) this panel: Major Mitchells Cockatoo, acrylic on canvas 'Mr Toby Cedar', oil on canvas, 180 x 150cm
We lost one of our greatest artists last night. Nicholas Harding - landscape, still life and portrait painter - and my heart sank when I heard the news. It's early afternoon and already there are many tributes coming through in the newspapers and social media. It's clear he will be greatly missed by many. When I started this podcast, Nicholas Harding was on my wish list and when he agreed to an interview three years later I felt like I had hit the jackpot. I was right. He was one of the most authentic, warm and thoughtful guests I've interviewed and it was a privilege to meet him in his studio. Although Nicholas was a highly acclaimed painter with sell out shows, he spoke with me in a grounded and humble way. He was humorous and not afraid to reveal moments of self doubt. He was also open about the cancer treatment he'd undergone the previous year and, in what seems typical of his nature, he was more interested in sympathising with those who were worse off than himself. It's this interview which was first published in 2019 that I'm posting again to the podcast. I also made a video from our conversations that day. (link below). There is no doubt that Nicholas will be remembered as one of Australia's most gifted painters of the 21st century. He won many major art prizes including the Archibald prize (in which he was a finalist 19 times) and a few months ago he won the Wynne prize with his painting 'Eora', one of the most complex, immersive landscapes that you will ever see, manipulating impasto paint to represent nature yet still retaining an astonishing abstract quality. He was particularly interested in light; how it came through differently depending on the foliage, how it landed on the ground, how it created various kinds of shadows and how different it was to the light in England where he spent the first nine years of his life. I spoke with him at the Art Gallery of NSW shortly after he won the prize and that conversation is a video (link below) and is included in episode 127 of the podcast. Nicholas has also been recognised for his wonderful drawings and in this episode we talked about works he made from life of well known actors while they were in theatre rehearsals and performances. Those drawings were later published in the book ‘From the Wings'. Nicholas' works are held in many public institutions including the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of NSW, the National Portrait gallery and the Art Gallery of South Australia. My condolences to Nicholas' wife Lynne and son Sam. Vale Nicholas. Thank you for making this world a more beautiful place. Video Links My conversation with Nicholas in his studio (2019) My interview with Nicholas at the Art Gallery of NSW (2022) My Instagram walk through of the exhibition 'Landscape and Birds' at Olsen Gallery, 2020 My Instagram video of the exhibition 'From the Wings' at Olsen Gallery, 2020 https://youtu.be/NWezJHrg9P4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfSo9xcFrEQ&t=81s
There is something mesmerising about Fred Fowler's paintings. The multitude of small, colour-filled shapes scattered across a monochrome background raise a lot of questions. Is that a pink cat? A cactus? An alien? Next to a mobile phone tower? Are they related? Other amorphous elements seem purely abstract but still somehow evoke a response; a memory, an emotion. The viewer is taken into an alternate space where objects might be floating or fixed but often not identifiable. Ultimately it's a sensory experience which demands multiple viewings so it's not surprising that these works fly off gallery walls in sell-out shows. Fred's work is held in the National Gallery of Australia and, although his roots are in graffiti art and graphic design, as soon as he began his studies at the Victorian College of the Arts it became clear to him the direction he should take. In this interview he talks about that transition, the artists who have influenced him and the thoughts behind his work, openly sharing the struggles and doubts. It was a revealing and enjoyable conversation. Fred is represented by Sophie Gannon Gallery and Jan Murphy Gallery. To hear the podcast interview click on play beneath the above feature photo. A short Youtube video of Fred in his Melbourne studio will be uploaded to the Talking with Painters YouTube channel in the coming weeks. Photo supplied by the artist Upcoming shows Solo show at Sophie Gannon Gallery, Melbourne, 2023 Links Fred Fowler website Fred Fowler on Instagram Fred Fowler at Jan Murphy Gallery Fred Fowler at Sophie Gannon Gallery Banksy 'The Element of Crime', Lars von Trier 'Cut Piece' - Yoko Ono Francis Bacon Ramellzee (YouTube documentary) 'In the Making, artist series' which includes part of Fred's video work 'Plc Ntrvw' Digital work 'Samizdat 4' (cropped) 2021 as appears on Instagram 'Mooloomba Rd, Point Lookout' (2020), synthetic polymer paint and oil paint on wood panel, 90 x 100cm 'In this sunset' (2021), synthetic polymer paint on wood panel, 100 x 90 cm 'Overgrown' 2020, synthetic polymer paint and oil paint on wood panel, 100 x 90 cm 'Tarkine (study)' (2019), oil paint and gold leaf on wood panel, 70 x 60 cm 'Above Cylinder Beach' (2018), oil stick on wood panel, 60 x 70cm Still from 'Samizdat 4' 2021, digital, looping See video on Instagram (cropped) here Dimensions: 1078 × 606 Duration: 0:15 Blockchain: Ethereum 'Cultural amnesia (Liquid State)' 2012, spraypaint and synthetic polymer paint on wood panel, 100 x 130cm
Jacqui Stockdale is a previous podcast guest . I asked her back onto the show after I saw a series of moving portraits she posted on Instagram. Her stepfather, George Stirling, was nearing the end of his life and Jacqui was painting the portraits of family and friends who were visiting over that difficult time. George passed away in June. The works were swiftly painted alla prima, mostly in one sitting from life or an iPhone image, and the resulting group of over twenty portraits is titled 'Heads of the Family'. In this episode Jacqui talks with me about the experience of painting those works which include a self-portrait and portrayals of George from life. Jacqui's work crosses many disciplines which defy description spanning from painting, sculpture, photography, collage and performance and her imagery includes portrayals of Ned Kelly, lots of masks, naked figures and horses heads. She has painted the portrait throughout her career and in 2018 was one of only twenty artists to be commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery to mark its 20th year. Jacqui is represented by Olsen Gallery in Sydney. Current and upcoming shows, as well as images of paintings we talk about in this episode, are listed below. Above portrait photo of Jacqui Stockdale by Ilona Nelson (cropped) Current and upcoming exhibitions 'Nudes of Chong', Rose Chong Costumier, Gertrude St, Melbourne, current until 24 September 2022 'The Outlaw's Inn', Benalla Art Gallery, Benalla, Victoria, November 2022 Links Subscribe to the Talking with Painters Newsletter Jacqui Stockdale website Jacqui Stockdale on Instagram Jacqui Stockdale at Olsen Gallery Previous podcast interview with Jacqui Rick Stirling, George's brother George Stirling Jacqui Stockdale, Self Portrait Drawings of George Stirling Jacqui Stockdale's mother, Maree Stockdale George Stirling's sister Trish Stirling 'An artist practising' - self portrait
'Colour, for me, is the main game' Idris Murphy tells me as we sit in his studio in Sydney's southern suburb of Kurnell, a stone's throw from Botany Bay. On various easels around the room are works in progress. His distinctive energetic brushstrokes, often using metallic paint, the carefully placed collage pieces and thin lines scratched into the wet surface are just part of what makes up his arresting work. And yes, colour takes centre stage - in this case bringing life to the landscape of the Northern Territory's East MacDonnell ranges which he has visited and revisited. Idris Murphy is one of Australia's leading landscape painters and his work sits between representation and abstraction. He was inspired from an early age by the work of Matisse but, as he later explored what it meant to paint the Australian landscape, it was the way the Indigenous artists saw the land that influenced him to take into account both traditions. In recognition of his career, the survey show 'Idris Murphy: BACKBLOCKS' has just opened at the Drill Hall Gallery in Canberra. Curated by gallery director Terence Maloon, the exhibition includes important works from the last 30 years of more than 50 years of work. The exhibition will also travel to Orange Regional Gallery and S.H Ervin Gallery and a monograph will be available in early 2023. Idris has won the Gallipoli Art prize, has exhibited in 40 solo shows and group shows including a previous major travelling survey exhibition in 2009-2010. His work is held in the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of NSW and other state and corporate collections. His love of literature, poetry and philosophy also comes through clearly in our conversation and you can find references to the works he mentioned in the podcast episode in the links below. I'll also be uploading a short video we filmed on the day of the interview onto the Youtube channel and this website in the coming weeks. Idris is represented by King Street Gallery on William in Sydney. To hear the podcast interview, click 'play' beneath the above feature photo Upcoming shows and talks Survey show, 'BACKBLOCKS', Drill Hall Gallery, Canberra, August 19 to October 16, 2022The above survey show will then travel to Orange Regional Gallery and S.H Ervin Gallery Group show 'Earth Canvas', Australian National Museum, Canberra 25 August to 20 October 2022Solo show 'NOW AND THEN' Mitchell Fine Art, Brisbane, 18 October to 5 November 2022 Links Idris Murphy (website)Idris Murphy at King Street Gallery on William George Steiner - 'Real Presences'Hilary Spurling - ‘The Unknown Matisse'Lloyd ReesKevin ConnorPatrick White Colin LanceleyPhilip Guston John McDonaldVideo by Sean O'Brien 'Idris Murphy – Empyrean: scattering of stars'Annie Dillard Frank AuerbachKen WhissonJack Green (ANU art collection)John BergerFowler's Gap Research Station - UNSWBadger Bates (Artist Profile magazine)Christopher Neve ‘Unquiet landscape'Giorgio Morandi Piero Della FrancescaAlberto GiacomettiRoss LaurieMartin Buber - ‘I and Thou' Gallipoli Evening, 2013, acrylic and collage on board, 130 x 120cmWinner Gallipoli Art Prize 2014 Evening Tide 2020, acrylic & collage on aluminium, 141 x 151cmImage courtesy of the artist and King Street Gallery on William Afternoon to Evening Fowlers Gap 2009 acrylic & collage on board 120 x 110cmImage courtesy of the artist and King Street Gallery on William Somewhere in France 2 2017 acrylic & collage on aluminium 151 x 141cmImage courtesy of the artist and King Street Gallery on William Works in progress which we talk about in the podcast episode at about 1hr 12mins Work in progress which we talk about in the podcast at about 1hr 22mins
For over 25 years, previous podcast guest Luke Sciberras has been immersing himself in landscapes across the world, returning to his studio to draw on the smaller works created from life. His paintings are bold and have a commanding presence. Many of those works, as well as drawings and prints, have been brought together for the first time in two excellent survey shows. The exhibitions, titled 'Luke Sciberras: Side of the Sky', are running concurrently at Campbelltown Arts Centre and Bathurst Regional Art Gallery in NSW and include works sourced from public and private collections around the world. A beautiful monograph also accompanies the exhibitions (link below). The shows end on 7 August 2022. I interviewed Luke in 2019 in his studio in Hill End, NSW - an old stone church built in the 19th century - and the conversation we recorded is episode 64 of the podcast. I also recorded video on that day and this episode is the full audio recording from that video. The popular 4 minute YouTube video made from the recording can be seen on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel. Luke has exhibited in over 40 solo shows, his work is held in the collection of the Art Gallery of NSW and many regional galleries and in corporate and private collections. This conversation was recorded in the lead up to Luke's show with his Sydney gallery, King Street Gallery on William, which was called ‘Rose into View'. To hear this episode click on 'play' beneath the above photo. Current exhibition Survey exhibition ‘Side of the Sky' Campbelltown Arts Centre and Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, current until 7 August 2022 Links Luke Sciberras websiteLuke Sciberras on InstagramLuke Sciberras at King Street Gallery on WilliamLuke Sciberras at Scott Livesey GalleriesTalking with Painters YouTube video ‘Luke Sciberras talks with Maria Stoljar in his studio'Talking with Painters podcast episode 64Maria Stoljar Instagram video at Campbelltown Arts Centre's 'Luke Sciberras: Side of the Sky' Monograph 'Luke Sciberras: Side of the Sky' https://youtu.be/htLK3TzbUNo 'White Christmas, Bell, NSW', 2020oil on board160 x 244 cm; 162.5 x 246.5 cm framedImage: Art Gallery of NSW website Finalist Wynne prize 2020 'North Facing, Belle Ile', 2018oil on board120.00 x 160.00 cmImage: Scott Livesey Galleries website 'Shelly Beach (Portsea)'2020oil on board120.00 x 120.00 cmImage: Scott Livesey Galleries website
Most artists remember their first show. Maybe they were lucky enough to sell a few works, usually to family and friends. Daniel Boyd remembers his. It was in the year he graduated from university, 2005, but family and friends didn't stand a chance. The entire exhibition was bought by the National Gallery of Australia. Daniel describes himself in those university days in Canberra as ‘a shy young First Nations man from Far North Queensland'. That reserved nature still comes through even though I was speaking with him at the exhibition 'Treasure Island' which celebrates his career with over 80 works in one of Australia's most important art institutions, the Art Gallery of NSW. Daniel's First Nations heritage is central to his work. His ancestors were part of the Stolen Generation. Forced to let go of their culture and language, they lived in fear that if they shared it with their children they would be taken away from them. In an interview in the Gallery's Look magazine Daniel said that that forced withholding of culture meant that he always felt there was something missing and it was at university that he tried to make sense of that. One of the striking aspects of Daniel's work is the way he both reveals and obscures his subject. Using a pointillist technique, he places a multitude of translucent dots over the image creating a series of convex lenses, as he refers to them, and while you can see the image through these lenses the rest of the image is painted out. Although this creates a visually alluring effect, there's more to this technique than just the physical use of the material. There are concepts behind it which relate to ways of seeing and perception and which are interestingly explored in the book accompanying the exhibition (see link below). The show has been curated by Isobel Parker Philip, Senior Curator of Contemporary Australian Art and Erin Vink, curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, both at the Art Gallery of NSW. Daniel has exhibited in over 30 solo shows, has won the Bulgari Award amongst others, and his work is held in many other public institutions including the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria and the Natural History Museum in London. Click play beneath the above feature photo to hear the podcast episode. Current exhibition 'Treasure Island', Art Gallery of NSW, current to 29 January 2023 Links Daniel Boyd on Instagram Daniel Boyd at Roslyn Oxley9 GalleryEdouard GlissantDaniel Boyd: 'Treasure Island', (book accompanying the exhibition) at the Art Gallery bookshop also available through many other online booksellers Untitled 2014 , oil, pastel, archival glue on canvas 315 x 224 cm Collection Art Gallery of New South Wales Winner of the Bulgari Art Award 2014 Photo: AGNSW 'Untitled (FS)' 2016, 215.0 x 343.0 cmoil, charcoal and archival glue on linenCollection: Art Gallery of NSW 'Untitled (PI3)' 2013 Oil and archival glue on linen 214 x 300 cm Private Collection 'We Call them Pirates Out Here' 2006 oil on canvas 226 H x 276 W x 3.5 D cm Museum of Contemporary Art Museum of Contemporary Art, purchased with funds provided by the Coe and Mordant families, 2006 Daniel Boyd Untitled (WWDTCG) 2020 Oil, charcoal, pastel and archival glue on canvas 87 x 87 cm Collection of Anthony Medich, Sydney Installation view of the Daniel Boyd: Treasure Island exhibition on display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, 4 June 2022 – January 2023, photo © AGNSW, Jenni Carter.
In 2010 Sam Leach won the Archibald and Wynne Prizes, two of Australia's most famous awards for portraiture and landscape painting, becoming only the third person in the prizes' history to win both in the same year. The two artists to achieve this rare distinction before him were 20th century greats Sir William Dobell and Brett Whiteley. I remember seeing those two small paintings hanging in the Art Gallery of NSW and being struck by their beauty and exquisite detail. The debate surrounding his Wynne Prize painting that year, which caused a small media storm, is something we dive into in this episode. I've been intrigued by Sam's work ever since then. His art delves into the areas of science and nature, and in more recent years, he's used Artificial Intelligence and machine learning to initiate his paintings. It was fascinating to hear him talk about this approach. With a distinctly surrealist feel, Sam's work also reveals his continued interest in the Dutch masters of the 17th century which began in his early career. In his current show at Sullivan+Strumpf in Sydney, moody utopian landscapes team up with incongruous elements such as huge 'bubbles' and globular and tubular forms often hinting at or including a human presence. Other works depict animals, particularly polar bears, created from machine learning. These paintings, and the rather comical-looking Polar Bear Detector devised by Sam (where you can test how closely you resemble a polar bear) encourage us to see ourselves and the creatures with which we share the planet from a new perspective. The exhibition, with the unsettling title ‘Everything Will Probably Be Fine', continues until 16 July 2022. Sam has exhibited in 30 solo shows nationally and across the globe, has won several other awards apart from the Archibald and Wynne, and his work is held by many private and public collections including Australia's National Portrait Gallery. A short video of Sam talking about his work will be uploaded to the Talking with Painters YouTube channel in the coming weeks. Scroll down for images of the works we discuss in this episode. Press play to hear our conversation and scroll down for images of the works we talk about in this episode. Above feature photo supplied by the artist Current shows 'Everything is going to be fine', solo show, Sullivan + Strumpf, Sydney, until 16 July 2022'Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes Exhibition', Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney, until 28 August Links Sam Leach (website)Sam Leach (Instagram)Sam Leach at Sullivan+StrumpfSam Leach talks with Professor Kate Crawford (Sullivan+Strumpf magazine article)Professor Mandyam Svrinivasan talks about his work and his portrait by Sam Leach in the National Portrait Gallery (National Portrait Gallery video) 'Machine-assisted memory of Harewood Farm, Meadows', 2022oil on linen, 51 x 51 cmFinalist Wynne Prize 2022, Art Gallery of NSWImage: AGNSW website 'Tim Minchin', 2010oil and resin on wood, 60 x 38 cmWinner of the Archibald Prize 2010Images: AGNSW website 'Proposal for landscaped cosmos', 2010 oil and resin on wood, 32.2 x 29.9 cmWinner of the Wynne Prize 2010, Art Gallery of NSW Images: AGNSW website 'Large Bubble', 2022oi on linen, 240 x 175cmImage courtesy the artist and Sullivan+Strumpf 'Polar Bear With Optimised Bananas', 2022oil on linen, 51 x 51cmImage courtesy the artist and Sullivan+Strumpf 'Polar Bear Detection I', 2022 oil on linen, 51 x 51 cmImage courtesy the artist and Sullivan+Strumpf 'Professor Mandyam Srinivasan', 2014oil and resin on plywood (frame: 65.5 cm x 50.5 cm, support: 61.0 cm x 46.0 cm)Collection: National Portrait Gallery 'Two Bubbles', 2022, oil on linen, 51 x 51cm. Image courtesy the artist and Sullivan+Strumpf
It's that time of the year! The winners of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes have been announced at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and in this episode you'll hear my interviews with each of those artists about their winning works: Blak Douglas (Archibald Prize)Nicholas Harding (Wynne Prize)Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro (Sulman Prize) The Archibald Wynne and Sulman Prizes exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW runs until 28 August 2022 and will then travel to Victoria and regional NSW until July 2023. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists! Links Blak Douglas - episode 68 Talking with Painters (podcast and YouTube video)Blak Douglas in his studio - TWP YouTube ChannelBlak Douglas delivering his Archibald winning painting on the loading dock - TWP YouTube channelNicholas Harding - episode 65 Talking with Painters (podcast and YouTube video)Nicholas Harding in his studio - TWP YouTube ChannelClaire Healy and Sean Cordeiro (website) Blak Douglas, 'Moby Dickens', synthetic polymer paint on linen, 300 x 200 cm Winner of the Archibald Prize 2022© the artist image © AGNSW, Mim Stirling Nicholas Harding, 'Eora', oil on linen, 196.5 x 374.8 cm Winner of the Wynne Prize 2022© the artist, image © AGNSW, Mim Stirling Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro, 'Raiko and Shuten-dōji', acrylic gouache, jute and tape on helicopter shell, 159.5 x 120 cm Winner of the Sulman Prize 2022© the artists, image © AGNSW, Mim Stirling
One of Australia's most significant artists returns to the podcast! Del Kathryn Barton spoke with me the day before the opening of her spectacular exhibition ‘the women who fell to earth' at Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, showing until 28 May 2022. Internationally renowned, Del is well known in Australia for having won the country's most famous art prize twice - the Archibald Prize - and her works are held in many private collections and public institutions. This year the National Gallery of Australia acquired her largest single-panel work she has made to date, 'my heart is blazing 11 hours', and we talk about the work in this episode. Although difficult to describe in words, Del's work often depicts a female sensuality which is at the same time beautiful and confrontational - set in an intricately detailed imaginary world. She is also a self-described optimist and the work hanging in this exhibition is a testament to that, with vivid colour bursting from the canvas. We also discuss other art forms she has recently been engaged in, including a major project she has been developing over the last 4 years which has now come to fruition. Del's first feature film 'Blaze', a very personal work which she directed and co-wrote, is debuting at the Tribeca Film festival in June and it's one of only 10 films selected in the International Narrative competition. It has also been selected for Official Competition in the upcoming Sydney film festival, again one of only ten films selected internationally. You'll also hear about the origins of her arresting timber sculptures included in the exhibition. Large shell forms inlaid with exquisite materials which reference very personal themes. To hear the conversation press 'play' beneath the above feature photo. You can hear the previous 2019 podcast interview where Del talks about her life and art here. A short video of highlights of this conversation will be uploaded to the Talking With Painters YouTube channel in the coming weeks. Current exhibition 'the women who fell to earth' at Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney, 6 May to 28 May 2022'Blaze at the Tribeca Film Festival on 9, 10 and 17 June 2022'Blaze' at the Sydney Film Festival, 17, 18 and 19 June 2022 Links to things we talk about on the show Del Kathryn Barton on InstagramDel Kathryn Barton at Roslyn Oxley 9Del Kathryn Barton at Albertz Benda Talking With Painters YouTube channel'Blaze' at the Tribeca Film Festival'Blaze' at the Sydney Film Festival the women who have gathered for the earth, 2021-22acrylic on linen203 x 353 cmSource: Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery website the women who came from the earth, 2022acrylic on linen203 x 303 cm her earth nature, 2022acrylic on linen243 x 203 cmSource: Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery website of her own nature, 2022Cambia Ash with Cambia Ash and Rock Maple inlay, Abalone Blue and White Fresh Water mother of pearl inlay, hardwax oil, blackened steel190 x 100 x 80 cm
It's not often that an artist gets to see almost a quarter of a century of their work in one space but in this episode Steve Lopes tells me what that feels like. The impressive survey exhibition 'Encountered', curated by Kon Gouriotis and now showing at the S.H.Ervin Gallery in Sydney, brings together 120 of Steve Lopes' works including over 80 paintings and drawings, sketchbooks, prints and collages. This is a must-see exhibition especially for those interested in figurative painting. In my previous interview with Steve, he expressed the view that to be successful, a painting requires a gritty element - a bit of 'poison'. When I visited the exhibition a couple of weeks ago, though, it wasn't only that grittiness that struck me but also the humanity evident in the works, not only in the figures but also in the environments they inhabit. Desolate wartime landscapes hinting at the loss of human life, a dog wandering across a suburban backlot, figures enigmatically positioned on a coastal landscape; these scenes exude an air of melancholy but often also a familiarity. Steve has exhibited in close to 40 solo shows across Australia and in London and Hong Kong. He has won the Gallipoli Art Prize, the Kings School Art Prize and has been shortlisted in many others. His work is held in the National Gallery of Australia, the Parliament House Collection, the State Library of NSW and many other public and private collections. We met at the S.H.Ervin gallery as the exhibition was being installed and we talked about a selection of works (pictured below), the story behind them as well as insights into his practice. The show continues at the S.H.Ervin Gallery until 8 May 2022 and will then travel to Orange Regional Gallery where it will run from 21 May. To hear the podcast episode click 'play' beneath the above feature photo. Time stamps for each painting 3:30 Trench Life8:25 Aurora Track12:45 Creek Bed Study16:00 Uncommon Figures27:15 Warren Ellis etching and painting29:49 Railway Club Exhibition details Survey exhibition 'Encountered', S.H Ervin Gallery, Sydney, 26 March to 8 May 2022, then touring to:Survey exhibition 'Encountered', Orange Regional Gallery, 21 May to 17 July 2022 Links Steve Lopes websiteLopes at Stella Downer Fine ArtLopes at Mitchell Fine ArtLopes at Queenscliff GalleryLopes at Penny Contemporary Talking with Painters 2019 interview with Steve Lopes Guy Warren Euan MacleodLuke Sciberras'Aesop' by Jusepe di Ribera acquired by the AGNSW 'Trench Life', 2015, oil on canvas, 130 x 180cm 'Aurora Track', 2017, 130 x 130 cm, oil on canvas 'Exposed Wood, Mont St Quentin', 2017, 140 x 160 cm, oil on canvas, Gallipoli Club CollectionWinner 2018 Gallipoli Art Prize 'Creek Bed Study', 2018, oil on canvas, 90 x 90cm 'Uncommon Figures', 2020, 152 x 153 cm, oil on canvas 'Warren Ellis', 2017, oil on canvas, 180 x 130cm 'Warren Ellis', 2017, intaglio etching on Hahnemühle paper, 70 x 50cm 'Railway Club', 2020, oil on canvas, 100 x 120cm
Marikit Santiago is one of Australia's most impressive artists, combining a skilful representational painting technique with powerful imagery. Mythology, Disney, her Filipino heritage, religion, guilt, motherhood and family are examples of the subject matter she draws from and her upcoming show, 'For us sinners' at 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art in Sydney, is set to contain some of the most impactful work she has produced to date. What's equally striking is the contrast between her painting style and the surface on which she often chooses to paint: found cardboard, typically in the form of flattened packing boxes complete with rips, creases and packing tape! Marikit won the Art Gallery of NSW's Sulman prize in 2020 with her work ‘The Divine', a painting of her three children who were also her collaborators. We talk in this episode about how they contribute to her practice and why that collaboration is so important to her work. Apart from winning the Sulman, Marikit has been a finalist in many other prizes including the Archibald prize twice. She has exhibited in 6 solo shows and her upcoming exhibition at 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art is her first institutional show. It is curated by Micheal Do and opens on 26 March 2022. We recorded this conversation in Marikit's garage studio with her stunning recent work, Thy Kingdom Come, leaning precariously against the easel. Rich with cultural and religious symbolism, as well as quite a few cartoon characters, the complex painting had been finished the day before our interview, after nine months' work. A short video of Marikit in her studio will also be uploaded to the Talking with Painters YouTube channel and this website soon. To hear the podcast episode click 'play' beneath the above feature photo. Current and upcoming exhibition Solo exhibition 'For us sinners', 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, Sydney, 26 March to 15 May 2022 Archibald Prize 2021, currently showing at Cowra Regional Art Gallery, NSW, until 1 May 2022 Links Marikit SantiagoMarikit Santiago on Instagram Egon SchieleRodel TapayaJojit SolanoBalikbayan BoxAida Tomescu video Thy Kingdom Come, 2021 – 2022, interior paint, acrylic, oil, pyrography, pen, gold leaf on found cardboard (pen and paint markings by Santi Mateo Santiago and Sarita Santiago), collaboration with Maella Santiago, 167cm x 307cm. Courtesy of the artist and The Something Machine, Bellport, New York. Photo credit: Garry Trinh Tagsibol/tagsabong, 2019, acrylic, oil, pyrography, pen and paint on found cardboard144.5 x 214 cmFinalist, Sulman Prize, 2019, Art Gallery of NSW Filipiniana (self-portrait in collaboration with Maella Santiago Pearl), acrylic, interior paint, pen and oil on found cardboard110.5 x 100.7 cmPhoto: Garry TrinhFinalist Archibald Prize AGNSW 2021 The divine, acrylic, oil, pen, pyrography and 18ct gold leaf on ply179.5 x 120.5 cmWinner Sir John Sulman Prize, AGNSW, 2020 The Serpent and the Swan, 2021, interior paint, acrylic, pyrography, oil and Dutch metal gold leaf on found cardboard, 162cm x 77cm x 2cm.Photo: Garry Trinh The Serpent and the Swan, 2021 interior paint, acrylic, pyrography, oil and Dutch metal gold leaf on found cardboard, 162cm x 77cm x 2cm.Photo: Garry Trinh
I interviewed the acclaimed artist Tom Carment for the podcast in 2019 and this episode is the extended audio recording from video I filmed in his studio. A lot was going on creatively for Tom at the time. It was at about the same time as his book ‘Womerah Lane: Lives and Landscapes' was released and his solo show at King Street gallery in Sydney was about to open. As soon as I arrived at his Womerah Lane terrace I saw that it was overtaken by preparations for that show. Once Tom has created his work he then makes their frames from beautiful Tasmanian blackwood and the frames were in various states of completion throughout the dining area and the studio. By coincidence, I'm publishing this episode as Tom is going through the very same process in the lead up to his next show with King Street Gallery which opens on 22 March 2022. It's taken over two months to make the frames. They are works of art in themselves with each corner joined with wooden keys and he thinks carefully about which work would best suit the timber of each unique frame. When I spoke with Tom he had been living in Adelaide where he and his wife Jan had pared back their belongings and rented a one-bedroom worker's cottage where they had only intended to stay for a year. But since then Covid took hold and his upcoming show is called ‘Two years in South Australia'. It's a beautiful body of work and what struck me in particular was a series of exquisite works of the lighthouse on Corny Point, Yorke peninsula, where he camped for several weeks and which he observed and painted at different times of the day. Tom has won numerous art prizes (including the Gallipoli, Mosman and NSW Parliament Plein Air Painting Prize) and has been shortlisted countless times in others including the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes and the Salon des Refuses. He has exhibited in over 25 solo shows and his work is held in public and private collections internationally. ‘Womerah Lane', the latest of several books he has written, was shortlisted in the NSW Premier's literary awards last year. You can see the edited video version of this recording on my YouTube channel here and listen to the previous podcast episode (ep 78) where Tom talks with me about his life and how he became an artist here. To hear this podcast episode click on 'play' beneath the above photo. Upcoming show Solo show 'Two years in South Australia' at King Street Gallery, Sydney, 22 March to xx April 2022 Links Tom Carment websiteTom Carment at King Street Gallery 'Womerah Lane: Lives and Landscapes'YouTube Video of Tom Carment edited from this recording https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcvytTVt3Is 'Corny Point Lighthouse II', oil on marine ply, 16 x 21cm 'Yellowtail Mackeral on Robert's plate', oil on linen, 30.5 x 38cm 'Plane Tree, Mount Lofty, winter morning', oil on marine ply, 30.5 x 38cm 'Returning surfer, Berry Bay', oil on linen, 25 x 30cm 'Sugar Bananas', oil on linen, 25 x 30cm Works mentioned in the podcast episode Yellow tail and snapper paintingsat 5:45 of the podcast episode One of the typewriter paintings - discussed at 7:45 of the episode'Sally's Underwood', oil on linen, 2017, 41 x 51cm Mount Lofty paintings - discussed at 10:25 Piccadilly road - Adelaide Hills paintings discussed at 12:15 Portrait of James Scanlon in the studio - discussed at 12:45 'Katoomba portrait – James Scanlon' oil on linen, 32 x 25 cmFinalist in the Archibald prize 2019, Art Gallery of NSW
This is the second episode of my summer series where I'm bringing you longer conversations with past podcast guests, from recordings when taking video of the artists for the Talking with Painters YouTube channel. The video of this episode's fabulous artist, Nicole Kelly, is the second most watched on the channel, which currently has over 150 videos*. Nicole Kelly is an acclaimed Sydney artist, having won multiple art prizes, and you can find out more about her career and how she became an artist in my original 2019 podcast interview (episode 75). In this episode she talks about working en plein air, how she sources colour for her work, the importance of making mistakes and lots more. Her next solo show ‘Opacity of Time' with her Melbourne gallery, This Is No Fantasy, opens on 25 February 2022 and I've included a selection of the exciting works going into that show below. Nicole also has a solo show coming up in August with Arthouse Gallery in Sydney and her work will be included in a curated show ‘Quintet: 5 southern Sydney Artists' at Hazelhurst Arts Centre in September. Its hard to explain what I love about Nicole's work but there's a kind of mystery and romance to her paintings through her use of colour and mark which draws me in every time. To hear this episode press 'play' beneath the above feature photo. * The most watched video is the first 'loading dock' video where I interviewed entrants to the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes at the Art Gallery of NSW in 2019. Link to the YouTube channel in links below. Upcoming shows Solo show, 'Opacity of Time', This Is No Fantasy, Melbourne, opening 25 February, 2022Solo show, Arthouse Gallery, Sydney, opening 18 August 2022Group show 'Quintet: 5 Southern Sydney artists', Hazelhurst Arts Centre, opening 10 September 2022 Links Nicole Kelly (website)Nicole Kelly (Instagram)Nicole Kelly at This is No FantasyNicole Kelly at Arthouse GalleryVideo of Nicole Kelly made from the recording in this episodeTalking with Painters YouTube channelTalking with Painters podcast interview of Nicole Kelly - episode 75 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6yRDLvAeGA 'Night walker', 2022oil on polyester, 167 x 198cm Double self (Valley between doubt and dream), 2021. Oil on polyester, 138 x 152cmFinalist Portia Geach Memorial Award 2021 'Last song', 2022135 x 227.5 cm, oil on polyester 'Poppy and Matisse', 2022oil on polyester, 89 x 73.5 cm 'To the sky something lost' 2019 oil on polyester 123.5 x 169.5 cm (framed) ‘Studio nude (self portrait)', 2019, oil on polyesterFinalist 2019 Portia Geach Memorial Award
In podcast episode 101 I spoke with leading Australian artist Joshua Yeldham in the lead-up to his sell-out show ‘Providence' at Arthouse Gallery in Sydney. I remember being fascinated by his approach to painting and his views on the creative process. We also recorded a separate video and this episode is the first of my 2022 Summer Series which is a collection of extended audio recordings from videos I've taken of my podcast guests. Joshua's works are extraordinary. His paintings often involve an element of carving into the wooden surface of the work and in some cases he inserts pieces of cane which add a further dimension to the work. But it's the physical method of doing that work which enhances his creative process and you'll hear him explain this and many other aspects of his practice in this episode. If you're in Sydney you can see several stunning Yeldham works in Arthouse Gallery's Summer group show which also includes work of podcast guests Colin Pennock, Susan Baird, Nicole Kelly, Jo Bertini, Michaye Boulter and Belinda Fox as well as many other skilled artists. The exhibition continues until 29 January 2022. See below for a short video version of this episode filmed in Joshua's Sydney studio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ocg2oLZ008 Links Joshua Yeldham (website)Joshua Yeldham at Arthouse GalleryTalking with Painters interview, Episode 101My video walk through of Joshua Yeldham's exhibition 'Providence' at Arthouse Gallery in 2020 Episode 101 YouTube video
Whether it's a moody vase of flowers, a reclining nude or the incredible ridges of the Blue Mountains, Robert Malherbe depicts his subject matter in sensuous, fluid brushstrokes which give the impression the painting was completed only moments ago. Working from life, it is vitality which Robert aims to capture in his work and by painting alla prima and completing the work in one session, the viewer ultimately witnesses the movement and life which has been captured in each brushstroke. He has won the NSW Parliament Plein Air Art Prize and the Manning Art Prize and has been shortlisted in the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes multiple times as well as being shortlisted in many others. He is represented in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and New York, has had 25 solo shows and his work is held in many public and private collections. We met in his studio in Sydney (he also has a studio in the Blue Mountains) and there was a series of recent breathtaking works lining the walls. In this podcast episode you can hear Robert talk with me about his early career in animation, how he learnt to paint, how and why he paints alla prima and much more. To hear the podcast episode click on 'play' beneath the above feature photo. Upcoming shows Upcoming exhibition at BDDW gallery, New York Links to things we talk about in the show Robert MalherbeRobert Malherbe on Instagram Robert Malherbe at Jan Murphy Gallery Robert Malherbe at Michael Reid GalleryRobert Malherbe at James Makin GalleryRobert Malherbe at BDDW GalleryYouTube Video 'En Plein Air'Nick StathopoulosPhiljames 'Govetts Leap', 2021, oil on board45.8 x 61 cmFinalist Wynne Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, 2021 'Figure 34', 2021, oil on polyester canvas46.0 x 51.0 cm 'Self-portrait', oil on linen, 91 x 91 cmFinalist Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, 2017 'Michael Reid' oil on linen, 103.5 x 83.5 cmFinalist Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, 2018 Robert Malherbe, Philjames 'Last waltz at the Doomsday Ball' oil on linen91 x 71 cmFinalist Sulman Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, 2017 'Nude 25', 2019, oil on canvas51.0 x 41.0 cm 'White Flowers in Glass', 2021oil on polyester56 x 46 cm 'Flowers 2', 2019oil on linen76.0 x 60.0 cm
A video version of this episode can be viewed here Justin Paton is the co-curator of the most exciting exhibition to arrive on Sydney's doorstep since our world was upturned by the pandemic. ‘Matisse: Life and Spirit, Masterpieces from the Centre Pompidou, Paris', now showing at the Art Gallery of NSW, is an uplifting collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures which not only brings with it excitement, joy and optimism, but also is immediate in its nature. “As these works have come out of their crates I've really had the feeling that the paintings are almost making themselves before your eyes … he's not giving you a sealed off, finished, product”, Justin tells me in this podcast episode. “He's showing you his thinking. He wants you to feel as though you're looking over his shoulder as he revises, adjusts, amends a line, sands something back'. And this proximity to Matisse is not only felt in the works themselves, but in the way they are presented to us. His sculptures and paintings seem to talk to each other and the breathtaking space which evokes the artist's Chapel of the Rosary in Vence takes us a step closer to what he might have felt in the moments of its creation. The space is designed by renowned Australian architect Richard Johnson. Justin Paton is the head curator of international art at the Art Gallery of NSW, talks with me about the exhibition, from the early works from the Fauvist period and Matisse's time connecting with the Australian artist John Russell to the later cut-out works and how they came about. He also talks with me about the ‘Matisse Alive' exhibition which he also curated. Justin is also an acclaimed writer and his books include ‘How to look at a painting' (which was adapted into a TV series) and more recently ‘McCahon Country' about the works of the famous New Zealand painter Colin McCahon. To hear our conversation click on ‘play' beneath the above photo. The exhibition ‘Matisse: Life and Spirit' continues until 13 March 2022. You can buy tickets here. ‘Matisse Alive' is a free exhibition and continues until 3 April 2022. Links Justin Paton on InstagramMatisse: Life and SpiritJohn RussellChapel of the Rosary, Vence https://youtu.be/gl6DyqbCxg0 Justin Paton talks with Maria Stoljar about 'Matisse: Life and Spirit' Installation view of Matisse: Life & Spirit Masterpieces from the Centre Pompidou, Paris exhibitionPhoto © AGNSW, Mim Stirling Installation view of Matisse: Life & Spirit Masterpieces from the Centre Pompidou, Paris exhibitionPhoto © AGNSW, Mim Stirling
Fiona Verity and Julie Nicholson have a lot in common; they were both born in the UK, both met their husbands while backpacking in Australia, are both emerging artists and are both very funny. But they also have distinctly different personalities and it's this contrast that makes their arts podcast 'Art Wank' so interesting and entertaining. They interviewed me earlier this year and when I heard they were exhibiting at The Other Art Fair in Sydney I thought it was the perfect opportunity to interview them back. So here it is! A fun chat about their lives, their podcast and their art. See below for details of The Other Art Fair, examples of their beautiful work and for links to the podcast and other things we chatted about in the show. Photo of Fiona and Julie by Jasmine Higgins Upcoming show The Other Art Fair, Sydney, 2-5 December 2021 Links to things we talked about in the show Julie Nicholson websiteJulie Nicholson on InstagramFiona Verity on YouTubeFiona Verity on InstagramArt Wank podcast on InstagramArt Wank podcast on Apple PodcastsArt Wank podcast's interview with meThe Other Art FairPittwater Artists TrailWilamina Russo (mentor and podcaster)Debbie MackinnonWilloughby Arts CentreJudith White JULIE NICHOLSON'Creek', 2021, acrylic, oil stick and pastel on canvas FIONA VERITY'Beer needs nuts'80x120cm Acrylic, charcoal and collage on polycotton JULIE NICHOLSON'Through the sheltered creek' 116x80cm FIONA VERITY'Look longer, think more'114 x 114 cm Acrylic, charcoal and Collage on polycotton JULIE NICHOLSON'Time Stamp' acrylic, oil stick and oil pastel on canvas 75x95cm Fiona Verity'it's easy like Sunday Morning'80x120cmAcrylic, charcoal and Collage on polycotton
The impacts of COVID have challenged the world in a multitude of ways, but for Sydney artist Julian Meagher they appear to have sharpened his focus. Over the last 14 months, with no other deadline than his upcoming show at Yavuz Gallery, he has taken the opportunity to free himself from the usual demands of an imminent exhibition and created a body of work which has explored exciting new directions. Jules is well known for his beautiful portraits and still life works - painted in thin layers of translucent oil paint and often mistaken from afar as watercolour - but his stunning large scale landscapes over recent years are now taking centre stage and incorporate elements of abstraction to the point where in some works the representational drops off altogether. And yet there is a strong link to the mysteries of the natural world in his work. Ideas surrounding the moon and tidal forces, sleep cycles, dreams, heartbeat rhythms and light rays drive his landscape paintings adding to their symbolism and allure. I caught up with Jules last week at his Sydney studio where he works among other high level creatives. In this podcast episode we talked about how it all started (his first career might surprise you), his ideas, his techniques and the unexpected energy required to create these still works. He has exhibited in close to 30 solo shows and has been shortlisted in many major art prizes in Australia including the Archibald (four times), Wynne, Doug Moran, Glover and Shirley Hannan. To hear our conversation press play beneath the above feature photo. A short video relating to this episode will be uploaded to the Talking with Painters YouTube channel in the coming weeks. Upcoming show Solo exhibition, 'The small hours', Yavuz Gallery, Sydney, 18 November to 18 December Links to things and people we talked about in the show Julian Meagher websiteJulian Meagher at Yavuz GalleryJulian Meagher at Edwina CorletteJulian Ashton Art School Philip Wolfhagen on Talking with Painters Robert HannafordJasper Knight ' Fozzy', 2021, oil on linen, 56.5 x 46 x 3.5 cmfinalist, Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, 2021Image: Art Gallery of NSW 'Slow Wave Cycle (Barragga Lake) #8', 2021, oil on linen, 152 x 123cmImage courtesy of the artist Slow Wave Cycle (Barragga Lake), 2021, oil on linen, 245 x 198 cmImage courtesy of the artist 'The small hour #3', 2021, oil on linen, 183 x 152cmImage courtesy of the artist Julian Meagher, Slow Wave Cycle (Marrickville), 2021, oil on linen, 245 x 198 cmImage courtesy of the artist 'Daniel Johns', 2015, oil on linen, 122 x 91 cmFinalist, Archibald Prize 2015Image: Art Gallery of NSW Rapid Eye Movement #5, 2021, oil on linen, 51 x 41 cmImage courtesy of the artist
Fresh out of Sydney lockdown, the incredible works of Aida Tomescu are showing both in Sydney with Fox Jensen Gallery and in Hong Kong with Flowers Gallery in two outstanding exhibitions. To add to this, in early December 2021, Orange Regional Gallery will be exhibiting what promises to be a blockbuster Tomescu show, looking at the artist's latest large works and how they connect to a group of key paintings and etchings from the past twenty years. Tying in with these shows, I recently came across some footage I'd taken in the lead up to Aida's 2019 show with Fox Jensen Gallery, ‘The Open Wounds of White Clouds'. Watching the video again, I soon realised there were many timeless gems in that conversation which I had never published, so here is the full exchange. We filmed this conversation in Aida's studio in August 2019, in the midst of many dynamic works lining the walls and with Aida standing in front of the triptych titled ‘Sewn onto the Stones in the Sky'. That work has since been acquired by the Art Gallery of NSW (see below) and Aida talks in this episode about her approach to that work. This episode will also be released as a video on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel with a view to uploading by mid-November. Scroll down to see four previous videos of Aida currently on the channel. To hear the audio podcast conversation click 'play' beneath the above feature photo. Current and upcoming shows 'A Long Line of Sand', Fox Jensen Gallery, Sydney, current until 30 October 2021'In a Carpet Made of Water', Flowers Gallery, Hong Kong, current until 'Unfolding Presence', Orange Regional Gallery, Orange, opening 3 December, 2021 Useful Links Aida Tomescu websiteAida Tomescu at Fox Jensen GalleryAida Tomescu at Flowers GalleryEpisode 33 Talking with Painters podcast: Aida TomescuEpisode 65 Talking with Painters podcast: Aida Tomescu on Tony Tuckson Previous YouTube videos https://youtu.be/pbSNWrtdOdY https://youtu.be/9D7B1W3cH3c https://youtu.be/IbhHjZ0YZxI https://youtu.be/BJ8052xpX8c 'Sewn onto the Stones in the Sky'oil on Belgian linen200 x 460cm overallCollection: Art Gallery of NSWPurchased with funds donated by Ken Cole AM and Rowena Danziger AMPhoto: Andrew Jensen A Long Line of Sand III, 2021 oil on Belgian linen206 x 480cm (triptych)Photo: Andrew Jensen Gloria, 2021oil on Belgian linen. 200 x 460 cm (triptych)Fox Jensen Gallery, SydneyPhoto: Andrew Jensen Into a carpet made of water, 2021Oil on Belgian linen200 x 153 cmFlowers Gallery exhibition, Hong Kong, 2021Photo courtesy of the Gallery
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