FOOD & DRINK

Where to go for good seafood in Bondi

24/04/2024

Welcome to the future of seafood dining – welcome to Uncut Seafood Delicatessen. This isn’t just another fish shop; it’s a vibrant revolution brought to life by the dynamic Lucas siblings – Nic, Jack, and Kaitlin. Opening its doors on April 26th on bustling Bondi Road, this delicatessen is the culmination of a lifelong passion, a rich family legacy in fish mongering, and an ambitious dream turned reality. At Uncut Seafood Delicatessen, forget everything you thought you knew about traditional seafood joints. This is where the Lucas trio’s vision comes to life, offering a fresh, modern spin on seafood that’s as delightful to your health as it is to your taste buds. Gone are the days of heavy, fried fish dishes. Instead, prepare your palate for an elevated seafood experience that prioritises freshness, flavour, and nutritional value. Step inside, and you’ll find yourself enveloped in an atmosphere that blends the sophistication of a high-end designer boutique with the inviting warmth of a family-run establishment. Every detail, from the Taj Mahal quartzite countertops to the bespoke zellige tiled walls and refined brass accents, tells a story of meticulous design and an unwavering commitment to creating a memorable dining experience. But the real magic lies in the menu. Directly sourced from local Australian fishermen and the renowned Sydney fish markets, every dish served is a testament to the Lucas family’s rich heritage and unparalleled expertise in seafood. Whether you opt for dine-in or take-away, you’re in for a treat with their freshly cut sashimi, perfectly shucked oysters,… Read More

A place to eat in Coogee: Marra Bar & Grill

22/04/2024

By James Banham

As the leaves turn and we welcome the cooler, more reflective seasons of autumn and winter, the Coogee Bay Hotel proudly unveils its latest culinary delights at the renowned Marra Bar & Grill. This eagerly anticipated menu refresh aligns perfectly with the launch of the “Quintessentially Coogee” campaign, a heartfelt initiative designed to reward patrons and cement the hotel’s deep-rooted allegiance to its local community. Nestled in the vibrant heart of Coogee and boasting unparalleled views of its iconic beach, Marra Bar & Grill has long stood as a beacon of exceptional dining. This season’s offerings bring to the table an enriched palette of flavors, starting with perfectly seared Scallops atop a rustic blend of crushed peas and potato scallops – a true homage to autumn’s bounty. The curated Charcuterie Board, with its fine selection of Ortiz anchovies, delicately shaved jamón, and De Palma salami, along with marinated olives and pickles, provides the perfect shareable feast for those crisp coastal evenings. Continuing with the theme of comforting classics, the menu features the heartwarming Bangers & Mash—pork & fennel sausages served over a bed of silky colcannon and finished with a mustard jus. The oven-roasted half chicken, accompanied by kipfler potatoes seasoned with thyme and parmesan, captures the essence of home-cooked warmth. For those seeking a more refined touch to the traditional pub fare, the Wagyu Burger offers a gourmet twist, and the zesty Chicken Wings, served with a cooling ranch dressing, promise to tantalize the taste buds. Seafood lovers are not forgotten, with the Casarecce… Read More

Go to Adrian Richardson’s new Italian joint, Pasta Bambino

22/04/2024

By James Banham

Affordable Gourmet Pasta and Classic Cocktails at Bouvier Bar In a heartwarming homage to his Italian roots and an answer to the current economic squeeze, celebrated chef Adrian Richardson unveils ‘Pasta Bambino’, a winter pop-up nestled within the cozy confines of Bouvier Bar, on Melbourne’s iconic Lygon Street. Offering an escape into the warmth of Italian cuisine, this pop-up is poised to serve up an array of classic Italian pasta dishes, alongside handcrafted cocktails and wine, all priced to please. Since its opening in 2017, Bouvier Bar has become a staple in Brunswick East, known for its classic cocktails and unmatched hospitality. Adrian Richardson, the culinary force behind La Luna Bistro and now Pasta Bambino, aims to stir the pot in the current dining scene with affordable, yet gourmet, pasta offerings reflective of his Italian heritage. Drawing from childhood memories of making pasta from scratch with his Italian grandparents, Adrian’s approach with Pasta Bambino is simple yet profound. “Some of my fondest food memories are helping my Italian grandparents in the kitchen,” Richardson recounts, tying his culinary endeavors back to his foundational experiences with food. The pop-up restaurant’s menu sings a ballad of traditional Italian comfort food, with the promise of changing offerings to keep the palette intrigued. Patrons can look forward to starting their meals with tasty smaller plates like crumbed and fried mozzarella and an antipasto board brimming with Mediterranean delights. Main dishes feature a variety of handmade and locally sourced gourmet pasta such as casarecce bolognese and fresh ricotta gnocchi, not to… Read More

ST. ALi coffee in Melbourne has a new shop

20/04/2024

By James Banham

ST. ALi, the revered Melbourne coffee institution, is thrilled to announce the opening of its latest venture on Bali’s shores. This April, coffee aficionados and culinary enthusiasts will be welcomed at the brand new ST. ALi cafe located on the ground floor of the avant-garde FURTHER HOTEL in the lively and promising district of Pererenan. This expansion marks a significant milestone, promising to infuse Bali’s blossoming coffee scene with ST. ALi’s celebrated blend of premium coffee and gastronomic flair. “Expanding into Bali presents an exhilarating opportunity for us to introduce the ST. ALi philosophy to a wider audience. Pererenan’s evolving culinary landscape and its rich, immersive culture provide the ideal setting for our brand to flourish,” proclaimed Lachlan Ward, CEO of ST. ALi. FURTHER HOTEL has quickly made its mark since its establishment in 2023, earning accolades for its innovative hotel concept that seamlessly integrates with the community ethos of Bali’s southwest coastline. This collaboration between ST. ALi and FURTHER HOTEL is set to enrich the guest experience significantly, marrying the hotel’s novel approach with ST. ALi’s expertise in coffee and cuisine. “Partnering with ST. ALi to bring the essence of Melbourne’s coffee culture to Pererenan is a fulfillment of a long-held aspiration,” expressed Simon Digby, Co-Founder of FURTHER HOTEL. “Facing some of Bali’s most sought-after surf spots, we anticipate ST. ALi will become a morning hub for surfers eager for their coffee fix.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by ST ALi INDONESIA (@stali.id) In line with this partnership, ST. ALi Bali,… Read More

Discover the home of Australian whisky at Starward’s new distillery and bar precinct

16/04/2024

By Danielle Kirk

After winning 24 Double Gold medals in 2 years, Starward goes even bigger with its recent unveiling of a brand-new distillery tour and bar experience.

Tag: The F London

London’s Southbank: Circa Contemporary Circus will premiere Humans 2.0

by James Banham

Posted: 17/02/2023

Based in Australia, international circus company Circa Contemporary Circus will bring the London premiere of Humans 2.0 to the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall from 12 – 16 April 2023. A circus in every sense of the world, they’ll take over London’s Southbank, right in the heart of town, to showcase their feats of balance, muscular control and teamwork. Humans 2.0 is a deeply primal show that showcases the beauty and mechanics of acrobatics. With a minimalist set, the show is aesthetically led by the physicality of the human body. A troupe of ten acrobats push their physical limits to the extreme with feats including hand-to-hand acrobatics, human towers and banquine, using the sheer human body as swings, climbing frames and supports. Themes that shine through are teamwork and trust, and the show asks; Can we ever find a perfect balance, or is adapting to constant change the only way forward? Created by circus visionary Yaron Lifschitz, the production blends theatre with circus and dance. The score is created by one of the founding fathers of the techno scene in Israel, composer Ori Lichtik. For more info and to get a ticket, head to the Southbank Centre website

Category: LIFESTYLE, CITIES, LONDON

Tags: Best circus London, Humans circus, London circus, London Southbank circus, The F London, Whats on Southbank

See the Lucien Freud exhibition at the National Gallery London – and pay what you wish

by James Banham

Updated: 03/10/2022

Until 22 January 2023, Lucien Freud is awaiting your visit at the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square, bringing one of the most iconic artists’ work to your doorstep. And the best bit is, as a response to the cost-of-living crisis the National Gallery is to introduce its first Pay What You Wish scheme for an exhibition. On Friday evenings throughout the run of The Credit Suisse Exhibition – Lucian Freud: New Perspectives visitors will be able to pay as much or as little as they like in an excellent method of keeping art as accessible as ever. How can you see the Lucien Freud exhibition? For slots between 5.30pm and 9pm on Fridays, tickets for the exhibition, which opens on 1 October 2022, can be booked from today in advance online (nationalgallery.org.uk), on the phone or in person for a minimum payment of £1. Visitors will also have the opportunity to attend Gallery Friday Late talks and events and enjoy later opening hours at the Gallery’s shops, bars and restaurants. This landmark retrospective is being staged by the National Gallery to mark the centenary of the birth of the major 20th-century artist (1922-2011.) Dr Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the National Gallery, London, says: “The cost of an exhibition ticket can sometimes make it difficult to visit. While most of our temporary exhibitions are free, the Pay What You Wish scheme will enable practically anyone who wants to see the Freud centenary show to do so.” For more info and to get planning, head to the National Gallery website Feature… Read More

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: London art blog, Lucien Freud, national gallery, National Gallery London, See Lucien Freud, The F London, THE F National Gallery

Bring music back to your life after lockdown: The Philharmonia Orchestra is back

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

If you’ve been down – and who hasn’t – then, prepared to be brought well-and-truly all the way back up, thanks to a new initiative in London. The Philharmonia Orchestra from London’s Southbank Centre is, this season, bringing out programme for October and November 2020: six online performances in two strands, encompassing live-streamed concerts, pre-recorded performances and radio broadcasts, as the Orchestra continues to build out its new digital performance schedule. Called Philharmonia Sessions, they’re putting on a series of critically acclaimed free, pre-recorded digital performances, conceived and created especially for an online audience! It’ll continue with two new releases, following three films this summer that have reached six-figure audiences in the UK and around the world, and drawn critical acclaim. The next Philharmonia Sessions feature Principal Conductor & Artistic Advisor Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting Beethoven’s ballet score, The Creatures of Prometheus (24 November), in a dramatic format filmed at Battersea Arts Centre with Stephen Fry narrating a new script by Gerard McBurney. The project is adapted from the programme that Salonen would have opened with for the Philharmonia’s 2020/21 London Season. Jakub Hr?ša and cellist Alisa Weilerstein follow on 5 November, in an all-Dvo?ák programme featuring his Rondo and Silent Woods for cello and orchestra. Both Philharmonia Sessions will be premiered, free-to-view, on the Philharmonia’s YouTube channel. There’s more, too. Scroll on for the full listing or find more at the Philharmonia Orchestra website. LIVE STREAM: SANTTU-MATIAS ROUVALI – AMERICAN DREAMSMonday 26 October 2020, 7.30pm Santtu-Matias Rouvali – conductor COPLAND Appalachian SpringSTEVE REICH Music for Pieces of WoodPRICE Dances in the CanebrakesSTRAVINSKY Dumbarton Oaks Live streamed from Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, and then available on-demand. Streamed… Read More

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON, MUSIC

Tags: Bring music back to your life after lockdown: The Philharmonia Orchestra is back, Free music streaming, Free orchestra, London Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestra guide London, Philharmonia Orchestra THE F, The F London, Worlds best music guide

National Gallery London: Artemisia Gentileschi is back with more

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

The National Gallery London first announced the display of some work by the famed Italian female artist, Artemisia back in 2019 and now, she’s back again. At a time when female artists were not easily accepted, Artemisia Gentileschi was exceptional. Her career spanned more than 40 years and she gained fame and admiration across Europe, counting leading rulers among her patrons. She was the first woman to gain membership to the artists’ academy in Florence. Although Artemisia was greatly admired during her lifetime, she was essentially rediscovered in the 20th century. Certain elements of her biography – particularly her rape as a young woman and the torture she endured during the trial that followed – have sometimes overshadowed discussions about her artistic achievements, but today she is recognised as one of the most gifted painters of the Italian Baroque period. Her art and life continue to inspire novels, films, documentaries, musical and theatrical productions. The earliest work in the exhibition will be her first signed and dated work, Susannah and the Elders (1610, Kunstsammlungen Graf von Schönborn, Pommersfelden) painted when she was just 17. Artemisia returned to this subject throughout her career, approaching its story afresh with each retelling, and her last-known painting, of the same subject, dating from 42 years later, will also be included in the exhibition (Susannah and the Elders, 1652, Polo Museale dell’Emilia Romagna, Collezioni della Pinacoteca Nazionale, Bologna). Arranged chronologically and complete with supporting texts, documents and other gathered works, the exhibition is not one to miss. Book in advance at the… Read More

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Art guide London, Art London, National Gallery exhibitions, National Gallery tickets, THE F Artemisia Gentileschi exhibition, The F London, THE F National Gallery London

Subtle way to give your home decor something special

by THE F

Posted: 01/08/2019

There are all kinds of things you can do to make your home decor look special – here, we’re going to focus on a few subtle changes you can make to give it that little extra ‘oomph’. The additions below aren’t all going to be immediately noticeable, but they will definitely change the vibe of the house overall. Take a look! Focus On Architectural Details Architectural details can make a huge difference to the look of your home. Details such as crown molding, wooden beams, hardwood floors, built-in bookshelves, and mosaic-tile backsplashes are all worth focusing on if you want to add a little something special. Do it one at a time and see how your home starts shaping up. You can go to acfloorsanding.com.au to get an idea of the sort of high quality flooring you should go for. It’s a good idea to splash out on the good stuff so that it lasts. Cheaper options won’t be as resistant to wear and use, so bear this in mind. 2. Add A Fireplace A fireplace will not be cheap or easy to add – this is why an electric fireplace might be better. Electric pieces take less effort to maintain, too. However, one of these can instantly make a room feel more cosy, whether you’re using it or not. It can also make a great statement piece. 3. Add A Simple Pop Of Colour A pop of colour is a really easy, quick, and simple way to give your home decor that little something… Read More

Category: INTERIORS, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Interiors blog, London blog, London interiors blog, Subtle way to give your home decor something special, THE F interiors, The F London

Julie Andrews in London: The actress talks about her new memoir

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

She burst into our hearts with Mary Poppins in ’64, solidified our love for her with The Sound of Music in ’65 and proved she can do funny with The Princess Diaries alongside Anne Hathaway in 2001, but if there’s one thing we can all be certain of, it’s that Dame Julie Andrews is the diamond in the crown of entertainment royalty. And now in 2019, in a UK-exclusive event, the Southbank Centre will present ‘A Conversation with Dame Julie Andrews’, a one-time special event that will see the beloved star discuss her highly anticipated memoir, Home Work: A Memoir of My Hollywood Years. She’s known for her trademark honesty and lively wit and will no doubt use it to her full advantage in a personal reflection on her extraordinary career. Andrews will talk in details about the experiences of stage and film roles that have garnered her multiple awards and a very special place in the world’s heart. Andrews will take the audience on a very special, very intimate journey spanning more than half a century as she talks about her movie and stage experiences, the music and songs that shot her to fame and hopefully, the surgery that stifled her angelic chords all the way back in ’97. There’ll even be a pre-arranged Q&A for the Dame after the interview. An allocation of tickets goes on sale to Southbank Centre Members at 10am on Tuesday 30 July and a further allocation goes on sale to the General Public at 10am on Wednesday 31… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Julie Andrews, Julie Andrews in conversation, Julie Andrews memoir, Julie Andrews Sound of Music, Julie Andrews Southbank Centre, THE F Julie Andrews, The F London, THE F Sound of Music, THE F Southbank Centre

Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour celebrates International Scottish Gin Day

by James Banham

Posted: 29/07/2019

The UK is known for a lot of things, while Scotland specifically has found itself at the top of the pile when it comes to Scottish whiskey and gin. Mr Phileas Fogg knows this and so has turned his Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour into the Mecca of celebration this day of international Scottish gin, inviting guests and gin fans to the establishment to draw as much jolly from the batches as he does. Complete with a special menu to honour the day, Mr Fogg’s will pay an homage to more than 200+ of the most unique, interesting and rare gins from around the world in cocktail form. Think of concoctions like, the Scottish Spice, with Caorunn gin, apple juice, cinnamon syrup, lemon, Bols Genever and egg white and Hendricks in the Highlands, with Hendricks Orbium gin, cashew milk, rose syrup and Schweppes muscovado dark spirit mixer. And they’re just a few. Find Mr Fogg’s Gin Bar at 1 New Row, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4EA. Or head to the website to make a booking.

Category: CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Gin bars, Gin Parlour London, London gin bars, Mr Foggs Gin Parlour, The F London, THE F Mr Foggs

Buckingham Palace opens for summer: See how Queen Victoria made it what it is

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Buckingham Palace wasn’t always what it is today. And a lot of what made it so comes right down to the woman responsible; Queen Victoria. She was the first to use the Palace as a residence, the first to redo the inside, the first to throw three balls within its walls and made it so much more than a symbol of English monarchy. And now this summer from 20 July, the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace are opening to give you an inside look into the royal era that was filled with music, dancing and entertaining that characterised the Queen’s reign. It’s all a part of marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria (1819–1901) and the exhibition Queen Victoria’s Palace tells the story of how the young monarch brought the Palace to life, transforming an empty royal residence into the most glittering court in Europe. She was only 18 when she became Queen and started turning things around, the tale of which the exhibition tells in great, visually sumptuous detail. You’ll tour the Buckingham Palace State Rooms, formed by Queen Victoria to host foreign dignitaries, throw parties and follow the pomp and ceremony of English Monarchy, developing trends and traditions that are still followed today. Ever wondered why the Royal family steps out on the balcony for public appearances? You’ll find out. Ever wondered whose idea it was to build the big east-facing balcony in the first place? Well, you’ll learn that, too. Ever wondered how many rooms-on-rooms-on-rooms there are in the inner western wing of Buckingham Palace… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Buckingham Palace, Buckingham Palace Queen Victoria, Queen Victorias Palace, THE F blog James Banham, The F London

Free gay exhibition for London Pride: Kiss My Genders

by James Banham

Posted: 05/07/2019

Southbank Centre’s Hayward Gallery is offering free admission to all visitors for its latest exhibition, Kiss My Genders from 11am – 7pm on Saturday 6 July. The new exhibition Kiss My Genders is all about celebrating more than 30 international artists whose work explores and engages with gender identity. Spanning the past 50 years, Kiss My Genders brings together over 100 artworks by different generations of artists from around the world. Employing a wide range of approaches, these artists share an interest in articulating and engaging with gender fluidity, as well as with non-binary, trans and intersex identities. If acceptance, joy and tolerance are your thing, then this exhibition is for you. Give it a shot at the Southbank Centre and see more at the website.

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Gay London, Gay London blog, Kiss My Genders, london, London blogger, THE F Kiss My Genders, The F London

Morty & Bob’s London team up with Patty & Bun do toasties right

by James Banham

Posted: 04/07/2019

For a while now, Morty & Bob’s have been doing their Melt Collaborations, partnerships of awesomeness that mean they pump out some seriously delicious food alongside other people who do the same. The latest in the line up? Patty & Bun who’ve joined forces to create a special, drool-worthy burger-inspired toastie for the month of July. It’s called the Jose Jose Grilled Cheese and will use flavours from Patty & Bun’s Jose Jose Burger, available at Morty & Bob’s in Coal Drops Yard from 1 July. The new piece will combine sobrassada – a raw, cured sausage from the Balearic Islands – along with paprika, capsicum and pickled onions with the end result being similar, and as tasty as Patty & Bun’s Jose Jose Chilli Burger with the addition of Morty & Bob’s secret recipe of oozing melted cheese. It’s the kind of thing you need in your mouth, in your life and on your mind; so go, while it lasts. Find Morty & Bob’s here.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: London food, London food blog, Morty Bobs, Morty Bobs toasties, The F London

ARTS & CULTURE

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Experience break dancing like never before this MAy

24/04/2024

By James Banham

Get ready to experience the ultimate celebration of hip hop culture, innovation, and artistry at Breakin’ Convention 2024. An international festival of Hip Hop dance theatre, it’ll be taking over Sadler’s Wells in Islington this coming May Bank Holiday. Enthusiastically helmed by the visionary UK hip hop maker and Breakin’ Convention Artistic Director Jonzi D, this festival has become a beacon for fans and creators of hip hop from around the globe. The excitement is palpable as we gear up for two days packed with jaw-dropping performances, interactive workshops, and live music that promise to electrify the Sadler’s Wells venues on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May. With an extraordinary lineup featuring international sensations like Femme Fatale (USA), Sons of Wind (France), and Jinjo crew (South Korea), alongside groundbreaking UK acts such as TRAPLORD, Boy Blue, and When Time Was New, this festival is set to showcase the dynamic and diverse world of hip hop dance theatre. Attendees of all ages can look forward to a vast array of activities including spectacular dance performances, bespoke graffiti workshops, freestyle sessions, and even live DJs sessions that guarantee to keep the energy high and the spirit of hip hop alive throughout the entire building. Not to mention, the festival coincides with the historic moment of breaking becoming an official Olympic sport at the Paris Olympics, adding an extra layer of exhilaration to the festivities. Beyond the performances, Breakin’ Convention 2024 invites audiences to engage directly with the hip hop community through unique events such as the Tiny… Read More

Opera Australia orchestrates a new era with Matthieu Arama as Concertmaster

24/04/2024

By James Banham

In a move that marks a significant milestone in its illustrious history, Opera Australia has announced the appointment of the renowned French violinist Matthieu Arama as the new Concertmaster of the Opera Australia Orchestra (OAO). This announcement follows an exhaustive global search, culminating in Mr. Arama’s selection, a testament to his extraordinary talent and leadership abilities. Set to join the OAO in August of this year, Arama brings with him a wealth of experience as the current Concertmaster of the Opéra National de Bordeaux, coupled with an impressive track record of performances with some of the world’s most distinguished conductors. View this post on Instagram A post shared by matthieu arama (@matthieu_arama) Arama’s role will be pivotal in steering the OAO towards achieving artistic brilliance across its broad annual repertoire, which spans over 250 opera, ballet, musical theatre, and concert performances for Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet. His recent engagements as Guest Concertmaster for Opera Australia on iconic productions such as La Traviata and Swan Lake, alongside The Australian Ballet, and a solo recital featuring opera and ballet excerpts, underscore his extraordinary versatility and musicianship. The enthusiasm within the OAO is palpable, with Acting Concertmaster Huy-Nguen Bui expressing excitement over welcoming Arama to the helm. “The OAO is excited to welcome an exceptional violinist and musician as our new Concertmaster. We look forward to reaching the highest levels of music-making through Mr. Arama’s artistic leadership,” said Bui. This sentiment is echoed by Opera Australia’s CEO Fiona Allan, Artistic Director Jo Davies, The Australian Ballet’s… Read More

Lauren Brincat When Do I Breathe 2024. Performer Jasmin Lancaster. Photographer Zan Wimberley. Courtesy of the artist

Public performance in Randwick Sydney by artist Lauren Brincat

22/04/2024

By James Banham

This week, the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct will experience an exceptional infusion of art and community spirit through a public performance by the celebrated multidisciplinary artist Lauren Brincat. Scheduled for one-night only, on Wednesday, 24 April 2024, Brincat’s performance marks the launch of the new Laneway Art Program. This initiative, commissioned by the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct and supported by Transport for NSW’s Safer Cities program, seeks to enhance perceptions of safety for women, girls, and gender diverse people navigating the streets and laneways of the Precinct. Brincat, along with Rochelle Haley, another leading Australian artist, has been entrusted with the mission to improve night-time connectivity and comfort within the precinct through performance-based and site-specific artwork. Both artists have engaged directly with health workers in the area to shape their projects, aiming to make the public spaces more welcoming and to strengthen the sense of community, safety, and inclusiveness across the site. The artwork, titled When do I breathe?, is an ambitious collaboration with sound artist Evelyn Ida Morris, UNSW Choral Director Sonia Maddock, and choreographer Charmene Yap. It invites the public to actively participate in shaping new paths across the precinct, offering a unique experience that encompasses three activation sites within the UNSW Kensington and the hospital precinct. The performance, beginning at 5:00 pm on the UNSW Scientia Lawn, is a reflection on the interconnectedness of local communities, especially those separated by differing work shifts and daily rhythms. Aiming to reclaim public space through collective action, When do I breathe? presents an… Read More

Good news for National Gallery London: Eva Gonzalès piece acquired

22/04/2024

By James Banham

On the occasion of the artist’s 177th birthday on Friday 19th April, the National Gallery has acquired La Psyché (The Full-length Mirror), about 1869-70, by Eva Gonzalès (1849-1883) thanks to three generous legacy gifts from Mrs Martha Doris Bailey, Miss Gillian Cleaver, and Ms Sheila Mary Holmes, and the National Gallery Trust. This is the first acquisition by the Gallery of a work by Gonzalès and the second acquisition of its Bicentenary year. La Psyché has not been seen in public for over seventy years and joins only one other painting by her in a UK public collection, The Donkey Ride, about 1880?2, at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. Gonzalès is the 20th female artist represented in the National Gallery Collection, marking a significant addition. The story of Gonzalès’s reputation, during and after her life, reflects some of the reasons why women artists are not well represented in the National Gallery. These include being offered fewer opportunities in life and the lack of interest shown, consciously or not, in works by women artists by collectors of the era and onwards, from whose acquisitions the National Gallery’s own collection was assembled. During her lifetime Gonzalès was an established artist who exhibited multiple times to acclaim at the official Paris Salon. She was the only official pupil of Edouard Manet (1832-83), with whom she studied from 1869. Gonzalès likely painted La Psyché around the same time that Manet was painting his portrait of her, Eva Gonzalès (1870). That work, in the Gallery collection, was the focal point of the recent exhibition, Discover Manet & Eva… Read More

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Shooshfest: Australia’s first ever silent short film competition

17/04/2024

By James Banham

Australia’s Shooshfest, an inaugural silent short film competition, invites diverse creators to innovate in storytelling sans speech. Promising an immersive experience, it will connect with audiences, honour silent film and catalyse cinematic culture.