FOOD & DRINK, ARTS & CULTURE, LIFE & TRAVEL
Building on its phenomenal debut last year, this ten-day extravaganza will draw upon the talents of over 250 local and international creatives, transforming some of the city’s most iconic venues into hubs of immersive digital art, cutting-edge performances, and thought-provoking talks.
Welcome to ZAHALKAWORLD, where art history gets a cheeky makeover. The National Art School (NAS) has just rolled out the red carpet for an art extravaganza like no other. Anne Zahalka, a name that echoes through the hallowed halls of photo-media art, has unveiled her latest and greatest: ZAHALKAWORLD – an artist’s archive. This exhibition is a glorious ride through over 40 years of Zahalka’s photographic prowess, showcasing more than 100 works from a whopping 15 series. If you’re in Sydney before October 19, head over to the NAS Gallery to catch a glimpse. Zahalka, whose work is tucked away in prestigious collections like the National Gallery of Australia and even further afield, is renowned for her ability to poke fun at the familiar while proposing fresh perspectives. Her lens captures cultural diversity and environmental quandaries, blending humor with critique to challenge dominant narratives. And she’s not just rehashing the old; she’s spicing things up with six artworks from NAS’s own collection and five brand new pieces, fresh out of the creative oven in 2023-2024. But wait, there’s more: The exhibition highlight, Kunstkammer, invites you to step into Zahalka’s world—literally. This life-sized recreation of her studio is a treasure trove of inspiration, offering a behind-the-scenes peek at the creative chaos that births her masterpieces. As if that’s not enough, you can book a one-on-one artist talk with Zahalka herself, live from her home-studio. How’s that for a bit of art-world intimacy? ZAHALKAWORLD isn’t stopping in Sydney, folks. It’s set to embark on a national tour,… Read More
The National Gallery has brought a new piece of art and if classical history is your thing then this will get you excited. Well, folks, the National Gallery’s 200th-anniversary bash just got a whole lot fancier. They’ve gone and added “After the Audience” by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836–1912) to their collection. That’s right, this is the third piece they’ve snagged this year to mark the big 2-0-0. Not just any piece, mind you—this is a colossal work of art that screams ambition, scale, and historical oomph, fresh for your eyes in Room 45 starting today, Thursday, 15 August 2024. So, who is this Alma-Tadema bloke? Born in the Netherlands but a British darling by choice, he was the darling of the Victorian era, mesmerizing everyone with his pitch-perfect portrayals of Classical antiquity. While his work took a bit of a nap in the public eye posthumously, it’s been back in vogue since the groovy ’60s. “After the Audience” takes us way back to Ancient Rome and showcases Agrippa, the son-in-law of Emperor Augustus, striding up the stairs of his villa after a long day of listening to petitioners from all corners of the Empire. The gifts from these petitioners are sprawled out in the foreground, making for quite the visual feast. The National Gallery didn’t just stumble upon this masterpiece; it was a well-orchestrated acquisition from a private collection, thanks to the wheeling and dealing by Christie’s Private Sales. The purchase was made possible due to the generosity of Mrs. Martha Doris Bailey, Mr. Richard… Read More
On 25 January 1504, the most prominent artists of Florence convened to deliberate on a fitting location for Michelangelo’s nearly finished masterpiece, David. Among this illustrious assembly was Leonardo da Vinci, who, like Michelangelo, had recently returned to his native city. The upcoming exhibition, “Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael: Florence, c. 1504,” aims to delve into the rivalry between these two titans of the Renaissance and examine the significant influence they exerted on the young Raphael. This exhibition will showcase over 40 remarkable works, including Michelangelo’s Taddei Tondo, Leonardo’s Burlington House Cartoon, and Raphael’s Bridgewater Madonna, as well as some of the most exquisite drawings from the Italian Renaissance. Opening with Michelangelo’s only marble sculpture in the UK, the celebrated Taddei Tondo, c. 1504-05 (Royal Academy of Arts, London), attendees will witness the related preparatory drawings that illuminate the creation of this iconic relief. Created amid the vibrant atmosphere of Republican Florence, when Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Raphael intersected in their artistic pursuits, the Taddei Tondo profoundly influenced Raphael’s work, evident in pieces like the Bridgewater Madonna, c. 1507-08 (Bridgewater Collection Loan, National Galleries of Scotland), and the Esterházy Madonna, c. 1508 (Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest), both of which will be displayed prominently. The central gallery of the exhibition will be dedicated to Leonardo’s Burlington House Cartoon, c. 1506-08 (The National Gallery, London), marking its return to the Royal Academy for the first time in over six decades. The display, along with the accompanying catalogue, will unveil new research into the original context of this significant work…. Read More
The National Gallery is marking a significant milestone, with over 1 million visitors in the UK attending its touring exhibitions over the past decade. This achievement coincides with the 10th anniversary of its flagship series, The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour, as the Gallery invites new partners for its upcoming 2025-27 project. Since the launch of the Masterpiece Tour, which fosters collaborations between the National Gallery and various museums, galleries, and art centres outside of London, 1,004,763 individuals have engaged with a variety of exhibitions showcasing masterpieces from the Gallery’s esteemed collection. In line with its mission to share art across the UK, the latest edition of the Masterpiece Tour will grant four UK institutions the opportunity to display three major works from the National Gallery over three years. Open for partnerships from 29 July until 27 September 2024, these collaborations aim to reach diverse audiences with the first exhibition slated for autumn 2025. Building on a year of NG200 celebrations, which saw twelve masterpieces exhibited in locations accessible to a significant portion of the UK population, the initiative continues to reinforce the National Gallery’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in art. Highlighting the first exhibit of the new Masterpiece Tour will be Monet’s “The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil” (1872), a piece rarely loaned out in recent years. Known for his deft handling of light and composition, Monet captures a serene moment along the river, allowing the partners to create displays that resonate with their local communities. Additionally, each partner will connect with… Read More
There’s a Sri-Lankan Australian artist, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, who’s putting on an art show entitled The Self Portrait and the Masks. And you need to see it in Sydney.
Every Friday night, a rotating program of performance residencies will surprise and delight with unique musical experiences in the Great Hall. Inspired by the Pharaoh exhibition, each week audiences will be taken on a different musical journey, with a selection of music and performances, from jazz to cabaret, to classical, funk and blues.
The National Gallery in London is proud to present the first monographic exhibition in the UK dedicated to José María Velasco (1840–1912), Mexico’s esteemed 19th-century painter. Titled José María Velasco: A View of Mexico, this groundbreaking exhibition will be held from 29 March to 17 August 2025 at the prestigious Sunley Room. Please note that there will be an admission charge for this extraordinary showcase of artistic brilliance. Celebrating Mexico’s Artistic Legacy This landmark event marks the debut of a Latin American artist’s exhibition at the National Gallery and aligns with the 200th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the UK and Mexico. José María Velasco’s renowned body of work primarily focuses on the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Valle de México, encapsulating the essence of Mexico’s evolution amidst significant societal transformations. Rediscovering Velasco’s Legacy Despite his acclaim within Mexico, José María Velasco’s international recognition has waned over time. This exhibition aims to reintroduce Velasco to a global audience, shedding light on his multidimensional genius beyond painting. Not only was Velasco a masterful artist but also a botanist, naturalist, and geologist, blending artistry with scientific inquiry to create captivating and insightful compositions. Exploring Cultural Narratives Velasco’s paintings transcend mere aesthetics, delving into the intersection of cultures, ecological conservation, and industrial progress. By juxtaposing Velasco’s works with pieces from the National Gallery’s collection, such as Édouard Manet’s The Execution of Maximilian, visitors are prompted to contemplate themes of colonialism, industrialization, and humanity’s impact on nature—a discourse as relevant today as it was in the 19th century. A Scholarly… Read More
The Royal Academy of Arts’ Summer Exhibition is a unique celebration of contemporary art and architecture, providing a vital platform and support for the artistic community. Each year, the Royal Academy presents a number of prizes for outstanding works within the exhibition. This year proves to be no exception, with a remarkable slate of winners reflecting exceptional talent and creativity. The Charles Wollaston Award The prestigious £35,000 Charles Wollaston Award, one of the most significant art prizes in the country and now in its 26th year, is presented to the ‘most distinguished work’ in the exhibition. The 2024 award was judged by Stephen Farthing RA, Anna Moszynska, and Joana Neves. This year’s prize was awarded to Tracey Emin RA for her work Did it Ever Get Any Better (Cat. 399, Gallery III). The AXA Art Prize UK 2024 Awarded £10,000 for an outstanding work of figurative art, this prize honours exemplary talent in the depiction of the human figure. Judges Jennifer Schipf, Mark Hampson, and Gillian Wearing RA selected Wendy Freestone’s piece, IN THE QUIETEST MOMENTS (Cat. 2, Gallery I), as the winner. The Jack Goldhill Award for Sculpture Sculpture enthusiasts celebrate the £10,000 Jack Goldhill Award for Sculpture. This year, the judges Judy Goldhill, Tom Brent, Es Devlin, Georgia Kerr, Hew Locke RA, and Ina Sarikhani awarded the prize to Brigit Connolly for her work GIVE AND TAKE (Cat. 1581, Lecture Room). The British Institution Fund Award for Students Designed to promote excellence within student communities, The British Institution Fund Award offers £5,000 for… Read More
The National Gallery is delighted to announce that it has reached its Bicentenary fundraising campaign target, thanks to a generous grant of £5m from the newly established Julia Rausing Trust. Launched in 2022 with a goal of £95m, the campaign is the largest in the Gallery’s history. The grant from the Julia Rausing Trust has enabled the campaign target to be reached two months after the Gallery celebrated its 200th birthday and the start of a year celebrating creativity, great art, and the history of the National Gallery. The Trust, founded by Julia’s husband Hans Rausing following her death in April 2024, will grant funds to organisations and causes which were important and meaningful to Julia Rausing, reflecting her significant philanthropy over a number of years. Many of the Gallery’s Bicentenary programmes are currently underway, with Art Road Trip’s travelling art studio bringing an experience of the Gallery to communities with particularly high barriers to arts and culture; and National Treasures, where 12 of the Gallery’s most famous paintings are spending the summer on loan to museums and galleries in cities around the UK. Work is also in progress on a suite of capital projects at the Gallery’s home in Trafalgar Square, improving the welcome visitors are given at the Sainsbury Wing and the facilities for learning and research at all ages and stages. The grant from the Julia Rausing Trust will be put towards aspects of the capital project, in particular a new underground link between the Wilkins and Sainsbury buildings, in the space… Read More
