FOOD & DRINK, ARTS & CULTURE, LIFE & TRAVEL
Namatjira celebrates his community in Indulkana, collaborating with composer Jeremy Whiskey and inviting artist duo Alec Baker and Eric Barney to present new paintings alongside his latest body of work King Dingo.
Bundanon has proudly launched WILDER TIMES: Arthur Boyd and the Mid-1980s Landscape, a compelling new exhibition and live program brimming with 80s-inspired events, running from now until 13 October 2024. This initiative offers a vivid glimpse into a period of rich cultural dynamism in Australia, marked by critical conversations around landscape, land ownership, and environmental protection. Exhibition Highlights The exhibition showcases works from over 25 distinguished Australian artists from the mid-1980s. Central to the exhibition are Arthur Boyd’s fourteen powerful landscape paintings, commissioned in 1984 by Arts Centre Melbourne. These monumental pieces have returned to Bundanon for the first time since their creation, now displayed alongside more than 60 significant works by other influential Australian artists of that era, including David Aspden, Vivienne Binns, and Rover Joolama Thomas, to name a few. Boyd’s commission was part of a broader initiative led by renowned designer John Truscott, aimed at incorporating new works within Arts Centre Melbourne’s interiors. These commissions were integral to Truscott’s vision of the theatres as a ‘secular cathedral to the arts’, resonating strongly with Arthur and Yvonne Boyd’s vision for Bundanon and reflecting the period’s vibrant cultural milieu. The Boyd Connection Arthur Boyd’s suite of paintings captures the essence of the Shoalhaven landscape from dawn to midnight, epitomising his deep respect for the natural world. These works record Boyd’s observations through rough paintings and sketches created in situ, before being realised on canvas in his Bundanon studio. The series now graces Bundanon’s Art Museum, underscoring Boyd’s commitment to environmental preservation and his profound… Read More
The Museum of Australian Photography is proud to announce the release of a captivating catalogue showcasing the remarkable works of Anne Zahalka, one of Australia’s most esteemed photographers. This catalogue serves as a testament to Zahalka’s artistic prowess and her significant contributions to the realm of photography. Steven Alderton, the CEO of the National Art School, commended Zahalka’s profound connection to the institution, stating, “Anne Zahalka has a long connection to the National Art School. After studying at NAS in 1978, she was a photo-media teacher during the 1980s. Since then, she has gone on to become one of the most prominent artists working in photography today, and we are thrilled to be presenting her major survey exhibition to our visitors and students.” Anne Zahalka herself expressed her excitement about the upcoming major survey of her work at the National Art School in Sydney, her hometown. She shared, “I’m excited to be presenting a major survey of my work at the National Art School in Sydney in my hometown. Curated around my key photographic series and the archive that supports it, this immersive exhibition will offer a first-hand experience of how I develop artworks, the research and material processes that are involved, and the context the works are made in.” Delving into Anne Zahalka’s artistic journey Anne Zahalka’s body of work encapsulates a diverse range of themes, from cultural identity and representation to the exploration of everyday life through a unique lens. Her photographs are known for their striking visual narratives, meticulous attention to detail,… Read More
Generation Clay: Reimagining Asian Heritage is an exhibition that celebrates the vibrant versatility of clay, curated by the award-winning contemporary artist Vipoo Srivilasa.
Following a meticulous 14-month restoration undertaken by the Gallery’s Conservation Department and supported by the Bank of America Art Conservation Project, Peter Paul Rubens’s The Judgement of Paris is now back on public display as of this June.
In a nation-defining event, Twisties Chicken has emerged victorious as Australia’s Official Twistie. Following a nation-wide vote that left officials, onlookers, and long-time Twisties Cheese enthusiasts are stunned. This unexpected result capped off a month of vigorous campaigning by both Twisties Chicken and Twisties Cheese, each vying for the ultimate supremacy. The heated battle culminated in a celebratory gathering on Thursday, 27th June, where a monumental portrait by renowned artist Matt Adnate was unveiled. The Official Portrait features Twisties Chicken against Adnate’s signature abstract backdrop, a piece crafted under significant pressure not to look “too cheesy,” as Adnate quipped. Marketing Manager Sam O’Donnell expressed relief at the conclusion of the long-standing debate: “The Chicken vs Cheese debate is one Australians know well; we’re relieved to have settled it once and for all. The most appropriate way to celebrate this iconic win was through an Official Portrait, and having one of Australia’s most famous portrait artists commemorate Twisties Chicken’s win is a suitably twisted way to end this campaign.” While the future home of the portrait is still undecided, O’Donnell hinted at a potential donation to the National Portrait Gallery, should they show interest. The campaign was brought to life by high-profile endorsements from Robert Irwin and G Flip, with Robert championing Team Chicken and G Flip rallying support for Team Cheese. Throughout the campaign, familiar faces like Tanya Hennessy for Team Chicken and Matt Preston for Team Cheese played key roles, especially during the Democracy Twistie stand event at Bondi Beach. The nation responded with… Read More
Ames Yavuz will open a second Australian gallery space at 114 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills to the public this month! Located near the first Sydney gallery on Reservoir Street, this marks a significant milestone for Ames Yavuz, amplifying its programming in Australia across two dynamic sites. Founded as Yavuz Gallery in Singapore in 2010 by Can Yavuz, the gallery expanded to Sydney in 2019, becoming the first commercial art gallery from Asia to establish a permanent space in Australia. This year, Yavuz Gallery was renamed Ames Yavuz, incorporating the surnames of Can Yavuz and Glen Ames to reflect their Asia-Pacific and European heritage, and their relationship both in life and business. Spanning an area of 300 square metres and featuring 3.5 metre-high ceilings, the new location has a rich heritage, formerly a petrol station and part of the bustling hub of the rag trade and textiles industry in Surry Hills. The raw interior of this historic warehouse provides a unique exhibition space for Ames Yavuz. The gallery’s inaugural presentation, MEMORY/MYTH features contemporary and historic films and video installations by 26 internationally renowned artists from across the world, including 20 works never-before-seen in Australia. Curated by London-based Director of Ames Yavuz, Ananya Mukhopadhyay, the program includes works by Thania Petersen (South Africa), Stanislava Pinchuk (Ukraine), Richard Bell (Kamilaroi, Kooma, Jiman and Gurang Gurang, Australia), Brook Andrew (Wiradjuri, Ngunnawal/Australia) and Joy Gregory (UK). The screening program explores experiences of indigeneity, diaspora and the intersecting global legacies of colonialism, and emphasises Ames Yavuz’s commitment to showcasing international artists… Read More
This summer, the National Gallery will showcase children’s artworks in the annual Take One Picture exhibition, with pupils across the country having taken inspiration from Rousseau’s Surprised! For nearly thirty years, the Gallery has been inviting primary school children nationwide to focus on one painting from the collection and respond creatively, following their own questions and ideas, and this year’s program has been the biggest yet: 300 schools took part – more than a 60% increase from last year. The program aims to put art at the center of children’s learning across the curriculum, inspiring creativity, curiosity, and a lifelong connection with artists’ work. By exhibiting a selection of the projects produced, the program also provides a platform for celebrating children’s work, building pride and confidence in their achievements, and fostering a sense of ownership and belonging in the Gallery. This year’s painting, Rousseau’s Surprised!, is perennially one of the Gallery’s top 20 most popular and visited paintings. Rousseau produced the work without ever leaving his native France; the foliage is a mix of domestic house plants and tropical varieties, which he had seen at the Botanical Gardens in Paris. An amateur artist who painted as a hobby and failed to get serious recognition from his contemporaries, Rousseau is now seen as a pioneer of the “naïve art” movement. Year 4 at Langland Community School, Milton Keynes, were drawn to the tiger’s worried expression and wondered if he was in danger from poachers. The children researched the endangerment of tigers and their habitat through deforestation… Read More
The Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT) is thrilled to announce the 12th annual Koorie Art Show, inviting entries from First Peoples artists (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders) residing in Victoria. Scheduled for December 2024, this prestigious event is an open-entry, non-acquisitive award exhibition, open to all First Peoples artists, designers, and craftspeople regardless of their career stage, be it emerging, mid-career, or senior. “This is a fantastic opportunity for all First Peoples to showcase their art in a central location at Fed Square in Narrm (Melbourne),” says Tom Mosby, CEO of KHT. “Significantly, we accept all artworks. All you need to do is submit an entry form by the due date for your work to be accepted. Each work will be professionally photographed and installed in our beautiful new galleries in the Birrarung Building at Fed Square. I encourage all artists to enter and join us in another exciting year for the Koorie Art Show.” The call for entries is open now and will close at midnight on Sunday, 29 September 2024. The exhibition features a diverse range of traditional and contemporary works, spanning various mediums such as digital illustrations, paintings, prints, textiles, ceramics, and more. This event underscores the cultural richness of First Peoples creativity and provides a vibrant snapshot of the current landscape in First Peoples art across Victoria. Entries will be independently judged and are eligible for numerous awards with substantial cash prizes. These include the Creative Victoria Award for Excellence in any Media ($10,000), Viva Energy 3D Award ($5,000), RMIT University 2D… Read More
One of Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers paintings from Arles in France is set to travel outside the United States for the first time since it was acquired in 1935, offering a unique opportunity to realise one of Van Gogh’s ideas for a decorative arrangement.
