Category: ARTS & CULTURE

Melbourne’s Affordable Art Fair is back this September

View from up top 2 inc Art to Art and Fenton and Fenton

Updated: 19/08/2022

Returning to Melbourne this September 2022, Uniting trusted galleries with avid aesthetes, the famed Affordable Art Fair aims to help people discover new artists and galleries and demystify the conventional art buying experience with highly visible and relatively affordable pricing. For a few days this September (1-4), the Fair will collate myriad art forms including painting, sculpture, photography and limited-edition prints. With something to suit all budgets, prices will start from $100 and cap at $10,000. Similar to the Affordable Art Fair of 2021, buyer’s will walk away with select pieces or arrange for delivery of larger or bulkier buys for their homes, places of work and collections. Exhibiting galleries include the coveted Martinich&Carran on Victoria’s Surf Coast, Prahran’s Fenton & Fenton, Studio Gallery founded by Melbourne artist Kerry Armstrong, and all-female collective, Tits & Co. Leading Australian online gallery Bluethumb will return for its second year with M Artist Collective making its Fair debut alongside JUMBLED and BlackCat Gallery. London’s Rebecca Hossack Gallery (RHG) headlines the list of international galleries with The Gallery Eumundi travelling from Queensland. The full list of exhibiting galleries can be viewed on the Affordable Art Fair website.

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

Tags: Affordable Art, Affordable Art Fair, Art Fair Melbourne, Australian art, Best places to buy art Australia, Melbourne Affordable Art Fair, melbourne art

Sydney Fringe Festival is back! 500+ shows this August

by James Banham

Posted: 04/08/2022

Sydney’s largest independent arts festival, has today announced its full program of over 500 events across 50 venues and nine festival hubs from 16 August – 30 September 2022, making it Fringe’s largest and longest program to date. There’s a literal TONNE on, so we’re only going to give you a taste here – go to the Sydney Fringe Festival website for more to get planning. The LIMITLESS festival: with a dedicated hub at 107 Redfern, LIMITLESS celebrates deaf and disabled artists across a two-week program of inclusive, diverse and show-stopping performances and exhibitions. Highlights include 300 Paintings in Lockdown, comedian Sam Kissajukian’s take on art, the artistic process and mental health; and Crips and Creeps Comedy, an inclusive comedy night celebrating comedians who are marginalised due to sexuality, race, gender or disability. Renowned artist Digby Webster will also be exhibiting a selection of works in the gallery. A full venue takeover of the historic ballroom and breakfast room at the Castlereagh Hotel, Sydney Fringe Cabaret Club features a month-long program of fabulous cabaret shows, while Fringe Comedy will present over 135 shows at the Factory Theatre. Another buzzing new festival hub in the heart of the city is The Barracks Comedy Club, a showcase of the best emerging and established comedians. With over 15 performances a week throughout September, highlights include AJ Lamarque’s English Breakfast, a sentimental comedy show following AJ’s journey as a mixed raced, queer person; and Tu Nri Banega, a Hindi comedy show about the everyday struggles of immigrants from India.

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Sydney Fringe, Sydney Fringe Festival, Sydney Fringe Festival is back 500+ shows this August

Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms are open: chance to see Platinum Jubilee exhibition is now

by James Banham

Posted: 23/07/2022

Every summer (usually), Buckingham Palace opens its world famous State rooms, to the public for a first-hand look into the space that the Royals occupy. It’s an experience that few are afforded but everyone should take, peeping behind the veil of intrigue that surrounds the British Royal Family and all the glamour and prestige behind their life’s journeys, rituals and ceremonies and private jewellery collections. This year from 22 July – 2 October 2022, the latter is the highlight of a visit to the Buckingham Palace State rooms with an exhibition that keeps the celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee called Platinum Jubilee: The Queen’s Accession. It’s a modest, but oh-so impactful exhibition that shares elements of the Queen’s life as the Head of State and her journey from adolescence to adulthood. Through displays of some of the world’s most famous tiaras, crowns and parures (sets of matching jewellery pieces), all accompanied by photos taken by the Queen’s photographer Dorothy Wilding (1893 – 1976) that have inspired postage stamps all over the world, it’s an exhibition worth seeing. If for nothing else, then just to see the diamonds! You’ll see the famous Diamond Diadem, The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, the Delhi Durbar necklace and the South Africa necklace. Through the snaking journey you take past the Throne Room, Queen’s Picture Gallery, Ball Room and many coloured State Rooms of Buckingham Palace, your experience gives you a first-hand glimpse into the life of a Monarch like Queen Elizabeth II, her… Read More

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

Tags: Buckingham Palace, Buckingham Palace Platinum Jubilee exhibition, Buckingham Palace State Rooms, State Rooms

National Gallery London’s Summer on the Square

The National Gallery London from the front with umbrellas and tables spread out in Trafalgar Square

by James Banham

Updated: 23/07/2022

This summer from 11 29 August in the heart of London, the National Gallery will host a free festival of immersive art, creativity and community. Summer on the Square (Trafalgar, that is), is a festival that’s a re-working of the Gallery’s art collection – creating an entirely new participatory set of experiences and activities that play with scale, spectacle and sound. Come along to immerse yourself in a purpose-built arts studio; participate in practical and walk-in art and sound installations; as well as sketching, making, moving, and exploring The National Gallery’s collection. The sessions will be free, drop-in and open to all ages and abilities. During an unprecedented cost of living crisis, the National Gallery hopes the festival will be an opportunity for local and London-wide communities to enjoy art and celebrate their own creativity with friends and family – creating a space for wellbeing and joy in tough times. For the full program and timings, head to the Summer on the Square website

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

Tags: london, London blog, london guide, National Gallery festival, National Gallery London's Summer on the Square, Summer on the Square, what to do london, What's on in London

The Other Art Fair is not your ordinary art fair

by Emi Berry

Updated: 19/07/2022

Sydney, it’s almost time for The Other Art Fair! Held from 21 to 24 July, The Other Art Fair Sydney showcases more than 120 independent artists against the spectacular sandstone backdrop of Barangaroo’s The Cutaway. Presented by Saatchi Art, The Other Art Fair combines boundary-pushing yet always affordable works with installations, performances, live DJ sets and live tattooing for good measure. The Other Art Fair is a global gathering of creative thinkers, game changers and pleasure seekers sharing emerging talent and unforgettable experiences. Set against the backdrop of the world’s biggest cities, each of their fairs is different. The fair combines boundary-pushing yet always affordable artworks with immersive installations, performances and a few curious encounters. The result is an inspiring, evocative, inclusive and fun art fair experience that reframes art and creates the unexpected. Meet and buy art directly from some of Australia’s most exciting up-and-coming artists while enjoying a mulled wine from The Other Art Fair bar. “Sydneysiders have well and truly embraced The Other Art Fair’s egalitarian and light-hearted approach to all things art. We can’t wait to introduce them to new artists and experiences once again,” said Fair Director Luke Potkin. The Other Art Fair makes buying art easy, acting as a one-stop shop for everything you need to get your new piece home and on the wall ASAP. Purchase artwork at the fair using Art Money, enabling you to pay over time and interest-free. Grace Fine Art will provide complimentary wrapping so your new artwork can safely join you on the… Read More

Category: ART, SYDNEY

Tags: art fair, saatchi art, the other art fair

Keep celebrating the Platinum Jubilee: Windsor Castle has a new exhibition

by James Banham

Posted: 09/07/2022

And it’s all portraiture, photographs and items of Her Majesty’s dress and jewellery, including the Coronation Dress, Robe of Estate and the Coronation Necklace and Earrings. Paying homage to Her Majesty and her sensational 70 years on the throne, the exhibition will give you unfettered access to the Queen at a time when her life changed. The Queen’s Coronation, which took place at Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953, was one of the most significant occasions of the 20th century. The event was a source of national celebration, seen to usher in a new age of progress and a spirit of optimism in post-war Britain. Three million people lined the processional route in London and many more took part in church services and street parties across the country. An estimated 27 million people – over half of the UK population – watched the Coronation service on television, while a further 11 million listened to the radio broadcast. All the Queen’s brooches If there’s one thing you’d’ve noticed about Queen Elizabeth, is that she loves a brooch. This exhibition will have a great number of them and display them for the first time is a group of four brooches belonging to Her Majesty, each representing a nation of the United Kingdom, with a sprig of shamrock for Northern Ireland, sprays of daffodils for Wales, thistles for Scotland and roses for England. The brooches are made of gold, set with white, pink and yellow diamonds and, for the shamrock, emeralds. The Queen has worn these brooches on numerous occasions, often… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Queen Elizabeth, Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Windsor Castle exhibition

London’s Royal Academy of Arts announces Charles Wollaston Award winner 2022

by James Banham

Posted: 24/06/2022

Good news for independent and emerging artists as this year’s Royal Academy’s 254th Summer Exhibition and Charles Wollaston Award has a new winner! Uta Kögelsberger took out the position for her video work, Cull, a 5-channel video installation that follows the gigantic task of the clear-up process after the devastating impact of bushfires. It charts the efforts of the teams responsible for cutting down the dead trees left standing, that are now endangering the remaining structures and roads. In a metaphor for the suspended sense of emergency we find ourselves in, each tree is documented as it comes crashing to the ground, seemingly out of nowhere, like dead carcasses, sometimes falling with such force that the earth beneath them shake. Uta won the £25,000 prize for the Charles Wollaston Award, recognising ‘most distinguished work’ in the exhibition and is one of the most significant art prizes awarded in the UK. For more and to pay it a visit, head to the Royal Academy of Arts website

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

Tags: London art school, London's Royal Academy of Arts announces Charles Wollaston Award winner 2022, Royal Academy Arts London

Homegrown talent to see at Sydney Opera House this spring in La Traviata by Opera Australia

by James Banham

Posted: 24/06/2022

If there’s one soprano you need to see in your life, either while living in or visiting Sydney, it’s Melbourne’s own Stacey Alleaume. She’s a rocket of a singer that is more often than not, found up front-and-centre in many of Opera Australia’s annual productions. And it’s easy to see why… Stacey was proclaimed a star when she sang Violetta in the 2021 Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour production of La Traviata and last month received more glowing reviews for her main-stage debut as Violetta at Arts Centre Melbourne. Along with Stacey, soprano Irina Lungu will open the second stage of the Sydney season on 22 October, singing her signature role of Violetta in Australia for the first time, having sung the role across Europe, the UK and Tokyo, including receiving rave reviews in 2019 at the Vienna State Opera. Along with a range of other singers, the spread of what’s on from Opera Australia is – as per usual – internationally acclaimed, and will shine the light on the best of Australia’s arts and music scene from the lens of Opera Australia. Here’s a full run-down of the Opera Australia winter season for 2022. For more and to book tickets to La Traviata, head to the Opera Australia website. What is La Traviata about? Opera Australia explains it as a tragic love story that inspired pop culture classics Moulin Rouge and Pretty Woman, Verdi’s famous score includes the show-stopping aria ‘Sempre libera’ and the instantly recognisable drinking song, ‘Brindisi’. Combined with lavish sets and costumes,… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, OPERA

Tags: opera australia, opera australia la traviata, Opera Australia Stacey Alleaume, Opera in Sydney

National Gallery London begins countdown to 200th birthday with Bicentenary celebration

People gathered around front door of National Gallery Trafalgar Square

by James Banham

Updated: 22/06/2022

2022 it seems, is the year of milestones and celebrations. If Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee wasn’t reason enough to celebrate all that’s wholesome and likeable about the UK, then perhaps the news that the Nation’s favourite Western-style gallery, the National Gallery of Trafalgar Square is turning 200 years old. And they’ve got a lot planned to celebrate it. The countdown’s on to 10 May 2024 when the institution hits the milestone. What will it do with this time? Celebrate its past and look forward to the future with a year-long festival of art, creativity and imagination which sets the tone for its third century, of course! And the best bit is everyone’s invited. The celebrations will extend from in-to-outside the Gallery, encouraging visitors to London and locals to participate, view, engage and learn. “We will make it easier than ever for everyone to share a space with some of the greatest paintings in the world. From seeing a real work in the context of your local museum or gallery to enjoying a dive into the virtual history of the nation’s collection, everyone can find new ways to connect with art,” says the Gallery. Here’s a run-down of what’s on to look forward to. Dates and more info to come from the National Gallery website MORE: See the Raphael exhibition at the National Gallery until 31 July The Gallery across the nation The National Gallery is going national, taking key elements of its 2000+ strong collection to areas all over the UK. NG200: National Treasures 12… Read More

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

Tags: national gallery, National Gallery 200 birthday, National Gallery London, NG200, Trafalgar Square gallery

Sydney’s favourite chicken joint BUTTER teams up with Spotify A1 for limited edition eats

by Danielle Kirk

Updated: 22/06/2022

If you’ve ever been to BUTTER, Sydney’s hottest chicken shop, you’ll know it’s hard to go past the classics. However thanks to a new partnership with Spotify you will be quickly forgetting the famous Cheezus burger and opting for the new limited edition bites. BUTTER and Spotify have teamed up to launch the BUTTER x Spotify A1 menu. Inspired by local hip-hop artists A.Girl, ChillinIT and Day1, the uber popular A1 playlist and talent has lead to BUTTER feast for the ears and mouth with limited edition menu items from $25 such as: ChillinIT Canadian Sandwich Fried chicken burger with Chivas maple BBQ sauce, maple bacon, cheese, mayo and fries in the sandwich A.GIRL Nashville Sandwich Nashville spiced fried chicken sandwich with buttermilk ranch, fried runny egg and lettuce (note: excludes egg at Surry Hills store) Day 1 Fried Chicken Snack Pack 2 fried chicken tenders with mozzarella, house Spicy BBQ sauce and spicy mayo on a bed of fries Upgrades to include the divine cinnamon donuts and drinks, plus a family box also available if you want to go all out. “We’re so hyped to be working with Spotify’s A1 and some of our favourite and diverse local hip hop community artists to create our limited edition menu. We hope that Sydneysiders love the delicious A1 menu – we’ve had a great time working closely with ChillinIT, A.GIRL and Day1 to bring this to life.” – Julian Cincotta, Owner, Exec Chef and COO at BUTTER Sydney Get your mouths around it for two weeks… Read More

Category: FOOD & DRINK, MUSIC, SYDNEY

Tags: butter, limited edition, spotify, sydney

ARTS & CULTURE

dancers NTGDS CC Ballet Shoes 1024x512 Press Image 270824 2

National Theatre’s new show is a must-see this season

27/09/2024

By James Banham

Hold onto your top hats, theatre enthusiasts, because the National Theatre is sprinkling a little stage magic with its latest announcement. They’re rolling out the red carpet for the first major stage adaptation of Noel Streatfeild’s beloved book, “Ballet Shoes,” adapted by the talented Kendall Feaver, who you might remember from “The Almighty Sometimes.” This festive family feast will pirouette into the Olivier Theatre from 23 November 2024, promising to be the must-see show of the holiday season. Directing this enchanting spectacle is Katy Rudd, making her triumphant return to the National Theatre after her hit with “The Ocean at the End of the Lane.” Rudd’s directing prowess, paired with an all-star creative team, assures audiences are in for a visual and emotional treat. The set’s magic is conjured by Frankie Bradshaw, with costume wizardry by Samuel Wyer, and toe-tapping choreography by Ellen Kane. Composer Asaf Zohar crafts the musical atmosphere, while Gavin Sutherland handles dance arrangements and orchestrations. Lighting, sound, and video design elevate the experience, thanks to Paule Constable, Ian Dickinson, and Ash J Woodward respectively. The cast is a diverse tapestry of talent including Stacy Abalogun, Yanexi Enriquez as the ambitious Petrova Fossil, and Pearl Mackie as the nurturing Sylvia. They join a vibrant ensemble featuring the likes of Eryck Brahmania, Cordelia Braithwaite, and the dynamic trio of Grace Saif as Pauline Fossil, Justin Salinger as GUM/Fidolia, and Daisy Sequerra as Posy Fossil. Together, they bring to life the story of three adopted sisters living in a delightfully crumbling house garnished with… Read More

Glenn Barkley Assorted works in studio 2024. Image courtesy the artist and SullivanStrumpf. Photography by Ainslie.Co

New art in Sydney Glenn Barkley comes to Sullivan+Strumpf

23/09/2024

By THE F

Get ready to dive into the wonderfully bizarre world of Glenn Barkley as Sullivan+Strumpf’s Sydney gallery rolls out the red carpet for his latest solo exhibition, “experimental idiocy.” From Thursday, November 14 until Saturday, December 21, 2024, visitors will have the chance to explore a compelling new body of work that turns the fleeting digital chatter and shifting political climate into enduring pieces of art. Barkley, a trailblazer in the ceramics field, is pushing boundaries once again, transforming everyday digital noises into permanent art statements. His work in “experimental idiocy” features text from political speeches and online rhetoric, emblazoned onto ceramics to create a lasting commentary on our evolving cultural landscape. You’ll encounter phrases like “double haters” and “Anglosphere mind virus,” each firing up a conversation about the world we live in. This exhibition marks Barkley’s first solo outing in Australia following a string of successful museum projects. Known for challenging traditional ceramic norms, Barkley’s latest creations abandon functionality, turning vessels into platforms for sharp social critique. The exhibition is not just about pushing clay; it’s about pushing ideas. Central to “experimental idiocy” is Barkley’s concept of “mnemonic archaeology,” where he digs into memories influenced by personal experiences and global changes. This introspective dive allows him to revisit past concepts, imbuing his work with profound depth and resonance. For those who are mad for ceramics or just curious about cutting-edge art, this exhibition is a must-see. Barkley, whose works are housed in collections both here and abroad, has also made waves with his book, “Ceramics:… Read More

What to see this Christmas at Sadler’s Wells

21/09/2024

By James Banham

This Christmas, Sadler’s Wells is rolling out the red carpet for a festive extravaganza that’ll warm even the chilliest of hearts. As London’s winter wonderland cranks up the charm, the iconic theatre is pulling out all the stops with a trio of enchanting performances that promise to dazzle audiences from every walk of life.

Bell Shakespeare in Sydney has a new lineup

21/09/2024

By THE F

Well, folks, strap yourselves in because Bell Shakespeare is rolling out a 2025 Season that’s hotter than a Sydney summer, and it’s all about celebrating their 35th anniversary in style. For the first time in almost three decades, they’re bringing Shakespeare’s political rollercoaster, Coriolanus, to the stage. You can catch this epic tale of war and politics at The Neilson Nutshell in Sydney and the Fairfax Studio in Melbourne. It’s a story as fresh as your morning flat white, directed by the talented Peter Evans. The star-studded cast features Logie winner Hazem Shammas and the legendary Peter Carroll, so you know it’s going to be a banger. And speaking of bangers, let’s talk about their new production of Henry 5, helmed by the celebrated Marion Potts, making her grand return to Bell Shakespeare after 15 years. This production is spicing things up with a female lens on the timeless tale of young men off to war. The spotlight shines on Lebanese Australian actor JK Kazzi, making his mainstage debut, and trust us, he’s set to make waves. Henry 5 delves into the gritty realities of war, the price of power, and the journey from reckless youth to revered leader. It’s Shakespeare at his finest – raw, real, and ready to rumble. Not to be outdone, the national tour of Romeo & Juliet will be whisking theatre-goers off their feet in 26 venues across this great land. Artistic Director Peter Evans is at it again, bringing his 2023 hit production to life with newcomer Madeline Li… Read More

New opera about Australia debuts in Victoria Australia

19/09/2024

By James Banham

In collaboration with Opera Australia, Perth Festival, and Brisbane Festival, this opera is the creation of renowned composer Jonathan Mills and acclaimed librettist Meredith Oakes, inspired by Murray Bail’s Miles Franklin-winning novel.