New kind of Sri-Lankan Australian art in Sydney
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.
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Category: ART
NGV Melbourne brings a new take to Pharaoh exhibition
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.
José María Velasco’s Mexican art comes to National Gallery London
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’s Exhibition 2024 prize winners, London
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
National Gallery’s Bicentenary gets a huge funding boost
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
Major new works by Vincent Namatjira on show in Sydney
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.
Unveiling WILDER TIMES: Arthur Boyd and the Mid-1980s Landscape
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
Anne Zahalka’s major exhibition at the National Art School Sydney
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
Generation Clay: Reimagining Asian Heritage is an exhibition that celebrates the vibrant versatility of clay, curated by the award-winning contemporary artist Vipoo Srivilasa.
Rubens’ artwork ‘The Judgement of Paris’ returns to display in National Gallery
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.