Tag: art

Melbourne Affordable Art Fair is back

Art fair AAFMelb2023 SarahBirtles HR 53

Melbourne art lovers, mark your calendars: The Affordable Art Fair is making a dazzling return to the Royal Exhibition Building from August 29 to September 1, 2024. This event, celebrating the 25th global anniversary of the Affordable Art Fair, promises to be its largest and most exciting Australian program yet, offering an unmissable experience for families and art enthusiasts alike. This year’s fair is packed with fun and engaging activities designed to captivate visitors of all ages. The refreshed Children’s Art Studio, led by the talented Dion Parker, invites kids to dive into creative activities and enjoy free face painting, ensuring they have a blast while exploring their artistic side. Meanwhile, parents can soak in the vibrant display of artworks with ease. The Artists in Action segment is a must-see, featuring live sketches, an innovative ART ATM offering unique pieces, and a spectacular larger-than-life ‘reading room’ installation. These dynamic showcases are sure to leave you inspired and entertained. Art aficionados will be thrilled by the largest Australian gallery lineup ever assembled under one roof, with over 60 Australian and international galleries presenting a kaleidoscope of masterpieces. This year’s event emphasizes transparent pricing and a relaxed atmosphere, allowing visitors to engage directly with gallerists without any pressure. Adding to the excitement, the Young Talent Exhibition shines a spotlight on emerging artists under 35, providing them with a platform to showcase fresh perspectives and creativity. This exhibition is a unique opportunity to discover the next generation of art stars. Don’t miss the Access Partner Showcase, featuring a… Read More

The latest to see at the National Art School

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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

National Gallery in London celebrates a huge milestone

People art gallery National Gallery

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

Unveiling WILDER TIMES: Arthur Boyd and the Mid-1980s Landscape

Landscape paintings hanging on a wall

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

Koorie Art Show 2024: call for entries!

Georgia Cromarty Desert Series 4 Christian Capurro 300dpi

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

Sydney Contemporary new galleries to the FUTURE sector

Roslyn Oxley Gallery

Sydney Contemporary is thrilled to announce the inclusion of esteemed galleries ACAE Gallery from Melbourne, Five Walls Gallery also hailing from Melbourne, and Minerva based in Sydney, into the illustrious FUTURE sector of the Fair for the year 2024. These new additions join the ranks alongside returning favourites Jennings Kerr from Robertson, NSW, and LON Gallery from Melbourne. The art aficionados and enthusiasts are invited to secure their tickets for Sydney Contemporary through the online portal at: Sydney Contemporary Tickets Sydney Contemporary takes immense pride in its association with the NSW Government, receiving steadfast support from the state’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. This collaborative effort ensures the continued success and vibrancy of this cultural extravaganza, solidifying Sydney’s position as a hub for contemporary art and creativity. Tickets to Sydney Contemporary are available to purchase online: https://sydneycontemporary.com.au/tickets/

Momentous moment in art at National Gallery London

Art National Gallery

In 2025, the art world will witness a remarkable event at the National Gallery as “Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300?1350” opens its doors in spring, marking the 200th anniversary of the institution. This exhibition promises an unprecedented reunion of paintings by some of the most celebrated Italian artists of the 14th century, artworks that have been scattered across the globe for centuries. Highlighting this unique collection are masterpieces in gold ground, many originally part of larger compositions, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the innovative spirit of Western painting tradition from this era. The spotlight of the exhibition is the coming together of several panels from the revolutionary double-sided altarpiece, the Maestà, painted by Duccio di Buoninsegna for the cathedral in Siena. Recognized as the first double-sided altarpiece in Western art, this narrative shift in art will be showcased along with other significant pieces from the ensemble. Notably, the National Gallery’s panels from the Maestà will be reunited with works like “Christ and the Woman of Samaria” from the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, and “The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew” from the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Another focal point is the reunion of the Orsini Polyptych by Simone Martini, a folding piece created for private devotion, likely for Cardinal Napoleone Orsini. Dispersed between prestigious institutions – the Louvre in Paris, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, and the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin – the exhibition will bring together all six panels for a rare presentation. Besides these reunifications, the exhibition… Read More

Unlocking the Beauty in Grey: Eser Gündüz’s New Exhibition

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Eser Gündüz, the Turkish contemporary expressionist artist, is set to captivate art enthusiasts once again with his upcoming exhibition titled ‘This is a Grey World, Nothing Good Happens Here’. The showcase, running from 16th to 28th February, is a profound exploration of the relationship between nature and urban life, challenging the conventional perception of the color grey and inviting viewers to uncover the hidden beauty within. Through 17 new works, Gündüz seeks to redefine the notion that the world is dull, desolate, and monotonous. The color grey, often associated with negative connotations in modern society, becomes a canvas for the artist to convey a powerful message of hope and beauty. Drawing inspiration from his recent move from urban Provence to rural France, Gündüz introduces a muted color palette that deftly captures the coexistence of nature and urban life. In a departure from his previous vibrant creations, the artist’s latest pieces reveal an innovative technical element, incorporating electronic components that illuminate his signature resin frames. This serves as a symbolic representation of the illumination of darkness, urging viewers not to be deceived by the mundane, but to seek out the hidden beauty that lies within. Gündüz’s journey to uncover the beauty in grey has been profoundly influenced by his newfound connection to nature. By witnessing its constant renewal despite human impact, he has embraced a new aesthetic that celebrates the harmony between the natural world and industrial elements. His works feature striking depictions of nuclear reactors and factory chimneys, emphasizing the inherent beauty that exists within… Read More