An edited video version of this conversation will be on the YouTube channel soon!
It’s one of the most thrilling days on the Australian art calendar—and this year, Julie Fragar has taken out the Archibald Prize with a captivating portrait of fellow artist and colleague Justene Williams.
Her large scale portrait of Justene, appearing to float in space and surrounded by model figures and structures drawn from Justene’s creative universe, commands the viewer's attention.  Julie talks with me about the portrait and its elements, her approach to colour and her tips for a productive sitting. This episode also includes Julie’s moving acceptance speech.
Also announced today:



Jude Rae, winner of the Wynne Prize (and two-time podcast guest)


Gene A’Hern, winner of the Sulman Prize (video interview coming soon!)


Scroll down for images of the winning works

* Podcast listeners click here to see images of the works
* Julie Fragar's website
* Julie Fragar on Instagram
* Ep 28: Jude Rae
* Ep 97: Jude Rae '424-428'
* TWP on Instagram
* TWP on Facebook
* Maria Stoljar on LinkedIn
* Sign up to the TWP monthly newsletter

Julie FragarFlagship Mother Multiverse (Justene)oil on canvas240 x 180.4 cm

Jude RaePre-dawn sky over Port Botany container terminaloil on linen200 x 150.4 cm

Gene A’HernSky paintingoil and oil stick on board240 x 240 cm

 

Podcast listeners - see the art work we talk about in this episode here
Step into the gripping world of Richard Lewer — where drawing, painting, and video meet the raw edges of human experience.
Richard doesn’t look away from life’s toughest stories. From the deeply personal — like the final days of his father’s life — to the harrowing and socially charged, including the tragic death of an Indigenous child in custody and the haunting Snowtown murders, he takes it all on. But never with shock tactics. His work is quietly powerful — full of feeling, sensitivity, and a surprising touch of humour. And the surfaces he paints on? Anything but traditional — think steel, aluminium, formica table tops, even billiard tables.
Richard is a multi-award-winning artist whose work has appeared in major public and private collections. He’s been a finalist multiple times in the Archibald and Sulman Prizes, and his recent acquisition by the National Gallery of Australia will soon be part of an upcoming exhibition and tour.
This was the perfect time to sit down for a deep conversation — just ahead of his new show ‘The stories that persist are not always true’ opening on 10 April at Hugo Michell Gallery.
Richard is also represented by Jan Murphy Gallery in Brisbane and Suite Gallery in New Zealand.

Links

* Art work mentioned in this episode (for podcast listeners)
* Richard Lewer on Instagram
* Exhibition opening on 10 April at Hugo Michell Gallery 
* YouTube video- Richard Lewer talks with Maria Stoljar about his commissioned work at the Art Gallery of NSW 
* Boxing match Richard Lewer vs Luke Sinclair 2001, video, documentation of performance as art
* Worse luck I'm still here, 2014, video and animation
* Never Shall be Forgotten - A Mother's Story, 2017, video and animation
* Talking with Painters on Instagram
* Join me on LinkedIn 
* Sign up to the TWP newsletter

'We have grave concerns for your father's health'oil on epoxy-coated steel80.5 x 141 cmFinalist Sulman prize 2019

I'm not the boy who cried wolf, 202580 x 120 cmacrylic on laminate tabletop



Richard's medical disastersacrylic on linen181.5 x 152.7cmFinalist Sulman prize 2023

NGV Confessions (one wall of several)Acrylic on pegboard

The serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals that God had made. He said to the woman ‘Did God really say that you must not eat from any tree in the garden?’. She replied ‘We may eat fruit from all the trees in the garden except for the..., 2022, acrylic on canvas, 153 x 153 cm

'The 2006 Granny' 2024acrylic on linen200.0 x 200.0 cm

'The 2006 Granny' 2024acrylic on linen& 41.0 x 31.0 cm

https://youtu.be/Du-Lad05_vk?si=lW4hXdAYI9jmNEfo

 

Body of work 'Steve' acquired by the National Gallery of Australia

Catch up on the latest YouTube videos and Instagram reels, and don’t miss the chance to be part of my next Loading Dock interview at the Art Gallery of NSW!

* Justin Williams (video)
* Justin Williams - ep 60 podcast interview
* Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt (video)
* Loading Dock Interviews Playlist 
* Nic Plowman (Instagram reel)
* Sam Eyles (Instagram reel)
* The Art Room 
* Sign up to the TWP newsletter
* Join me on LinkedIn

 

My conversation with two remarkable Australian artists, Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt was in front of a fabulous audience at the Tweed Regional Gallery.
Robert and Keith completed residencies at the gallery's Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence Studio, drawing inspiration from objects in Margaret Olley’s recreated home studio at the gallery. The result of their residencies is A Dictionary for Painting, a stunning exhibition on display until March 2, 2025. In this episode, Robert and Keith share their creative highs and lows, offering an intimate glimpse into the making of their works.

Special thanks to Tweed Regional Gallery for recording this event and sound engineer Dan Harcombe for his expertise. A video version of this interview will be online soon - and don’t miss my earlier interview with Robert from 2021, linked below.
Links

* Podcast listeners click here to see images of the works
* Robert Malherbe
* Keith Burt
* Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre
* Ep 162 - Ingrid Hedgcock 
* Ep 161 - Sophie Perez and Sarah McDonald 
* Ep 120 - Robert Malherbe
* Robert Malherbe on the YouTube channel
* John Honeywill 
* Sarah MacDonald Instagram reel - what to take on a residency
* Sign up to my monthly Newsletter
* TWP Instagram
* TWP Facebook
* My LinkedIn

Selection of work by Robert Malherbe

Selection of work by Keith Burt

Robert Malherbe (b.1965)Olley’s table 09 2024oil on linen81 x 66 cmCourtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery© The artist

Keith Burt (b.1969)Bird 2024oil on canvas30 x 25cmCourtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery© The artist

Keith Burt (b.1969)Floral jug 2024oil on canvas40 x 40cmCourtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery© The artist

Robert Malherbe (b.1965)Olley’s table 06 2024oil on linen81 x 66 cmCourtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery© The artist

Margaret Olley (1923–2011)Still life with cornflowers 1995oil on board66.9 x 90.1 cmOn loan from University Art Collection, Chau Chak Wing Museum, The University of SydneyDonated through The Hon R P Meagher bequest 2011© Margaret Olley Art Trust

Keith BurtUrban ArtistsOil on canvasWinner 2020 Brisbane Portrait Prize84 x 66cm

Robert MalherbeThe Stoic, 2011oil on linen76 x 61cm(Portrait of Nicholas Harding)

Keith Burt (b.1969)Jar 2024oil on canvas40 x 40cmCourtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery© The artist

Keith Burt (b.1969)Vase 2024oil on canvas40 x 40cmCourtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery© The artist

Robert Malherbe (b.1965)Olley’s table 12 2024oil on polyester51 x 41 cmCourtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery© T...

Ingrid Hedgcock, director of the Tweed Regional Gallery, shows me around the amazing Margaret Olley Art Centre which is the relocation of Margaret Olley's home studio from Paddington in Sydney.
Famous for being like an Aladdin's cave of eclectic objects, the recreated home studio contains the sources of many inspirational items which appear in Margaret Olley's paintings.  Over an astonishing 21,000 items were relocated from Sydney to the gallery.

Ingrid, having been involved in the project almost from its inception, is the ideal person to share insights into the creation of this extraordinary tribute to Olley.

This is the second of three episodes recorded at Tweed Regional Gallery. The previous episode is my conversation with Sophie Perez and Sarah McDonald undertaking a residency at the gallery and the following episode will be my conversation with Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt at the gallery about the exhibition 'A Dictionary for Painting'.

Photo of Ingrid Hedgcock supplied by Tweed Regional Gallery

* Podcast listeners click here to see images of the Margaret Olley Art Centre
* Margaret Olley Art Centre
* 'A Dictionary for Painting', exhibition with Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt at the Tweed Regional Gallery until 2 March 2025
* Scott Bevan on William Dobell
* Ben Quilty (ep 80)

'The Hat Factory', Margaret Olley Art Centre

'The Yellow Room', Margaret Olley Art Centre

See an edited version of this episode (5 mins) on the talking with Painters YouTube channel







An artist’s residency provides more than just uninterrupted time to work; it’s also a valuable space for risk-taking, experimentation, and self-reflection.







That's what I learned when I caught up with Sophie Perez and Sarah McDonald during my recent visit to the Tweed Regional Gallery. They were there for a residency in the Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence studio. Both are accomplished landscape painters working in oils, have exhibited in solo and group shows across the country and both made the trek across Australia to immerse themselves in this experience - Sophie from Victoria and Sarah from South Australia. It was wonderful to hear their thoughts on the value of the residency and what has come from it. 

This is the first of three podcast episodes which I recorded on my visit to the Tweed Regional Gallery a couple of weeks ago. I was invited to facilitate a conversation in front of an audience with Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt, two leading painters who recently completed funded residencies at the gallery. Their new works, now hanging in the exhibition A Dictionary for Painting, are inspired by objects from Australian art royalty Margaret Olley’s glorious home studio, which has been relocated within the gallery. The gallery recorded the conversation and it will be coming soon to the podcast. I was also lucky enough to have an impromptu chat with gallery director Ingrid Hedgcock, an expert on Margaret Olley, who will be joining me on the next episode.

Links

* Podcast listeners click here for website page and images of works 
* Sign up to the Talking with Painters newsletter
* Sophie Perez website
* Sarah McDonald website
* Sophie Perez Instagram
* Sarah McDonald Instagram 

https://youtu.be/jxJybTWc81s?si=8neVQgRZyTP1x7y6

Wall of Sophie Perez' work

Wall of Sarah McDonald's work

Work mentioned by Sarah at about 9min 40s



Work mentioned by Sophie at about 18min 30s



Work mentioned by Sophie at about 21 min

 

 

 

 

 

Podcast listeners click here to view the works
Through layers of paint in varying translucency, Karen Black explores not only the physical nature of the female form but through her use of abstraction and considered use of colour she brings out another dimension - an emotional layer. 
There is a strong sense of a spontaneous response in her paintings so you may be surprised to hear that reading and research play as much a role in her process as creating those drips and brushstrokes.

Karen talks with me in this episode about her fascination with recent research on frequencies and vibrations which occur in all matter. That interest informs her most recent body of work which will be on view in her upcoming solo show 'alternative frequency' at Ames Yavuz in Sydney.

Karen has been acclaimed with awards and residencies and her work is in the collections of many public institutions. She has been repeatedly shortlisted in the Archibald and Sulman prizes, among many others, and has work hanging in both those prize exhibitions in the Art Gallery of NSW this year. She has also been recognised for her ceramic work, two of which have been acquired by the National Gallery of Victoria.

In this podcast episode Karen talks with me about her childhood memories of art, how she came to painting, the story behind her current show and some interesting aspects of her process.
Links

* Sign up to the TWP newsletter
* Karen Black on Instagram
* Karen Black at Ames Yavuz
* Karen Black at Sutton Gallery
* Solo show 'alternative frequency' at Ames Yavuz Gallery, 31 August to 5 October 2024

 

'Both of us'oil on canvas61 x 92 cmFinalist Sir John Sulman Prize 2024Source: AGNSW website



‘Head wind’ 2024,oil on polyester, 183.3 x 153 cmImage courtesy of the artist

'Licking the rain' 2017oil on canvas152.5 x 122 cmFinalist Sir John Sulman Prize 2017Source: AGNSW website

'I Will Shade You from the World'2022Oil on canvas213.6 x 198.5cmImage courtesy of the artist

Vivian Vidulichoil on polyester183 x 152.5 cmFinalist - Archibald Prize 2024Source: AGNSW website

'Crown legs arms' 2016earthenware, 23ct gold leaf69.0 × 29.7 × 29.2 cmCollection, National Gallery of Victoria

 

Watch the video version of my interview with Laura Jones here on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel
Congratulations to previous podcast guest Laura Jones on winning the Archibald Prize - Australia’s most famous portrait prize  - with a sensitive and meaningful portrait of writer and environmentalist Tim Winton.
On Friday I interviewed Laura shortly after the announcement and I’m bringing you that 5 minute conversation in this episode but I’ve also gone through the archives to my podcast conversation with Laura in 2018 to bring you something extra. 

When I interviewed Laura a few years ago it was after she had finished a residency on the Great Barrier Reef where she was studying the terrible bleaching events which occurred there (and continue to occur) and her concern surrounding those events is not unconnected with her winning portrait in this year's Archibald Prize.

Because it was after seeing Tim Winton’s documentary on the ABC, Ningaloo Nyinggulu, about the fight to save the Ningaloo reef that Laura requested an Archibald portrait sitting. They have in common a sense of urgency that we must act now on climate change and are doing everything they can to bring attention to the devastating and inevitable consequences of inaction.

One of the most interesting parts of my conversation with Laura was when she explained how coral bleaching occurs. It’s complex and scientific but she explained it in a way that anyone could understand so I thought I would bring you that part of the interview today .  

The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes exhibition continues until Sunday 8 September 2024.  The Archibald finalist works then go on tour across 5 venues across NSW and for the first time, to the Northern Territory. The Wynne Prize finalist works will tour to four venues in regional NSW.

* 2018 podcast interview with Laura Jones (ep 53)
* Laura Jones' Archibald Prize acceptance speech (Instagram)
* YouTube version of my Archibald interview with Laura
* Incognito Art Show
* Studio A

Tim WintonOil on linen, 198 x 152.5cmImage: Art Gallery of NSW, Jenni Carter Winner 2024 Archibald Prize

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See the video version of this episode on the TWP YouTube channel here. 

This is my 5th collection of Loading Dock Interviews of entrants to the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes.

Six brave painters fronted my camera and microphone as they delivered their work to the packing room at the Art Gallery of NSW via the loading dock.

Thankyou to these artists (tap on their name for their Instagram page):

* Andrew Bischoff
* Mila Kalik
* Joshua Van Gestel
* Simon Weir
* Linda Lockyer
* Mary Shackman

Tickets for the 'Artists in Conversation' talk with me and Marikit Santiago at the Art Gallery of NSW

Sign up for the Talking with Painters Newsletter here. 

https://youtu.be/T-26mfmJMqw?si=L_YMco2XH8Hwwsup

 

See highlights of this interview on the YouTube Channel
Caroline Zilinsky's paintings freeze pivotal moments in our culture's history, encouraging us to reflect upon our times, whether it's the absurdity, the horror or the humour.
At the risk of being labelled a conspiracy theorist, she's attracted to the dilemmas brought on by the internet era and shines a light on the things that trouble most of us: our loss of privacy, shortened attention, a heightened focus on appearance,  a growing indifference to human suffering and the increasing power assumed by tech giants.
Her paintings often depict a political or social narrative and although she accepts some are too confronting to hang above the sofa, there's something about the levity in her use of line, colour and form which invites us to venture into the darker corners of our culture, causing us to linger and question.
Caroline is also well known for her portraiture and landscape painting. She won the Portia Geach Memorial Award portraiture prize in 2020 (the same year she won the Evelyn Chapman award) and has been a finalist in many others including the Archibald and Darling portrait prizes.
This interview took place at the mid-career survey show of Caroline's work 'Exquisite Cadaver' at the University of Newcastle Gallery. Curated by Gillean Shaw, it was a collection of 40 stunning works spanning over 2 decades.
The interview was also filmed and a 6 minute video of highlights can be seen here on the YouTube  channel.
Feature photo:  Phillip Antonio Lemos


* Caroline Zilinsky on Instagram
* Caroline Zilinsky at Nanda\Hobbs
* Sign up to the TWP newsletter
* TWP YouTube channel
* Loading Dock interview
* My AGNSW Artists in Conversation interview with Caroline
* Ceal Floyer

https://youtu.be/qW9UOk7RA7I?si=Sc30OmX9unO_Mitu

'Kubla Khan'2022oil on linen107 x 106.7 cm

'Exquisite Corpse'2024Oil on linen

'For Whom the Bell Tolls' 2023oil on linen138 x 138cm

'Faceless The Congressional Hearing of Mark Zuckerberg' 2020oil on linen122 x 122cm

'Man of Few Words'2020Ink on AGNSW archive manila folder30 x 21cm (paper size), 60 x 47cm (framed size)

'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' 2023Oil on linen112 x 122cm

'Plastic Fantastic', 2023oil on linen56 x 62cm

'Refract Back', 2023Oil on linen112 x122 cm

'Too Long; Didn't Read (Universal Declaration of Human Rights)'2023Oil, Oil Stick and Digital Configuration on Canvas97 x 87cm

'Me and Ellie', 2004-2005oil on linen 71 x 454.5cm'My Brother Adrian' oil on linen72.5 x 54cm

 

 

 

Podcast listeners click here to see images of the work

Over the years, podcast guests have shared some fascinating back stories to paintings they have made, stories which you could never have guessed just on viewing the work.

Sometimes that back story has made me look at the work in a totally different way and I’m bringing you another eight artists' works in addition to those in ep 155.

Click on the artist's name below for the full podcast episode (and any YouTube videos) and see images of the works we talk about below.

* Davida Allen
* Jacqui Stockdale
* Sam Leach
* Sam Leach YouTube video
* Robin Eley
* Peter O'Doherty
* Kathrin Longhurst
* Tom Carment
* Nicholas Harding

Links mentioned in this episode

* TWP YouTube channel
* Sign up for the TWP Newsletter
* TWP Loading Dock video 
* NGV Triennial highlights - Instagram reel
* Memorial service for Jan Senbergs

I dream of Sam Neill when I go to bed, 1986Davida AllenNational Gallery of Victoria © Davida AllenCollection: National Gallery of Victoria, MelbournePurchased 1986 (P22-1986)

Drawings of George StirlingJacqui Stockdale

George Stirling from the Heads of the Family seriesJacqui Stockdale

Sam LeachMachine-assisted memory of Harewood Farm, Meadowsoil on linen51 x 51 cm

Robin Eley‘Self Portrait’, 2010, oil on Belgian linen, 39″ x 25″Runner Up, Doug Moran portrait Prize, 2010

Peter O'DohertyEdgecliff high rise, 2019, acrylic on canvas, 198x167cm

Kathrin LonghurstPoster Girl, 2011, oil on canvasFinalist Portia Geach Memorial Award, 2011

Tom CarmentWhere I scattered my father's ashes, Oratunga, SAwatercolour on paper45.3 x 52 cm

Nicholas HardingRobert Drewe (In the swell)2006oil on canvas (frame: 140.4 cm x 125.0 cm, support: 138.0 cm x 123.0 cm)Collection: National Portrait Gallery

Podcast listeners click here to see images of the works
Over the years, podcast guests have shared some fascinating back stories to paintings they have made, stories which you could never have guessed on merely viewing the work.
Sometimes that back story has made me look at the work in a totally different way and I’m bringing you a few of those to you in this episode. See images of the works we talk about below.
Links

* Tickets for talk with Caroline Zilinsky at the Art Gallery of NSW (Artists in Conversation)
* YouTube video - Anthony White
* Vincent Fantauzzo podcast episode
* Prudence Flint podcast episode
* Ben Quilty podcast episode
* Scott Bevan podcast episode on William Dobell

2:40    ‘Heath’, 2008, oil on canvas, 106 x 140cm (Collection of the Art Gallery of NSW, highly commended and winner of the Archibald Prize People’s Choice award 2008. Portrait of Heath Ledger)

10:40    ‘Baby’, 2015, oil on linen, 105 x 90.5cm (Finalist in Archibald Portrait Prize 2015)

15:45.  ‘Kandahar’ 2011, oil on linen, 140 x 190cmPhoto: Australian War Memorial

18:00   ‘Captain S. after Afghanistan’ 2012, oil on linen, 210 x 230cmFinalist Archibald Prize 2012Photo: AGNSW/ Mim Stirling

20:30    ‘Margaret Olley’, 1948, oil on hardboard, 114.3 x 85.7 cm boardCollection: Art Gallery of NSWWinner Archibald Prize 1948

23:45.    ‘Storm Approaching, Wangi’, 1948, oil on cardboard on composition board, 32.9 x 56cmWinner Wynne Prize 1948

Podcast guests talk with me about the flow state!

See below for timestamps and links to each guest's full podcast interview and video

3:39 Julie Nicholson and Fiona Verity - Podcast | Instagram video

6:40 Ann Thomson - Podcast | YouTube

7:54 Joshua Yeldham - Podcast | YouTube

10:15 Antonia Perricone Mrljak - Podcast | YouTube

11:25 Wendy Sharpe - Podcast | YouTube

12:51 Lewis Miller - Podcast | YouTube

13:50 Aida Tomescu - Podcast | YouTube

16:30 David Griggs - Podcast | YouTube

17:27 Idris Murphy - Podcast | YouTube

18:40 Kathrin Longhurst - Podcast | YouTube

20:50 Anthony White - Podcast | YouTube (coming soon)

22:07 Bernard Ollis - Podcast | YouTube

23:59 Kim Leutwyler - Podcast | YouTube

25:20 Tim Maguire - Podcast | YouTube

26:40 Belinda Street - Podcast | YouTube

27:58 Yvette Coppersmith - Podcast | YouTube (coming soon)

29:30 Tim Storrier - Podcast | YouTube

31:15 Jacqui Stockdale - Podcast | YouTube

32:02 Sandi Hester - YouTube

Links 

Sandi Hester interview on ...

Above photo of Jan Senbergs by Riste Andrievski

Click play for my podcast introduction to this interview and scroll down for the transcript.

Podcast listeners click here and scroll down for transcript.

Watch the YouTube video of Jan Senbergs' studio and work here
Links

* Jan Senbergs' website
* Jan Senbergs on Instagram
* Jan Senbergs at Niagara Galleries
* Talking with Painters YouTube channel
* Talking with Painters on Instagram
* Talking with Painters on Facebook
* Subscribe to the TWP newsletter
* PDF version  of transcript for tablet/desktop 

With over six decades of work as a painter, printmaker and draughtsman, leading artist Jan Senbergs has exhibited in over 50 solo shows and has been the subject of three survey shows including a major retrospective curated by the National Gallery of Victoria in 2016. A rare accomplishment.

His art evolved from early masterly screenprints to large scale paintings and with subject matter as varied as urban and natural landscapes, industrial themes, surreal structures and forms and aerial map-like works.

This episode has been a long time coming. Covid threw out our plans for an early 2020 meeting but two years later we met in Jan's inspirational studio in Melbourne. His voice has been affected by some health issues and so this episode is coming to you by way of transcript (below) and an intro on the podcast.

As I was setting up my audio equipment on the day of the interview, Jan and I chatted about the time he had spent in London in his 20s. We talked about other Australian artists who were there at that time. That’s where the recording of the interview began.

Jan Senbergs

I was the younger artist who came into that area and I didn't know anybody. I didn't want to bother the local Antipodeans (laughs) so I usually went out by myself. I headed for the National Gallery on one occasion and ran into Arthur Boyd heading there too. We travelled together on the bus from Pimlico to Trafalgar Square. It was very nice because we walked through the Gallery making comments. It's lovely to do that with another painter. We walked past one room and Arthur stopped and said, 'There's a good painting in this room.’ It was a big dog watching over a dying nymph, by Piero di Cosimo. He was such an interesting painter. Afterwards, Arthur suggested we go and have a drink, so we went across the road and had a couple of beers and then he said 'You'll have to excuse me, but I've got to go back home. I've got a few duties there.' We shook hands and I never saw him again. 

Maria Stoljar

You never saw him again?

JS

No, but what was nice about it was the generosity of the older person to somebody younger who had just arrived. 

MS

How lovely. But you knew a lot of famous Australian artists like Fred Williams, for example. He was a friend of yours, wasn't he?

JS

Yeah, I knew Fred. When I first started showing around, I mixed with some of the older artists. At that time there were hardly any younger artists around.

See a video version of the interview with curator Jackie Dunn here

See a video version of the interview with artist Desmond Lazaro here
The largest exhibition of Kandinsky's work ever to be seen in Australia has just opened at the Art Gallery of NSW!
The exhibition, titled simply 'Kandinsky', brings together over 50 works of one of the 20th century's most innovative and ground breaking painters - Vasily Kandinsky - with 47 paintings from the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum in New York.

Curated by the Guggenheim's curator of modern art and provenance Megan Fontanella together with the AGNSW's senior curator Jackie Dunn, these works touch on the most important periods of Kandinsky's artistic career, from the early 'Blue Rider' period, to his time in Germany when teaching at the Bauhaus school right through to his final years in Paris.

In this podcast episode (which you can also see on YouTube) I talk with Jackie Dunn about this extraordinary exhibition. She tells me about Kandinsky's life and work, including what the catalysts were for him to become a painter, his use of colour, line and form and his interests in spirituality and music.

I also talk with Desmond Lazaro who was commissioned to design a family-friendly space where visitors are invited to follow the path of a colourful labyrinth and create drawings using the shapes that inspired Kandinsky. Lazaro is a British-Indian-Australian artist whose primary ingredient is colour. His practice explores map-making, planetary systems and the concept of the journey.

Also, alongside the Kandinsky show is an exhibition of 'spirit drawings' created by British medium Georgiana Houghton in the 1860s and 70s. The exhibition, 'Invisible Friends', brings together a collection of rarely seen swirling, evocative watercolours.  They highlight how significant spiritualism was in early modernism.

'Kandinsky' is a must-see exhibition.  It runs from November 4th to March 10th, 2024.  More details here.

To hear the podcast episode press 'play' beneath the above photo.

To watch the video versions of the interviews click on the links at the top of this page or see below.
Links

* 'Kandinsky' at the Art Gallery of NSW
* Desmond Lazaro
* Tickets for my conversation with Julia Gutman on 15 November 2023 in the Artists in Conversation series
* Talking with Painters on Instagram
* Talking with Painters on Facebook
* Connect with me on LinkedIn

https://youtu.be/Pgm4112joG8

https://youtu.be/D3b3WLlsakc

'Composition 8' July 1923, oil on canvas, 140.3 x 200.7 cm, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Solomon R. Guggenheim Founding Collection, by gift, photo courtesy Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation

'Blue mountain' 1908-09, oil on canvas, 107.3 x 97.6 cm, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Solomon R. Guggenheim Founding Collection, by gift, photo courtesy Solomon R.

This episode is a conversation between James Powditch and Maria Stoljar in front of an audience at the Art Gallery of NSW, recorded by the Art Gallery Society
James Powditch has always loved the movies. As a child in the 70s and 80s he would watch whatever he could get away with - from Taxi Driver to Deliverance.
But in recent years, after being shortlisted in the Archibald prize with paintings of Labor leader (now PM) Anthony Albanese and journalists Kerry O'Brien and Laura Tingle he noticed other themes emerge; media and politics.

In his most recent solo show at Nanda Hobbs Gallery he found a way to merge those interests. In Medium Cool: Journalism in Film, works took on titles of films in which journalism and politics were central themes. Beautifully composed assemblages incorporating found objects explored the ideas behind movies such as All the President's men and Network.

James has exhibited in over 10 solo shows and has won the Mosman and Blake art prizes. He has been a finalist in the Archibald Wynne and Sulman prizes for a combined total of about 25 times.

In this episode Maria has a vibrant (and often humorous) conversation with James in front of an audience at the Art Gallery of NSW as part of the Artists in Conversation series.

You can see images of the works they talk about below. Members of the Art Gallery Society can also see a video of this conversation for a limited period on the Art Gallery website.

To hear the podcast conversation press 'play' beneath the above photo.

Links

* James Powditch on Instagram
* James Powditch at Nanda\Hobbs Gallery
* Video of this interview on the AGNSW website (for members)
* Art Gallery Society membership page
Get tickets for the Steve Lopes talk at the AGNSW 
Samantha Dennison interview on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel



'Once upon a time in Marrickville – Anthony Albanese', acrylic on paper and board 190 x 190 cm Finalist Archibald Prize 2020 



Lloyd Cole and the Commotions album cover 



New Order - Power, Corruption and Lies album cover  



'Citizen Kave' mixed media  200 x 300 cm, Finalist Archibald Prize 2014



‘Citizen Kane’ 2022 Mixed media, framed 80 x 120cm 



'All the President’s men II' 2023 mixed media, 40 x 60cm



'All the President's men' 2023, mixed media 130 x 282cm



'Laura Tingle - the fourth estate' Acrylic and paper on board 204 x 170.1cm Finalist Archibald Prize 2022



Movie poster ‘Judgment at Nuremberg’



Digital work, James Powditch



Peter Powditch Photograph by Robert Walker (c1970) 



‘Peter Powditch is a dead man smoking’ 2009, Mixed media 193 x 263cm, Finalist Archibald Prize 



Family photo, James Powditch



‘Crowdy Head (after Peter Powditch)’,

Risk. Some painters want it in their toolbox while others are terrified by it. But nearly every painter will tell you that you need it in order to move forward in your practice. 
It might be using a new material, drastically altering the composition of a nearly completed painting or creating a completely different body of work to what had previously been commercially successful and critically acclaimed. Any way you look at it, you're leaving yourself open to the possibility of failure, disappointment and probably the most painful of all - ridicule. 

So whether we call it risk, chance, letting go of control or just leaving yourself open to mistakes, it all amounts to a greater openness to creativity. Taking the leap and seeing what happens.

In this episode I bring together clips from eight previous guests about what risk means to them - and how they use it.

See below for a list of the artists together with links to the full podcast conversation and YouTube video

Press 'play' beneath the above image to listen

* Vanessa Stockard  Podcast | YouTube
* Paul Ryan  Podcast | YouTube
* Guy Warren   Podcast | YouTube
* Julian Meagher  Podcast | YouTube
* Ken Done  Podcast | YouTube
* Juliet Holmes a Court  Podcast | YouTube
* Tim Maguire  Podcast | YouTube
* Joe Furlonger  Podcast | YouTube

 

Watch the Idris Murphy YouTube Video

Listen to the full Idris Murphy podcast interview

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Book tickets for my conversation with Steve Lopes at the Art Gallery of NSW

 

 

More inspiration from the archives!

Here are another 12 past podcast guests talking with me about colour.

Links to full podcast conversations and YouTube videos on each of the artists in this episode:

* 2:13  David Griggs - Podcast | YouTube
* 5:00  Laura Jones - Podcast | YouTube
* 9:08  Lewis Miller - Podcast | YouTube
* 11:10  Lucy Culliton - Podcast | YouTube
* 13:13  Robin Eley - Podcast | YouTube
* 18: 25  Melinda Harper - Podcast | YouTube
* 20:35  Tim Storrier - Podcast | YouTube
* 22:35. Wendy Sharpe - Podcast | YouTube
* 25:28  Idris Murphy - Podcast | YouTube
* 28:22  Aida Tomescu - Podcast | YouTube
* 29:31  Bernard Ollis - Podcast | YouTube
* 31:19  Emily Imeson - Podcast | YouTube

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This episode I'm bringing you some gems from the archives. Leading artists talk with me about colour!

Episodes of featured artists:

* Jo Bertini
* Paul Newton
* Philip Wolfhagen
* Nicholas Harding
* John Wolseley
* Peter O'Doherty

Links

* YouTube channel
* Talking with Painters website
* Sign up to the TWP newsletter
* Nicholas Harding talks with me about his Wynne prize painting
* John Wolseley talks with me about his watercolour techniques
* Short Instagram video of Paul Newton talking about flesh tones (longer YouTube video coming soon)

 

Watch an edited version of this conversation (4 mins) on the YouTube channel here

Ann Thomson, one of Australia's most important artists, might be in her 90th year but she shows no signs of putting down the brush.

A powerful collection of works is currently hanging in a solo show at Sydney's Defiance Gallery and Ann is looking forward to a busy 2024.  A major survey show to be curated by Terence Maloon will open at the S.H.Ervin Gallery in Sydney and travel to Orange Regional Art gallery in country NSW and solo shows at Messums in London and with Stephane Jacob in Paris are also in the calendar.

Although Ann resists the label 'abstract artist', it’s her masterful use of colour and her superb mark making that will most likely catch your attention - those luscious brushstrokes and drips. But subjects often emerge; a landscape, tribal elements, creatures of the ocean.

You’ll also see collaged passages. Ann is well known for using a textured ‘tarred paper’ which was used by builders. Although it’s in scarce supply (she believes she has bought up all remaining rolls in existence!) she doesn’t treat the material as a precious commodity. If you look closely at ‘Calypso’ for example, you’ll see the section of collaged paper is splattered with drips of paint. That’s because it had previously been lying on the floor of Ann’s studio like a drop sheet. She later pasted the paper onto the canvas where it exists surrounded by bright colours, its own history intact.

It was wonderful to catch up with Ann to hear her thoughts on creativity and studio life. She has been a guest on the podcast twice previously – in 2018 talking about her life and art and in 2020 talking about her memories of meeting Ian Fairweather (links below).

Ann is represented by Defiance Gallery in Sydney, Mitchell Fine Art in Brisbane, Charles Nodrum Gallery in Melbourne, Messums in London and Stephane Jacob in Paris.

To hear our conversation press 'play' beneath the above photo and scroll down for images of selected works included in the show.
Latest Talking with Painters YouTube videos

* Matthew Clarke
* Daniel Boyd
* Ruth Levine and Robyn Kinsela
* Ann Thomson

Other links

* 2018 Podcast conversation with Ann Thomson
* 2018 YouTube video in Ann Thomson's studio
* Podcast conversation with Ann Thomson on Ian Fairweather
* Podcast conversation with Claire Roberts on Ian Fairweather
* Ann Thomson's website
* Article on Artsy Website: 9 Overlooked Women Artists in Their Nineties

 

https://youtu.be/qLf00VQ3U6E



Transcending 2018
Acrylic on linen
153 x 122.5 cm



Shield, 2023
acrylic on tarred paper on canvas
120.5 x 81 cm

This is one of the two works referred to at about 4mins in the episode.



Calypso, 2013
oil on linen
122 x 122cm