Studying in London, the young artist examined the human figure, animals in the zoo and the rich cross-section of theatre life and of life on the streets.
Vivienne Binns.
Somebody’s every day, somewhere, sometime, 2009. Acrylic paint on canvas. 152 x 183cm
MCA/Tim Herbert
A new exhibition at Flinders University Art Gallery highlights Barbara Hanrahan’s sensory spirit, celebrating nature and unbinding social constriction.
Peter Wegner’s Guy Warren in his 100th Year, winner of the 2021 Archibald Prize.
AGNSW/Peter Wegner/Photo Jenni Carter
In its centenary year, the Trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales could not resist the symbolism of awarding the Archibald Prize to Peter Werner’s portrait of the 100 year old Guy Warren.
An artist and self-proclaimed witch, Rosaleen Norton defied cultural norms in Menzies-era Australia. Reviled by the media, she was a powerfully unconventional woman.
A re-imagined production of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town was cancelled five days before opening.
Anne-Louise Sarks
In a year of lockdowns, The Impossible Project gives life to shows that never reached the stage. More than 150 events are listed on this online archive, and sadly, more are likely to come.
Albert Namatjira’s Hermannsburg (c.1951)
National Gallery of Australia/Namatjira Legacy Trust
Asking Australians about their favourite art and artists reveals divides between those who like traditional versus contemporary forms. But Indigenous art transcends such categories.
Joy Hester at Fitzroy Gardens, 1942.
Albert Tucker/State Library of Victoria
Joy Hester’s entire body of work can be understood as an exploration of human relationships, connections, in all their complexity. A major retrospective now acknowledges her contribution.
A ghost light shines at the Theatre Royal in Sydney.
AAP/Joel Carrett
COVID-19 has shown up a mind-bending contradiction. On one hand, the arts are entwined with our daily lives. Yet culture has disappeared from federal policy. Something has gone fundamentally wrong.
Artists Matcham Skipper and Myra Gould on a Melbourne footpath, circa 1940.
Albert Tucker/State Library of Victoria
Nestled in the heart of Melbourne’s city laneways, Leonardo Art Shop - also known as Nibbi’s - provided inspiration and education to a generation of young artists.
New modelling from the Grattan Institute estimates up to 75% of people employed in the creative and performing arts could lose their jobs. Why don’t they have targeted support?
Julia Robinson’s Beatrice.
Photo by Saul Seed/AGSA
Artists have always created monsters to embody human fears. In this year’s Adelaide Biennial, Australian contemporary artists bring our past demons and current fears to life.
A new film uses pastiche to explore the whimsical world of cartoonist Michael Leunig - but the man himself gives little away and the film skates over his curlier controversies.
Guan Wei’s art, now on display at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art, crosses both Chinese and Australian cultures, working together in harmony, best described as an aspect of feng shui.
Changes to superannuation legislation have had a cooling effect on arts investment in recent years. Image: An old bee farm (c. 1900) by Clara Southern.
National Gallery of Victoria
Don’t blame the global financial crisis. The Australian art market has performed poorly over the last decade - but there is plenty of growth potential.
Best known as the subject of her husband Richard’s work, Pat Larter was herself a major artist.
Ben Quilty, Australia, born 1973. Margaret Olley 2011. Oil on linen / 170.0 x 150.0 cm.
Collection of the artist. Courtesy the artist. Photograph: Mim Stirling
Margaret Olley was known not only for her paintings, but her generosity. An exhibition of her work is currently on in Brisbane, alongside a survey of the work of Ben Quilty, her mentee and friend.
The Australian arts industry is fraught with extreme financial pressures, a highly casualised workforce and endemic competition.
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Honorary (Senior Fellow) School of Culture and Communication University of Melbourne. Editor in Chief, Design and Art of Australia Online, The University of Melbourne