There’s a lot to be seen at the exhibitions at the National Gallery of Australia this summer – so it’s time to get thee hence – – –click here.
Tag Archives: Visual Arts
visual arts
for the visual arts, visit our other site – click on banner above
The National at the AGNSW 2017
Exhibition Review: The National at the AGNSW 2017
To link to a review of The National at the Art Gallery of NSW – click here.
visual arts
for the visual arts, visit our other site – click on banner above
Planetary Gardening
This is an exhibition at photoaccess (Canberra) curated by Ashley Lumb and Laura McLean.
International Women’s Day 2017
Celebrating with visual art and music
click on image for more….
visual arts
for the visual arts, visit our other site – click on banner above
visual arts
for the visual arts, visit our other site – click on banner above
MoMA protests Trump
Note to Australian Galleries – how to easily make a statement
click on the image for the story of how art galleries could make a stand against the Trump actions on equity and immigration.
visual arts
for the visual arts, visit our other site – click on banner above
visual arts
for the visual arts, visit our other site – click on banner above
Broken Hill Art Exchange open-entry competition
visual arts
for the visual arts, visit our other site – click on banner above
Broken Hill Art Exchange open-entry competition
visual arts
for the visual arts, visit our other site – click on banner above
visual arts
for the visual arts, visit our other site – click on banner above
Singapore Biennale 2016
visual arts
for the visual arts, visit our other site – click on banner above
Women in Art
click on image for the story in The Guardian
visual arts
for the visual arts, visit our other site – click on banner above
visual arts
for the visual arts visit our other site – click on banner above
Art and The PM’s Lodge
NGA art on the walls of the PM’s Lodge
Have a look at the photograph above – taken from the Canberra Times.
visual arts
for the visual arts visit our other site – click on banner above
visual arts
for the visual arts visit our other site – click on banner above
NGA, Mike Parr and other stuff
The NGA has a special exhibition until 6 November 2016 on the works of Mike Parr. click on the image above….
The weird in the arts
weird things can happen within the art world – as in all aspect of life.
Michael Taylor at CMAG
I can remember the first time, being around 1985, when I saw a Michael Taylor painting and can recall the effect it had on an artwork I was doing at the time. Click on the image above for more.
Photography at Nishi Gallery – Beauty In This
Beauty In This is a wonderful photography exhibition, by Maryanne Voyazis, on for a short time at Nishi Gallery, New Acton.
Continue reading Photography at Nishi Gallery – Beauty In This
Diane Arbus and more at the NGA
There’s a wonderful exhibition at the NGA till 30th October 2016 – Diane Arbus: American portraits.
Auckland festival of photography
2016 Auckland festival of photography – June 2016
The 2016 Auckland festival of photography like many Australian photographic festival is very dependent on the enthusiasms and the energy of a small band of people, or more often than not, just one person.
Urban Suburban
Exhibition Review
Canberra Museum and Gallery: Urban Suburban. Until June 21.
The Canberra Museum and Gallery’s current major visual arts exhibition has the focus on artists’ views of life for the people living in this city.
NGA Colour My World
Exhibition Review
Colour My World, National Gallery of Australia till 30 August 2015
Here’s a recommended exhibition for those with an interest in Australian hand coloured photography from the last couple of decades.
The Photograph and Australia
Review: Photography
The Photograph and Australia, AGNSW till 8 June 2015
For anyone with an interest in photography, this exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) has to be seen, and then seen again.
A Further Shore – Robert Dein
Review of Photography Exhibition
A Further Shore: Bombs, babes and sons of beaches
Manly Art Gallery (Sydney) till 26 April 2015
From Robert Dein photographic collection
There are some photography exhibitions that really reinforce how wonderful photography can be. There are exhibitions that demonstrate just how creative some collectors are in how they choose their collections. This exhibition at the Manly Art Gallery does all that and more. If you love photography, then do not miss this exhibition of contemporary and historic photographs.
Bungaree
Visual Arts Review
Bungaree, The First Australian at The Mosman Art Gallery
Open till 22 February 2015.
We travelled along to the Mosman Art Gallery around lunch time one sunny day in early January. The gallery was quiet with no other visitors during our 45 minute visit.
The Bungaree exhibition at the gallery contains works by 16 emerging and established artists who have nominally re-interpreted the stories around Bungaree. The image to the right is of Bungaree. There are numerous historic paintings of Bungaree.
Alex Seton
Visual Arts Review
Alex Sexton, As of Today…
Australian War Memorial Canberra
This is moving stuff. It is totally recommended that you visit the War Memorial to spend time with these precious artifacts.
A reviewer has a bad day
Guardian reviewer looses the plot
It is not the job a reviewer to write stuff that everyone agrees with. The Guardian has a number of art reviewers and therefore we have a range of opinions. However one would expect any of these reviewers to be making sense.
It has come to pass that one reviewer has been showing signs of stress or something equivalent.
Architecture & Photography
Review: Photography
Constructing Worlds:
Photography and Architecture in the Modern Age
25 Sept – 11 Jan 2015, Barbican Art Gallery, London
click on any image to enlarge.
Enjoying Life in Vienna
Review: Visual Arts
Cosima Von Bonin: Hippies Use Side Door.
The Year 2014 Has Lost The Plot
MUMOK – Museum Moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig Wien, Vienna
Spoiler alert. Be warned, this exhibition did not excite! Cosima Von Bonin’s latest exhibition is across several floors of the MUMOK and it is impressive. There are loads of cultural references and heaps of barbs at things within our culture, particularly the american culture we have all come to love and loath. It was an interesting experience to visit this massive exhibition.
I took my time – but
Canberra Sculpture
Review: Visual Arts
Sculpture Festival
at Canberra Grammar School Oct 2014
There’s been a couple of short-run sculpture festivals in recent years in Canberra. It is a great thing to see these events as they provide opportunities for our sculptors who otherwise have trouble getting into the usual exhibition venues.
Richard Tuttle at the Tate Modern
Comment on reviewing of the visual arts
There have been many occasions when I visited an exhibition of contemporary visual arts, particularly those of the conceptual installation art version, and I have left with little satisfaction or a memory of strong engagement. To be positive, there have been many great pieces I have seen in this genre.
Singapore Photography
Review: Photomedia / Photography
Flux Realities: A Showcase of Chinese Contemporary Photography
at Singapore Arts Science Museum till 2 Nov 2014
Singapore Photography
Review: Visual Arts and Photography
Still Moving at Singapore Art Museum (SAM) 8Q
till 8 February 2015
image from opening night – by Paul Costigan
The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is presently exhibiting three exhibitions in 8Q, its special annex located on Queens Street around the corner from SAM’s main building. The exhibition is a triple bill made up of three exhibitions that occupy the whole of the building’s exhibition spaces.
NGA Contemporary
Review: Visual Arts
NGA Contemporary
Down by the lake in Canberra, within that strange-looking architectural structure which is part of a local folley, called Commonwealth Place, the National Gallery of Australia has moved in to open an exhibition space for Australian contemporary art. It is called NGA Contemporary and is well worth a visit.
Alex Seton
Announcement: Visual Arts Exhibition
Alex Seton, Refoulement at Sullivan + Strumpf, Sydney till 11 October 2014
This Sullivan+ Strumpf exhibition of sculptures by Alex Seton is very worth your while to make the time and visit the gallery in Sydney.
He was recently a major artist at the Adelaide Biennale and his earlier photographs are presently in an exhibition at the National Gallery in Canberra.
Colour Music at the ANU Drill Hall
Review: Visual Arts
Colour Music at the ANU Drill Hall
I wandered into this exhibition with some doubts given the title. I have long been sceptical of the direct link that some artists and authors make between music and the visual arts. This is not to say that some visual artists may be influenced by some music or rhythms.
Monash Gallery of Art, The Road
Review: Visual Art, photography
THE ROAD: Photographers on the move 1970–85
Monash Gallery of Art, 21 June–31 August 2014
National Museum of Australia Canberra
Photo-essay
The National Museum of Australia in Canberra
We meandered over to the museum on a Saturday afternoon to try their food and coffee.
Art in Landscape
Notice: A project about Art and Landscape
As I have said before, I wonder why a country such as Australia with its amazing landscapes does not have a much stronger arts in the landscape profile, let alone many more robust public art programs.
Andrew Sayers
Review: Visual Arts
The paintings of Andrew Sayers
I have not seen these works in the flesh, but from the online information, I would be very tempted to buy if I were to get down to the New South Wales South Coast to the gallery at Bermagui.
The Australia Council for the Arts
Commentary: Arts Leadership and the Australia Council
I am a firm believer in public investment in the arts. I have always campaigned for a role for the Australia Council for the Arts.
A Photograph
Ruth Waller at Nancy Sever Gallery Canberra
Notice: Local Visual Arts Gallery
Ruth Waller at Nancy Sever Gallery, Kingston, Canberra
A note that the Nancy Sever Gallery, in Kingston, is worth putting on you list for gallery visits.
We attended a crowded opening there tonight for the opening of Ruth Waller’s exhibition of recent paintings. Can I say that I would love to talk more about the art, but it was very difficult to see given the crowd. That’s why I often avoid openings and get along later.
Continue reading Ruth Waller at Nancy Sever Gallery Canberra
Annette Messager at the MCA Sydney
Review (2nd): Visual Arts
Annette Messager: motion/emotion at the MCA Australia (Sydney) till 26 October 2014
We were fortunate to have a business reason to be in Sydney for the Monday, so allowed ample time on the weekend to get down to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) on beautiful circular Quay to see this once in a lifetime exhibition of Annetta Messager’s artworks. It was definitely worth the trip. We loved it so much we went back the next day for a revisit.
ACCA Melbourne
Review: Visual Arts
A visit to the Australian Centre of Contemporary Art (ACCA) Melbourne
A Photograph
Portugal may sell 85 Joan Miro paintings
click on the image for the latest on the controversy about the possible sale by the Portuguese Government of 85 artworks by Joan Miro.
Natural Architecture
Comment: Landscape Art
One of my many puzzles has been why within Australia, with all the diversity of natural landscapes, do we not see much landscape art.
What I mean by that are artworks that actually are designed in the landscape or at least using natural materials to be in the landscape. There’s an article online about an architect who works with nature. click here.
——————————–
for more on architecture – click here
Paul Costigan, 20 August 2014
Fashion Photography Magdalene Keaney
Notice: New photography book
Fashion Photography Next, Magdalene Keaney
With contributions by Eleanor Weber
I have just seen this new book on the tables at Readings in St Kilda, Melbourne. So that means you can order in Australia and they deliver it for free.
This is a WOW book. It is about photography, about contemporary practice of fashion photography, and it is published in a lavish and stylish book.
Photographer Fan Ho
Photography: Fan Ho, Hong Kong photographer
NGA Visual Arts, Motherwell, Natori Shunsen, Contemporary Photography
Review: Visual Arts
Several exhibitions at the NGA
Our public galleries are places you should visit often, and not just for the big blockbuster exhibitions.
There are many other exhibitions, especially collection exhibitions, that are a wonder to see and enjoy.
Continue reading NGA Visual Arts, Motherwell, Natori Shunsen, Contemporary Photography
John Witzig at National Portrait Gallery
Review: Visual Arts/photography
Exhibition: John Witzig at National Portrait Gallery, Canberra
till 19th October 2014, then touring.
The National Portrait Gallery in Canberra has done itself proud with this special exhibition of photographs produced from the archive of the photographer John Witzig. Full marks to the historian curator, Sarah Engledow.
A photograph
love in a public place. (click on image to enlarge)
——————————–
Paul Costigan, 13 August 2014
Dead Blue Parrot
Monty Python promotion – dead blue parrot
Things you find on the sidewalk in London!
Public Art North Korean Style
Comment: Public Art
There’s not much to add to this story online. Click on the image.
Annette Messager at the MCA
Review (forecasted): Visual Arts
Annette Messager: motion/emotion at the MCA Australia (Sydney) till 26 October 2014
Here’s an exhibition that you must see. If you are in Sydney or thinking about going to Sydney, you must allow ample time to wander through and contemplate this exhibition by this extraordinary artist. We were there on Saturday, and it was busy. Today (Sunday) we returned to watch the film and to walk through again. If you have any interest in contemporary art, a visit to the MCA will be worth it! Then go back for a second visit.
There will be a review to follow. Click here. The catalogue is a wonderful production but I suspect it is about to be sold out (I have one).
———————————————-
Paul Costigan, 3 August 2014
MCA and Twitter
A Gallery Story
The security at the Museum of Contemporary of Art (MCA) in Sydney is usually very attentive and they are very helpful if you ask them anything. Today while visiting we noticed a fault.
Therese Ritchie and Chips Mackinolty
Review: Visual Arts
Not Dead Yet: Therese Ritchie and Chips Mackinolty – A retrospective
Canberra Museum and Gallery, till September 14 (2014)
Review: This very crowded exhibition at the Canberra Museum and Gallery brings together loads of posters and related materials by the two Northern Territory political artists and poster makers, Therese Ritchie and Chips Mackinolty. There is a lot to take in.
For anyone interested in historic poster making and the more recent version of digitally produced poster-like artworks, then set aside enough time and wander through the gallery. I say again, there is a lot to take in – the curatorial approach has been to occupy the space with as much work as possible.
Visual Artist: Banksy
Visual artist Jeff Wall
Review: Visual Arts
Review: The imagined tableaux has been a fascinating area of photography from the beginnings of the art form. Personally I place this form of photography as being one of the most enjoyable and engaging forms of photography. Therefore I would always recommend an exhibition by Jeff Wall , no matter how many times you have seen his work previously.
Visual artist Paul de Kort
Review: Visual Arts
Featured artist
Paul de Kort is an artist who is working in Landscape Art who has delivered several major projects. There’s a couple of links below..
Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook
Review: Visual Arts
Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook: Storytellers of the Town
at the ANU Drill Hall Gallery till 10 Aug 2014
Review:
I highly recommend a visit, and to take your time, to see this exhibition of video, installation, prints and photographs by this Thai artist at the ANU Drill Hall in Canberra.
Goulburn
A Photo-Essay
Here’s a small group of photographs from a recent visit to Goulburn on a very cold winter’s day. I managed to take a few moments from the business trip to snap a few photographs.
Click on any photograph to enlarge.
Brisbane, photo-essay
Brisbane, photo-essay
Here are a few photographs taken near the Roma Street Parklands in mid winter 2014. This time of the year makes for wonderful light. Please click on any of the images to enlarge them. I enjoyed this image because of the shadows and the light, the plants were being highlighted, and of course the texture and mass of the rock wall.
Near Roma Street Parkland entrance, July 2014
Gender Inequity in Galleries
Confronting art world sexism
From an article by Jori Finkel in the Art Newspaper:
In New York, Sperone Westwater comes in at 91 versus nine. Team Gallery at 85 versus 15; Matthew Marks at 84 versus 16, and Mary Boone at 83 versus 17. Some of the top galleries in Los Angeles tell a similar story: Blum & Poe is 89 versus 11; Prism is 88 versus 12; Thomas Solomon is 85 to 15, and Patrick Painter is 83 to 17.
Unloved Art
Comment: Visual Arts
The debate about getting rid of previously loved artworks
The debate over what different people, institutions and township are doing with their formerly treasured artworks by Rolf Harris has been sad to watch. This style of artwork was always more of a populist marketing campaign. His art was and remains simplistic and very ordinary at best.
I was a little shocked when he was commissioned to paint a portrait of the Queen. Continue reading Unloved Art
Harvest at GOMA
Review: Visual Arts
Harvest: Art, Film + Food at the Queensland Art Gallery – GOMA
Our public galleries have wonderful collections. Collection exhibitions are often overlooked by the public as the marketing foolishly concentrates on the block busters and special exhibitions. This is a shame as the collection exhibitions are wonderful.
I welcomed the opportunity to visit Harvest: Art, Film + Food. To see this mix of art was indeed a welcomed experience. Continue reading Harvest at GOMA
Brisbane Laneway Art
Review: Visual Arts in Brisbane Laneways, July 2014
The centre of Melbourne has a tremendous network of laneways. Many are well established as alternate routes to the main streets. Many of the laneways have cafes, and in more recent years, many have become havens for all manner of street art.
Robyn Stacey
Review: Visual Arts
Guest Relations at Jan Manton Art
I had a chance last week to see Guest Relations, the exhibition of Robyn Stacey in Brisbane. As I had pointed out in my earlier review, it is a show not to be missed.
Click here for my former post.
Click here for words in Art Almanac
Click here for Jan Manton Art.
Click here for Stills Gallery, Sydney.
——————————————-
Paul Costigan, 6 July 2014
Faked, Forgotten, Found
Good News Story: Not everything that is fake, is what it seems
A good news story from the Art Newspaper about paintings that were destined to shunted off the scene as they were obvious fakes. After some work by clever conservationists, some secrets were revealed and the paintings are in fact highly prized treasures. To featured in an exhibition: Faked, Forgotten, Found.
A good news art story. click here.
——————————————-
Paul Costigan, 29 June 2014
Anna Zahalka
Review: Visual Arts
Anna Zahalka’s 2013 Parliament House commission
On Exhibit at Parliament House in Canberra are the commissioned photographs by Anna Zahalka (click here). The photographs are of the staff who are normally behind the scenes and whose work is vital to so many operations within the building.
Robyn Stacey
Review: Visual Arts, Photography
Robyn Stacey at Jan Manton, Brisbane
Guest Relations Brisbane
I have stayed in many hotel rooms in many cities and towns. The experience of being in a hotel room, although now it is mostly apartments, is usually enjoyable but always with a tinge of weird. You enter this borrowed space and establish your presence while always being aware of the temporary nature of your stay.
FX Harsono at the NGA
Review: Visual Arts
FX Harsono and Writing In The Rain
At the seminar at the National Gallery of Australia, the Indonesian artist FX Harsono made a presentation as an Indonesian of Chinese decent who is now researching and making art about the treatment of the Chinese communities in the early days of the Indonesian republic.
There’s a fantastic video on exhibition in which FX Harsono deals with his Chinese name, in that he is writing it continuously while other forces are washing it away.
Ian North on Canberra
Review: Photography
Ian North’s Canberra Suite Series 1981,
Canberra Museum and Gallery 2014
On exhibition: # 6, 11, 12 17, 20,24
It was while visiting the Canberra Gallery for another exhibition that we spotted these six works by the artist/photographer Ian North. On exhibition were colour photographs from Ian’s suite of 24 images, the Canberra Suite Series (1981).
Mary Ellen Mark at Stills
Review: Photography
Two exhibitions at Stills Gallery Sydney
Mark Ellen Mark and Lisa Garland
I hear debates about the nature of photography today given all the digital technology and all that stuff. The technology may change, as it always has done, but capturing the image and the light and then publishing it in a beautiful format is what has always been about and remains so in the 21st Century. Photography remains a strong and powerful medium.
Black and White photography when it is done well, and the photographer engages with the subject, remains one of the wonders to be enjoyed on the walls of a gallery. The online image serves to introduce you to the works, but visiting a gallery exhibition to see the actual printed image remains a must for any lover of photography.
Three Photographs
Review: Photography
Three photographs, three photographers, and the contemplation of the women by women.
It was while visiting the Stills Gallery in Sydney to see the works by Mary Ellen Mark, that I was totally struck by the ambiance of a photograph titled: The Damm Family in Their Car, Los Angeles, California, USA, 1987. (it is reproduced larger below)
Besides the stand out nature of the total composition, the car, the children, the hands around the woman, it was the faces on the mother and the daughter that glued me for much more than the standard time one usually spends with any work in an exhibition. Then I could not help but return to it several times.
Garden of the East: photography in Indonesia
Reminder Notice: Exhibition of photography
National Gallery of Australia
Garden of the East: photography in Indonesia 1850s–1940s
21 February – 22 June 2014, free entry to exhibition (note the exhibition is on two floors)
Continue reading Garden of the East: photography in Indonesia
Visiting the National Gallery of Victoria
Review: Gallery Visitor Experience
Visiting the National Gallery of Victoria*
One of the unfortunate outcomes of the marketing of our major art galleries is that so much emphasis has been placed on the special and blockbuster exhibitions. This form of marketing may be assisting with budgets, but this success is at the cost of letting people know about the galleries’ own collection exhibitions.
Sydney Biennale at Carriageworks
Comment: 2014 Sydney Biennale at Carriageworks
I had uploaded several posts previously about the 2014 Sydney Biennale (see links at bottom of page). Visits had included the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) and the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW). A visit was made today to the Sydney Biennale at Carriageworks. Carriageworks is an interesting place and included in any visit is a wander into Anna Schwartz Gallery.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh Building
Latest News:
on the Fire in the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Building, Glasgow
The iconic library at Glasgow School of Art has been lost in the fire which swept through the Charles Rennie Mackintosh building on Friday. click here
And an interesting piece from a researcher – click here.
Art As Therapy NGV
Review: Visual Arts Book
Art as Therapy: Works from the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria, Alain de Botton and John Armstrong
This soft cover book is the guide for the special labels placed around the State Art Gallery of Victoria’s St Kilda Road Venue.
As a first comment I have to say that I was disappointed and was in fact a little taken aback by the style and contents. I am not so sure about how this effort enhances the gallery visit within the NGV*.
Canberra Visual Arts
Review: Visual Arts
May 2014 Visual Arts Exhibitions at M16 and the CCAS (Canberra)
Once upon time Canberra had heaps visual arts galleries to visit on weekends. Now there are but a few left. Last weekend I visited two publicly funded visual art spaces; being the M16 Gallery in Griffith and the Canberra Contemporary Art Space (CCAS) in Braddon. I can happily report that things are looking good and suggest you get out there and see for yourself just how both of these are traveling.*
Art Blat
Recommended Arts Blog: by Dr Marcus Bunyan
Every now and then we recommend someone else’s blog for all sorts of reasons. So here’s another. Recommend you have a look and it may be worth bookmarking it for future reference. Click on the image below.
Sue Ford Photographer at NGV
Review: Visual Arts/ Photography
Sue Ford, The National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, April – August 2014
This exhibition of the photography of Sue Ford (1943 – 2009) at the Victorian State Gallery (National Gallery of Victoria*) is a curious one. Click here – for their media statements.
As an opening statement I have to say that I did not find this exhibition as satisfactory as I had anticipated. Parts of the exhibition worked reasonably well, whereas other sections look as if someone was not sure what to do with the work, or that maybe they did not understand Sue Ford’s work.
Kentridge at Annadale Galleries
Review: Visual Arts
Exhibition and Catalogue: SO
William Kentridge, Annandale Galleries, Sydney, till 24 May 2014.
I have now posted on William Kentridge several times, the main one being the 2013 exhibition at the NGA in Canberra.
This exhibition at the Annandale Galleries in Sydney is of new work and it fills the whole two floors of the gallery. This is a must-see exhibition and so you are urged to get along to Annandale. And make sure you buy a copy of the $10 catalogue as this is a wonderful small publication in itself.
Monument in the Landscape
Review: Visual Arts
Fabrice Fouillet photography: Colosses in the landscape
Photographer, Fabrice Fouillet, has a series of images of Colosses that were created to dominate and dwarf the landscape and buildings around them.
Lox and Neon
This year, Russ & Daughters, the acclaimed appetizing institution on the Lower East Side, turns a hundred years old. To celebrate the occasion, the fourth-generation co-owners are giving customers a place to sit.
CLIMARTE
The latest from CLIMARTE
Click on graphic above
Anna Carey Photography
Review: Visual Arts
A small selection of work by Anna Carey
I have just come back from Brisbane and had the wonderful experience of seeing more photographs by Anna Carey. I have mentioned her work previously — click here for that post.
2014 Biennale of Sydney Part Three
Review: Visual Arts
Part 3/3: The 2014 Biennale of Sydney – final comments
The 2014 Biennale of Sydney is important and is definitely worth a visit if you are in Sydney. We visited the two main sections of the exhibition and have uploaded comments.
2014 Biennale of Sydney at AGNSW
Review: Visual Arts
Part 2/3: The 2014 Biennale of Sydney at the Art Gallery of NSW
The section of the 2014 Biennale of Sydney at the Art Gallery of NSW is also a mixed lot. (click here for previous post on the MCA). On the day we visited most the rest of the gallery was busy, which is normal for the AGNSW on any day of the week. As we entered the Biennale section we noted that only a few people were in this exhibition.