Talking with Painters

December 2, 2023

Ep 153: Jan Senbergs

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. And because I hadn't gone to an art school, I was very isolated. It's quite different for artists today. Now there are thousands of young people trying very hard to make good art after their schooling. It's a different atmosphere. Schools pump out all these people with hopes and ambitions. That’s the reason it's good to know some of the older painters. MS Yes. Like John Brack? JS Yes, John Brack was one … Len Crawford, Fred, Roger Kemp – these were heavy-duty Melbourne blokes. MS It's amazing that you, in your early 20s, were hanging out with those people. JS Yeah, it was actually. Because I couldn't get into art school so I’d started working in a silkscreen printing company, which was a terrible bloody job (laughs). ‘Modern monument in colour ‘ 1975, Colour screenprint, 56.6 x 81.2cm (image)National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne MS Why? Was it heavy work or just dirty work? JS Dirty work.

7 min

November 5, 2023

Ep 152: ‘Kandinsky’ with co-curator Jackie Dunn and artist Desmond Lazaro

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. Guggenheim Foundation Vasily Kandinsky 'In the black square' June 1923, oil on canvas, 97.5 x 93.3 cm, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Solomon R. Guggenheim Founding Collection, by gift, photo courtesy Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation 'Landscape with rain' January 1913, oil on canvas, 70.5 x 78.4 cm, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Solomon R. Guggenheim Founding Collection, photo courtesy Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation 'Yellow painting' July 1938, oil and enamel on canvas, 116.4 x 88.9 cm, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Solomon R. Guggenheim Founding Collection, photo courtesy Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation 'Around the circle' MayAugust 1940, oil and enamel on canvas, 97.2 x 146.4 cm, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Solomon R. Guggenheim Founding Collection, photo courtesy Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation

October 21, 2023

Ep 151: James Powditch live at the AGNSW

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)’, acrylic on paper and cardboard 122 x 366 Finalist Wynne Prize 2022 ‘Crowdy Head IV’, Oil on masonite, 50 x 48cm, Peter Powditch The Wynne Club Championship 2023, oil, acrylic and pen on board, found objects , 180 x 316.1 cm , Wynne Prize finalist Sam I Am, acrylic on paper and board 200 x 240 cm, Finalist Archibald Prize 2023 Digital work, James Powditch

52 min

October 7, 2023

Inspiration from the Archives | Risk

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 Sign up to the TWP newsletter Book tickets for my conversation with Steve Lopes at the Art Gallery of NSW

25 min

September 10, 2023

Inspiration from the Archives | Colour (Part 2)

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 Sign up to the TWP monthly newsletter here Follow the show on Instagram Follow the show on Facebook Connect with me on LinkedIn

36 min

August 22, 2023

Inspiration from the Archives | Colour (Part 1)

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)

21 min

August 9, 2023

Ep 147: Ann Thomson in her 90th year

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

26 min

June 19, 2023

Ep 146: Francis Giacco at his Australian Galleries exhibition

Watch the edited video version of this podcast episode on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel The exhibition of Francis Giacco's paintings now showing at Australian Galleries in Sydney has been a long time coming. Covid pushed back the scheduling but it was worth the wait! I met Francis at the gallery and we walked through the exhibition talking about several key works which cross portraiture, still life and landscape. Apart from the Archibald, Francis has won the Percival Portrait Painting prize (and other awards) and has been a People's Choice winner in the S.H.Ervin's Salon des Refuses. Titled 'Recent works: Pictures at an Exhibition (apologies to Mussorgsky)', the show is a combination of recent work and major paintings from the 80s and 90s. It includes Francis' enigmatic multi-figured portrait which won the Archibald prize in 1994. Several other works hanging in this first room were shortlisted in the Archibald and Doug Moran National Portrait Prize. Influenced by Vermeer and the early Renaissance masters, his work exudes beauty and vitality. He's a keen observer of the effects of light, whether it's streaming from behind a still life or fracturing through a bamboo curtain and the way he depicts detail in the illuminated subject often pushes the real into the abstract. Francis (also known as Frank to those who know him) was my first podcast guest and in the past also taught at Julian Ashton Art School where I first met him. Many of his students have gone on to make paintings which have hung in the Archibald prize themselves and I can think of at least three who are finalists in this year’s exhibition. The exhibition continues at Australian Galleries until 2 July 2023. To hear the episode click on 'play' above. Click here to watch the shorter 8 minute video version of this episode. Links YouTube video of this episode My first podcast interview with Francis in 2016 Francis Giacco at Australian Galleries Francis Giacco on Instagram Francis Giacco on Facebook Johannes Vermeer Subscribe to the TWP newsletter https://youtu.be/csBvbFfcwUc Homage to John Reichard (1994) egg emulsion on marine plywood, 202cm x 188cm Archibald Prize Winner, 1994 Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries Lee Lin Chin (1993) egg emulsion on marine plywood, 163cm x 127cm, Archibald Prize Finalist, 1993; Doug Moran Finalist, 1995. Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries White widow 1999-2000 egg emulsion on marine plywood, 132cm x 119cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries The piano 1984 oil on canvas, 96cm x 89cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries Jenny’s garden #25 – the altar 2020-23 oil on marine plywood, 122cm x 128.5cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries Jenny’s garden #20 – commotion 2020-23 oil on marine plywood, 43cm x 88cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries Balthus’ cats 2020-23 oil on marine plywood, 122cm x 126cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries The audition 1990 egg emulsion and oil on marine plywood, 60cm x 60cmImage courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries Bondi Pavilion 1988 oil on canvas, 76cm x 61cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries Self portrait #3 – after Rembrandt c. 1980 oil on canvas, 31cm x 27cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries Rushcutters Park – bushfire smoke c. 1990 oil on canvas on board, 39cm x 35cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries

40 min

June 11, 2023

When I won that art prize (part 4) – Georgia Spain

In the final episode of the series ‘When I won that art prize’ we go back to 2021 when a 27 year old Georgia Spain won the Sir John Sulman Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW, the first time she had entered the prize. In the same week she was announced the winner of the Women’s Art Prize Tasmania. These announcements were made less than 12 months after she was one of 5 artists to receive the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art scholarship. Georgia's recent work is currently hanging in the exhibition ‘Once more with feeling’ showing at Ngununggula, in the southern highlands of NSW. See below for links to Instagram videos about that exhibition. To hear this episode click on 'play' beneath the above photo. Links Full Georgia Spain interview Georgia Spain's acceptance speech for the Sulman Prize at the AGNSW Episode 115 - 'The Archibald Winners' Sam Leach YouTube video (Part 1) Sam Leach YouTube video (Part 2) Tickets for Del Kathryn Barton live interview at the AGNSW 'Artists in Conversation' Subscribe to the TWP newsletter 'Once More with Feeling' at Ngununggula, Southern Highlands, 3 June - 13 August Instagram video - Megan Monte talks about 'Once more with feeling' Instagram video - Maria Stoljar at Ngununggula Karen Black Ben Quilty Solo exhibition by Francis Giacco at Australian Galleries, 15 June to 2 July 2023 ‘Getting down or falling up’, acrylic on canvas, 180.6 x 187.5 cm Winner: Sir John Sulman Prize, 2021 https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cs73wXShsoy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cs94XEbhR5e/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

15 min

May 17, 2023

When I won that art prize (part 3) – Megan Seres

In this episode I’m taking you back to my interview with Megan Seres who won the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize in 2016. Megan received the $150,000 in prize money for her stunning painting, ‘Scarlett as Colonial girl’, which depicted her daughter in 19th century dress against a golden landscape. Megan hadn't planned on entering the competition, but was persuaded by a friend. When she heard her name announced as the winner, she was completely shocked. To hear the episode press play beneath the above photo. Central photo of Megan Seres supplied by the artist Links Megan Seres full Talking with Painters interview (ep 41) 'The Archibald Winners' (ep 115) Talking with Painters YouTube channel My YouTube video of Megan in her studio (2018) My 15 second video of the painting hanging in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize exhibition in 2016 Megan Seres' website ‘Scarlett as colonial girl’, 2016, winner of the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize 2016

17 min

May 6, 2023

Archibald winner Julia Gutman

You can see an edited video version of the interview with Julia Gutman here Australia's most famous art prize was awarded yesterday at the Art Gallery of NSW together with the Wynne and Sulman prizes. The $100,000 prize went to a shocked but happy 29 year old Julia Gutman for her fabulous portrait of singer/songwriter Montaigne. It’s titled ‘Head in the sky feet on the ground’, a beautiful mixed media work consisting of oils, found textiles and embroidery. I had a chance to talk with her shortly after the announcement and I’m bringing you today that conversation together with her acceptance speech. The Wynne prize for landscape painting or figure sculpture went to Zaachariaha Fielding for his painting 'Inma’. Zaachariaha is primarily a singer, the lead vocalist of the band Electric Fields, and sings in Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara and English. Together with producer Michael Ross they have received 22 awards over the past 6 years for his music. In the winning work Zaachariaha aimed to visually depict sound, specifically the sounds of Mimili, a small community in the eastern part of the APY lands in South Australia and thrilled everyone at the announcement by singing with a few friends saying 'this is what the canvas sounds like' (see below for a link to a short video). The Sulman Prize for genre painting which was judged by the artist Nell and went to Doris Bush Nangarrayi for her work 'Mamunya ngalyananyi (Monster coming)' which depicts several Mamus the ominous and malevolent spirits that terrify Anangu. These figures are typically seen to have large haunting eyes with straight hair standing upright and can shapeshift into many different forms, including the human figure. Doris lives in Papunya in the Northern Territory and paints vivid memories stories and dreams from her life. See below for images of all winning works. Links Julia Gutman's website Video of Zaachariaha Fielding https://youtu.be/eI1pStmYY0E?si=uOzNmScilDmGki0l https://youtu.be/GIF0LOntO2o https://youtu.be/eaTKIf6fBT4 Winner Archibald Prize 2023, Julia Gutman 'Head in the sky, feet on the ground', oil, found textiles and embroidery on canvas, 198 x 213.6 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter Winner Wynne Prize 2023, Zaachariaha Fielding 'Inma', acrylic on linen, 306.2 x 198.5 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter Winner Sulman Prize 2023, Doris Bush Nungarrayi 'Mamunya ngalyananyi (Monster coming)', acrylic on linen, 198 x 273.5 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter

15 min

April 28, 2023

When I won that art prize (part 2)- James Drinkwater

In part 2 of the series 'When I won that art prize' we go back to episode 29 when James Drinkwater recalled winning the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship in 2014. The award included a three month residency in Paris at the Cité Internationale des arts, a dream come true for any young painter. However, when he and his young family set off for France, not everything went according to plan. Upcoming show Solo show at Edwina Corlette, 'You could just make a painting and write it all in there - new paintings from the slip room', 3 - 23 May, 2023 Links Episode 29, James Drinkwater on Talking with Painters Episode 115, The Archibald Winners YouTube video of interview with Packing Room prize winner Andrea Huelin James Drinkwater on Instagram James Drinkwater at Nanda\Hobbs James Drinkwater at Edwina Collette James Drinkwater at Nicholas Thompson Gallery Lottie Consalvo Photo of James Drinkwater by Maria Stoljar (2017) ‘Encrusting the marvellous heart’, diptych, 2015, oil and collage on hardboard, 180 x 244cm Finalist Wynne Prize 2015

12 min

April 22, 2023

When I won that art prize (part 1) – Prudence Flint

Golden moments from the archives! While I'm busy updating my YouTube channel and taking a break from new interviews, I'm thrilled to bring you a new series featuring clips from past podcast guests. In my first series 'When I won that art prize' I look back at conversations I've had with painters about their experiences with winning awards. Although there are plenty of upsides (the prize money being one of the main ones) it's not always a positive experience! In 2017 (ep 35), I chatted with the fabulous Prudence Flint. No stranger to art prizes, she has won the Portia Geach Memorial Award, the Len Fox Painting Award and has been shortlisted in the Archibald seven times. But when I asked her what it was like winning the Doug Moran National Portrait prize in 2004, with prize money of $100,000, her response was not what you might expect. Links Full TWP Prudence Flint interview - episode 35 Prudence Flint website Prudence Flint on Instagram Prudence Flint's studio on TWP YouTube channel Talking with Painters YouTube channel The Good Oil Podcast with Graeme Douglas Subscribe to the Talking with Painters newsletter ‘A Fine Romance #9’, 2004, oil on linen, 117 x 82cm Winner of Doug Moran National Portrait Prize 2004 ‘Baby’, 2015, oil on linen, 105 x 90.5cm Finalist in Archibald Portrait Prize 2015

14 min

March 18, 2023

Ep 140: Idris Murphy: Backblocks (live at the S.H.Ervin Gallery)

See the YouTube video of Maria Stoljar's earlier conversation with Idris Murphy here Last Thursday I was thrilled to speak with Idris Murphy, leading contemporary artist and a previous podcast guest, in front of a live audience at the S.H.Ervin Gallery in Sydney. It's where the survey exhibition of his work, 'Idris Murphy: Backblocks' is now showing and continues until 26 March 2023. Curated by Terence Maloon, it features breathtaking work predominantly from the last two decades. Paintings which shimmer, glow, and transport the viewer. Idris talked with me about his career including the stories behind several works, the influence indigenous culture has had on his approach and how he works in the studio. Although this exhibition is impressive in its quality and depth, this isn't the first survey show of Idris’s work. The exhibition ‘I and Thou’ in 2009/2010 had highlighted the preceding 30 years of work. He has exhibited in over 40 solo shows over the years with work in major public collections including the National Gallery of Australia and Art Gallery of NSW. Thanks to everyone who came along! I also filmed our conversation and will be uploading an edited version of this chat to the TWP YouTube channel in the coming months. Idris is represented by King Street Gallery in Sydney. Photo of Idris Murphy in his studio (2022) by Maria Stoljar Current exhibition 'Idris Murphy: Backblocks', S.H.Ervin Gallery, Sydney, until 26 March 2023 Links Idris Murphy's website Idris Murphy at King Street Gallery Previous podcast interview with Idris Murphy: Episode 131 Henri Matisse Clip of the American writer I refer to in the episode at about 6:40 - Etel Adnan - on beauty Susan Sontag - 'On Photography' Jeanette Winterson Annie Dillard Rose Wylie John Berger The quote we refer to is from his book 'and our faces, my heart, as brief as photos' Bono - 'Surrender' Nick Cave Badger Bates Tickets to Artist Talk with Nick Stathopoulos at AGNSW Subscribe to the TWP monthly newsletter https://youtu.be/YlceSOHxf6w?si=Alp_RTOQcEWFxoRd Installation photo - S.H.Ervin Gallery (see below for individual works) 'Somewhere in France 1', 2017, acrylic and collage on aluminium, 151 x 141cm ANU Art Collection 'Somewhere in France 2', 2017, acrylic and collage on aluminium, 151 x 141cm ANU Art Collection 'Somewhere in France 3', 2017, acrylic and collage on aluminium, 151 x 141cm ANU Art Collection 'Half Moon at the New', 2015, acrylic on aluminium, 153 x 153cm Courtesy of the artist and King Street Gallery 'Weipa Harbour Storm', 2005, acrylic and collage on board, 120 x 120cm 'Low tide Boodery National Park', 2015, acrylic and collage on board, 150 x 150cm Private collection

36 min

February 27, 2023

Ep 139: Yvette Coppersmith

For those of you interested in portraiture in Australia, Yvette Coppersmith needs no introduction. She has painted dozens of portraits, including a collection of fascinating self-portraits, and is regularly shortlisted in the country's most competitive portrait awards. In 2018 she was awarded the one that would place her in Australian art history - the Archibald Prize. What has captured my attention more recently, though, are Yvette’s abstract works, particularly a body of work I saw in her exhibition ‘Presage’ at Sullivan + Strumpf in Sydney last year. They were thickly textured, swirling abstractions and how she came to create that show is as interesting as the paintings themselves. Yvette has been painting for over 20 years and her work is held in many public and private collections. In addition to winning the Archibald Prize, she has won the Metro 5 Art Award and has been a finalist multiple times in nearly every prestigious portrait prize in Australia, including the Doug Moran, Portia Geach, and Darling Portrait prizes. In this episode we follow her career from her early photorealistic works to her present-day experimentation with paint and genre, encompassing still lifes and interiors along the way. To hear the conversation click 'play' below the above photo. See below for images of the works we talk about in the show. Photograph of Yvette Coppersmith by Mel Savage Links Yvette Coppersmith's website Yvette Coppersmith on Instagram Yvette Coppersmith at Sullivan + Strumpf 'Presage' exhibition at Sullivan + Strumpf Roger Kemp 2019/20 retrospective at the National Gallery of Victoria Talking with Painters YouTube channel Sign up to the Talking with Painters newsletter 'Self-portrait after George Lambert', oil and acrylic on linen, 122 x 101.5cm, 2018 Winner Archibald Prize 2018 'Nude Self-portrait after Rah Fizelle', oil on linen, 91.5 x 66cm, 2016 Finalist, Portia Geach Memorial Award, 2016 'John Safran', oil on plywood, 120cm x 90cm, 2009 Archibald Prize finalist 2009 'John Safran', oil on plywood, 120cm x 90cm, 2009 Archibald Prize finalist 2009 'In the Garland, portrait of Paul Capsis', oil on linen, 22.5 x 111.5cm, 2007 Finalist, Archibald Prize, 2008 'Untitled Movement (Scarlet Lake)', oil on jute, 76.5 x 61cm, 2022 Photo: Matthew Stanton 'Untitled Movement (Triptych)', oil on jute, 3 x 122.5cm x 91.5cm Photo: Simon Hewson 'Arrangement with Grey and Yellow', oil on linen 61cm x 46cm , 2014 'Geranium and Succulents', oil on linen, 80cm x 59.5cm, 2015 Posthumous Portrait of Edith Morris, oil on linen, 86.5cm x 63.5cm, 2020 Photo: Matthew Stanton Collection of Melbourne Girls Grammar School

58 min

February 2, 2023

Ep 138: Anthony White

The gestural marks in Anthony White's work are often bold and demanding of the viewer's attention. These abstract works vary from swirling lines in saturated colour, to textured surfaces and more formal collaged constructions. What is not apparent on the surface of the canvas is the time the artist has spent reading, writing and researching in the lead-up to their creation. Newspapers and books play as much a role in his work as the paint itself and writing his own thoughts on social and political issues and current events are crucial to his creative process. In this podcast conversation we touch on those ideas but Anthony also makes many insightful observations about the creation itself. Born in Australia, Anthony is now Paris-based and is represented by several galleries in Europe and Australia. His first museum show, titled 'Mobilising Material', was held at the Mark Rothko Art Centre in Latvia in 2022. He also returned to Australia last year on a creative fellowship at the National Library of Australia where he researched Sidney Nolan‘s commissioned mural of the Eureka Stockade. (See below for a link to his presentation relating to that research) He has been awarded the Marten Bequest Travelling scholarship, amongst other residencies, and his work is held in public and private collections internationally. Scroll down for a video of highlights of this interview on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel. Click on 'play' below the above photo to hear the podcast episode. Photo supplied by the artist Links Website Anthony White on Instagram Anthony White at Metro Gallery Anthony White at Boullier Fine Art Anthony White at Artscape Luxembourg Mobilising Material Exhibition at the Mark Rothko Art Centre, Latvia National Library of Australia Creative Fellowship presentation 2022 (YouTube) Click here for my US highlights Instagram reel Subscribe to the TWP newsletter https://youtu.be/QzWRmXJ_p1c?si=DfHqQFlVys2y85-_ 'Lampedusa', 2019, oil and ripolin enamel on linen, 150 x 120cm 'The Landscape is never Innocent (after Mannalargenna)', 2018, oil and ripolin on linen Finalist and Highly Commended in 2018 Glover Prize 'Sanctuary' 2016, oil and shellac on linen, 120 x 100cm 'Federation Peak II', 2020, oil on linen, 150 x 120cm Finalist 2021 Glover Prize 'Ghost series XIII' 2022, acrylic and flash on linen, 90.5 x 90.5cm 'Proletariat', 2017, 91.5 x 91.5cm

52 min

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2023