Category Archives: Curating

Art nourishment in the ‘low’ season

How to nourish yourself with art during the holiday season? When many galleries take a break from their busy curatorial schedules and go into a refurbishment mode, it can be a little frustrating to get your regular art fix. For example, a couple of years ago on a trip to Versailles, I had the purpose… Read More »

Artist’s stylistic ‘fingerprint’

What gives an artist their style? Or whatever it is we call ‘style’ – those distinguishing characteristics which we may or may not be able to put into coherent words. That distinguishing mark that sets one artist apart from others is what every artist searches for in their work. The perfect blend of skill, personality… Read More »

At art’s disposal

The current technology available to museums and art galleries allows artists, curators and exhibition designers to push artistic boundaries further and further. Installation is the art craze of the 21st century, and exhibitions around the world are bursting with explorations of colour, light, sound, touch and smell. But it is when these senses work together,… Read More »

Is old art still relevant?

I’ve always been an advocate for a complete education – proper understanding of your subject, its history, and appreciation of all of its aspects. From this perspective, all art historians should learn and understand the various mediums of art making. If we are critiquing and researching artworks, we should have an appreciation of the labour… Read More »

Nude and fabulous!

It’s bold. And messy. And beautiful. And crude. And confronting. And entertaining. Nude: Art from the Tate collection bring together pieces from the Tate Museum (London) at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and it is, hands down, fabulous. The Nude is always an intriguing subject. It is an art form usually considered essential… Read More »

Displaying the collection

How to display your museum collection? It is the never-ending question for galleries throughout the world. How art is presented can make an enormous difference to how it is perceived, remembered, and accepted by the audience. I remember a particular piece from “The Great” exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales – it… Read More »

Italy in suburban Melbourne

Mystique, translucent images of Italian landscapes caught my eye walking past a contemporary art gallery in Melbourne’s inner suburbs. Having visited Italy last year, I was intrigued by the impressionistic images of stone houses, old bridges and hill-side architecture that seemed to be hundreds of years old. Upon entering the gallery, I discovered a gem… Read More »

What’s in a frame?

Having just returned from FRAME Symposium organised by AICCM (Australian Institute for Conservation of Cultural Material) and the National Gallery of Victoria, I feel like I have stumbled upon a hidden treasure. Admittedly, not terribly aware of frames before hearing about the Symposium, I was excited and curious to explore this aspect of artwork further.… Read More »

Degas at NGV

I love going to the NGV. Even as you approach the building, the glass waterfall at the entrance makes for an inviting composition, curtained in with minimalist brick walls. The elegant yet earthy welcome is underscored by the always-friendly, impeccable staff in every facet of the gallery. Combined with a world-class quality exhibition, it makes… Read More »

Abstract curating – the challenges of Contemporary Art

I was really looking forward to this exhibition. Contemporary art practice of five generations of women congregated in one place. Pressed for writing deadlines, I didn’t research the exhibition before my visit. But that shouldn’t be an issue for an opening night visit, right? Wrong. As I entered the room, the attention grabber was a… Read More »