Category Archives: Museum

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Supporting art: living or dead?

If you are an art collector, and frequently visit contemporary art galleries in search of a new piece that speaks to you and that you just have to have, then you are supporting the artists – in the true sense of the word. “Art demands sacrifice” – the well-known Russian idiom (“Искусство требует жертвы”) seems… Read More »

Wake up, Brisbane!

Why is it so hard to get people into art galleries in Brisbane? When we think of art in Australia, the first cities that come to mind are really Melbourne (known as the art capital) and Sydney (it’s big, has everything, and plenty of it). Brisbane? Pfft! When I’m overseas, I often have to explain… Read More »

Iconic artwork: a curating failure?

…At least such was my recent experience at the exhibition of “The Greats” at the Art Gallery of NSW. The exhibition presented around 70 works from the museums of Scotland, including drawings and paintings by the great art masters between 15th and 20th centuries. Da Vinci, Botticelli, Titian, Rafael, Rembrandt, Monet, Cezanne, Creuze, Watteau, Sargent!… Read More »