John Lovett – the magic of watercolours

Welcome to the magical world of atmospheric landscapes, contoured buildings and beautiful bricks walls. John Lovett’s watercolour paintings present a delicate, and yet a stately, expression of the world seen through this artist’s experienced eye. Colours sing off the paper and the allusive forms in paint, ink and pencil emerge in perfectly balanced compositions. The… Read More »

On this day in art history: Mona Lisa stolen

As I read French news this morning, a note popped up at the bottom of the page, 1911 – The Mona Lisa stolen by a Louvre employee If you’ve been to visit the lady with the most famous smile, you probably have formed your own opinion about this quintessential artwork. Surprisingly small, from behind the… Read More »

The Kiss/Le Baiser/Der Kuss/Il Bacio

With the International Kissing Day (6th July) just behind us, it seems appropriate to look at some famous kisses in art. There is no way to touch on all images concerned with this eternal subject of a fundamental human act of love, but perhaps the small selection below will inspire you to look for more… Read More »

Zygmunt Libucha: master of the female form

From time to time we all need to experience something that connects us to the raw essence of life. Throughout art history the female nude has been a quintessential subject for artists and sculptors. As artists re-imagine the subject of the Nude, it is comforting to know that right here in Australia there is an… 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 »

Ballet Preljocaj – art made on stage

Snow White’s dark magic forces the innocence to push through obstacles of more than the reality of life. It is haunting; full of raw emotions. This is art made on stage. Admittedly, I had high expectations for Ballet Preljocaj. Contemporary ballet from one of France’s most acclaimed companies, combined with the costume designs by Jean… Read More »