Author Archives: HelenG

About HelenG

I am an art historian, curator and writer. Please enjoy my blog. Je suis une conservatrice, une historienne de l'art et une écrivaine. S'il vous plaît, amusez vous ici et commentez si vous souhaitez.

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 »

New shade of Blue!

Brace yourselves, artists! There is a new shade of blue only just discovered – YlnMn blue. Sometimes the best things happen accidentally. This is how scientists at Oregon State University came across a new shade of blue. The scientists were experimenting with new materials to be used in electronics when they came across a pigment… Read More »

Brisbane Rotary Art Spectacular – exhibition reflections

As I approached the Central Plaza tower, the lively lights pouring from inside beamed with enthusiasm. A line of eager visitors lined up outside, all elegantly dressed and keen to get in. My attempt to avoid the line-up by waiting outside turned out a failure – the crowd only grew larger, and I lined up… 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 »

The optimism of Korean narratives

Watch out – stories are coming to life! Bustling with respectful enthusiasm of traditional Korean folklore, Sujin Nam’s exhibition at Brisbane Modern Art Gallery filled the walls with dragons, phoenixes, farmers, bathing women, birds, and mountains. An entire village community comes to life at the different stages of one man’s life journey. If you are… Read More »

‘Sunflowers’ under the microscope

A little while ago I had the opportunity to attend a lecture on 3D modelling of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers hanging in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. This was part of the University of Queensland World Science fair, with a guest speaker Emeritus Professor John Drennan, specialising in electron microscope and conservation work of some… Read More »

Caravaggio ‘deconstructed’

In our technology-overloaded world, an Italian art gallery chose to present the Baroque paintings of an Italian genius through an innovative curatorial exhibit. Caravaggio Experience is an exciting video installation of the great Italian master’s paintings, put together by Azienda Speciale Palexpo and Medialart, running at Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome until July 3. The… Read More »