Art Wank

Brett McMahon is a Newcastle-based painter whose work explores the structures and rhythms of the natural and built environment. Represented by Nanda Hobbs, McMahon has built a significant practice spanning painting, drawing and installation.His work is known for its distilled, abstract language, bold lines, shifting geometries and a strong sense of spatial tension. Drawing from the coastal bush, industrial architecture and lived experience of place, his paintings sit somewhere between observation and reconstruction, where landscape becomes structure.Over a career spanning more than three decades, McMahon has held over 30 solo exhibitions and exhibited widely across Australia and internationally. His work is held in public, corporate and private collections across Australia, Europe, Asia and the United States. In this conversation, we talk about painting as a way of thinking, the role of environment in shaping visual language, and how a practice evolves over time without losing its core concerns. We also get into scale, material and the push and pull between control and intuition in the studio.Brett is represented by Nanda Hobbs in SydneyBrett's show at Gosford Art Gallery Understory, opens 16th May 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailJoe Frost is an Australian artist. He was born in Sydney in 1974 and has exhibited consistently since 1999.His visual thinking evolved in the urban environment and he is, in a sense, a local painter. Sydney’s remnant industrial areas were the subject of his earliest drawings and paintings and he has made extensive series of work in response to the western reaches of Sydney Harbour, the city’s CBD and the green, suburban precinct of Denistone. At times he has worked en plein air but his renditions of place have more usually been filtered through memory in the studio, where his approach to painting is improvisatory and layered. Over 25 years his process of finding-in-paint has come to manifest a great variety of subject matters, including public places, garden spaces, domestic objects and human figures in social situations. Some paintings land upon abstraction and are no less concerned with the matter of recognition: what is presented on the picture plane and what does the mind make of it? In all of Joe Frost's work a process is in play, whereby meaningful visual structure is divined from the flux of experience.Joe is represented by Liverpool Street Gallery in Sydney Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailSally Anderson’s work is strongly influenced by her personal life, including her experiences of home, motherhood and relationships, as well as second hand experiences of landscapes. She explores how meaning and memory are held, stored and carried.Born in Lismore, Sally Anderson began studying Visual Art at Southern Cross University before moving to the College of Fine Art in Sydney. She has been a finalist in the Sulman Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Portia Geach Memorial Award, the Sunshine Coast Art Prize and the Paddington Art Prize. In 2014 she took part in a residency with the Association of Icelandic Visual Artists in Reykjavik, Iceland. In 2017 she won the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship through the Art Gallery of NSW and completed a residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris.These ideas continue in her upcoming exhibition at N Smith Gallery, opening on 9 April. Called Holding Pattern, River Hug, it builds on her interest in cycles, care, and repetition, with new paintings that shift between abstract and more realistic forms.Sally is represented by N.Smith Gallery (Sydney, Australia) and Edwina Corlette Gallery (Brisbane, Australia).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailNikky Morgan Smith is an Australian artist whose practice explores the intersection of memory, place, and emotional resonance through a refined visual language. Working across painting and mixed media, her work is characterised by layered surfaces, nuanced colour palettes, and an intuitive balance between abstraction and representation.Drawing inspiration from the Australian landscape as well as personal narratives, Smith’s compositions evoke a sense of atmosphere and quiet contemplation. Her process often involves building and reworking surfaces over time, allowing traces of earlier marks to remain visible and contribute to the depth and history of each piece.Smith has exhibited in a range of group and solo exhibitions, with her work held in private collections. Through her practice, she continues to investigate how environments, both physical and psychological, shape perception, inviting viewers into spaces that feel at once familiar and open to interpretation.She is an artist based in the Northern Rivers of NSW. Completing a cross institutional bachelor of visual arts at SCU/RMIT in 2003, Nikky has staged solo exhibitions in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and participated in group exhibitions nationally and internationally.Her work has been selected as a finalist in many prestigious awards, most recently the Jacaranda Touring Drawing Prize and has also been the recipient of various artists in residence programs, most recently the Suzzane Bastien Foundation artist in residence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn late 2025, we met with artist Edward Inchbold in his studio in Sydenham. A self-taught painter, he is deeply interested in the surface and texture of paint, as well as art history and the philosophies surrounding art-making. Edward began his practice in 2020 at the age of 25. Since 2021, he has presented five solo exhibitions, including a recent trilogy at Stella Downer Fine Art spanning eighteen months: Brand New People (2024), Wisteria Lemonade (2025), and Shedding Velvet (2026). This body of work signalled a series of pivotal shifts in both his approach and philosophy, positioning his practice within a broader contemporary context.Inchbold’s paintings are defined by constant reinvention and a resistance to fixed stylistic identities. His compositions are built through processes of compression, erasure, and revision, resulting in dense, atmospheric surfaces. He employs a dynamic and controlled handling of materials, working with brushes, knives, and large scrapers to articulate his images.Alongside his solo practice, Inchbold has participated in numerous group exhibitions since 2021, with presentations at Velvet Lobster (Sydney, 2026), Brenda Colahan Fine Art (Sydney, 2025–26), Straitjacket Art Space (Newcastle, 2025–26), and AK Bellinger (Inverell, 2023–25). His work has been recognised in several art prizes, including the Lloyd Rees Memorial Youth Art Awards (2021), the Lethbridge Landscape Prize (Salon), The Lethbridge 2000 (Salon), and the Galerist Emerging Art Prize (2021), where he was highly commended. His paintings are held in private collections both in Australia and internationally.Inchbold approaches painting with a commitment to sincerity, material risk, and sustained inquiry, avoiding irony or sentimentality. His works are driven by tension rather than resolution, seeking to unsettle while holding the viewer’s attention over time.Edward is represented by Stella Downer Fine Art in Sydney, and his exhibition Shedding Velvet runs from March 31st - 25th April. - 'Shedding velvet marks a transitional phase in a deer's antler development, one of renewal. While growing, the antlers are wrapped in a soft, living layer called velvet, rich with blood and nutrients. As growth concludes, internal changes slowly withdraw this support, causing the velvet to dry and decay. In response, the deer presses and scrapes its antlers against trees and rough surfaces, gradually peeling away the withered covering. What remains is bare bone. Hardened, exposed, and newly formed, they eventually, through some labour, reveal a structure shaped through both gentle nourishment and the necessity of abrasion. This deliberate and forceful act prepares the animal for the coming season of competition and display.' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we speak with Alex Wisser, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Cementa Festival, a unique contemporary arts festival held in the rural town of Kandos, New South Wales. Known for transforming a former cement-making town into a hub of experimental art, performance, and community collaboration, Cementa has become one of Australia’s most distinctive regional arts events.Alex shares the story behind Cementa’s founding and how the festival grew from a grassroots idea into a nationally recognised platform for contemporary artists working outside traditional gallery spaces. We discuss the role of regional arts festivals in shaping cultural identity, building creative communities, and bringing ambitious artistic projects to unexpected places.The conversation also explores the relationship between artists and place—how the industrial history, architecture, and landscape of Kandos influence the work presented during the festival. Alex talks about the curatorial philosophy behind Cementa, the challenges and rewards of producing large-scale arts programming in regional Australia, and why collaboration with the local community remains central to the festival’s success.We also dive into Alex’s own artistic practice and how these perspectives inform the direction of Cementa today.Whether you’re an artist, curator, festival producer, or someone interested in the power of art to transform regional communities, this episode offers insight into how creativity can reshape place, spark dialogue, and connect people.Cementa will be held 17-20 September 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailWe spoke with artist @meagan.jacobs.art about her life and work in Ampilatwatja, a remote Indigenous art centre. The conversation looks at daily creative practice on Country and the realities of living in a desert community.Meagan Jacobs is an Australian landscape painter whose practice has been shaped by years living and working in remote Indigenous communities. Born in Sydney and now based in Ampilatwatja (Alyawarre Country), her work reflects an ongoing relationship with Country and the desert environment. Her paintings use restrained colour palettes, interlocking forms and open space.Meagan Jacobs is represented by @defiancegallery, where she has held several exhibitions, including North of Capricorn (2025). She is currently included in the group exhibition Gathering at @defiancegallery until 28 March.Jacobs has also worked within remote Indigenous art communities, including as Art Centre Manager for Artists of Ampilatwatja. This work has influenced her approach, grounding her practice in lived experience and time spent in desert landscapes. Episode recorded end of 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailJames Erskine is the Founder and Director of Liverpool St Gallery in Sydney, bringing to the role a distinguished career that spans sports management and global entertainment.Before establishing the gallery, Erskine founded SEL Sports & Entertainment, building one of the most respected management companies in the international sporting and media landscape. Through SEL, he managed and advised an extraordinary roster of talent, including legendary Australian cricketer Shane Warne, celebrated British broadcaster Michael Parkinson, and world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, among many others.As Director of Liverpool St Gallery, Erskine channels this unique background into a dynamic exhibition program that reflects excellence, character and cultural relevance. His leadership is shaped by first-hand experience at the highest levels of international sport and media — a perspective that distinguishes the gallery within Sydney’s contemporary art landscape.Through Liverpool St Gallery, James Erskine continues to merge worlds, art, sport and storytelling, creating a space defined by authenticity, legacy and vision.Recorded in Sydney end of 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we explore the life and work of Tim Johnson, one of Australia’s most distinctive contemporary artists. Known for blending Western art history, Indigenous knowledge systems, and spiritual iconography, Johnson’s practice spans decades of experimentation, collaboration, and cultural exchange.We discuss Johnson’s role in co-founding Inhibodress in the early 1970s, widely recognised as Australia’s first artist-run initiative. Established in Sydney, Inhibodress became a catalyst for experimental contemporary art, giving artists control over how and where their work was shown. It marked a turning point in Australia’s independent art scene and set the stage for Johnson’s boundary-pushing career.Johnson’s spiritual curiosity led him to engage deeply with Tibetan Buddhism, including meeting Dalai Lama. This encounter reinforced themes already present in his work, compassion, interconnectedness, cosmology, and sacred symbolism—which continue to appear in his layered, richly referential paintings.Johnson’s international reach saw him exhibit alongside renowned German painter Gerhard Richter, positioning his work within a global contemporary art dialogue. These exhibitions highlighted the intellectual and aesthetic strength of Johnson’s cross-cultural visual language.A pivotal moment in Johnson’s life was his close friendship and collaboration with Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, a leading figure of the Western Desert art movement. Johnson was given a skin name, a profound cultural gesture reflecting kinship and responsibility, signifying trust, respect, and long-term collaboration between the two artists. This relationship deeply informed Johnson’s engagement with Indigenous knowledge systems and Country.Thanks Tim. We hope you enjoy this episode.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailWith a practice that integrates sculpture, moving image, performance and painting, Sydney based artist Todd Fuller is, at his core, a draughtsman. Underpinning all aspects of his practice is a love of drawing and a belief in its power as a democratic medium to connect, engage and delight audiences. For ten years, Fuller has been crafting hand-drawn animations that grapple with love and loss, as well as ideas of place, identity and community. Often narrative in form, these award winning works are derived from Fuller’s experiences with different communities, sites and histories. He has been awarded a number of residencies that have informed and developed his practice, including time spent at Bundanon Trust, Hill End, Grafton Regional Art Gallery, as well as international stints at the Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris, the British School of Rome, and recently the NG Creative Residency in Provence.A graduate of Sydney’s National Art School, Fuller has exhibited widely across Australia over the last ten years. He was a finalist in the 2019 Sir John Sulman Prize, won the prestigious Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award in 2018, and his work is present in various public and private Australian collections, including the Parliament House Art Collection, Artbank, Sydney Harbour Trust, and numerous regional art galleries. Alongside his national success, Fuller has gained international attention, with his works in exhibitions in the United States, Italy, France, South Korea, Bangladesh, England, Singapore and Malta.Fuller’s practice extends into curatorship and arts production, having held roles with Waverley Council, Biennale of Sydney, Sculpture in the Vineyards and d/Lux Media Arts. The areas under investigation within his curatorial practice overlap with his artistic output. Just Draw, the 2016 exhibition Fuller curated with Lisa Woolfe, which toured regional galleries, showcased artworks that exemplified the varied nature of contemporary drawing practices, a subject close to Fuller’s heart. He is one half of interdisciplinary performance collective Flatline, and one third of the Hardenvale - our home in Absurdia touring initiative.Find out more from his website https://www.toddfuller.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailSanne Mestrom’s sculptural practice explores the politics of the body and the shifting nature of value in the art world. Drawing on the female form, her work questions how art history and culture assign meaning and worth—values that are never fixed, but constantly evolving.By taking these ideas out of the gallery and into public space, Mestrom uses play and participation to challenge how we experience art and urban environments. Her large-scale, playable sculptures invite hands-on engagement, blurring the line between art and everyday life while activating public spaces intellectually, physically, and imaginatively across generations.Thanks Sanne, it was a pleasure to talk to you. Sanné MestromRepresented by Sullivan + Strumpf, SydneyLectures at Sydney College of the Arts, University of SydneyAustralian Research Council Fellow ART/PLAY/RISK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailJoin Australian abstract artist Gene A’Hern, winner of the 2025 Sir John Sulman Prize, for a laid-back conversation about colour, atmosphere and the feeling of landscape. Gene talks openly about his process, working on instinct, and what it’s like to be recognised on one of Australia’s biggest art stages. It’s an easy, thoughtful chat about memory, place and how those ideas turn into bold, expressive abstract paintings. We recorded the epiosde at the end of 2025 in his studio in Emu Plains. Thanks Gene, we loved talking to you and seeing your work in the studio! Gene is represented by Cassandra Bird in Sydneyand Simchowitz Gallery, LA, USA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Artwank, we visit Bundanon to discuss the current exhibition, 'The Hidden Line The Art of the Boyd Women', with curator Sophie O’Brien. The exhibition brings attention to the women of the Boyd family (Arthur Boyd was a celebrated Australian artist, leaving his home, the Bundanon estate, to support the arts) and their role in Australian art and cultural life. While the Boyd name is often associated with male artists, this show focuses on the work, lives and influence of the women who shaped the legacy in ways that have often been overlooked.Sophie O’Brien joins us to talk through the curatorial process behind the exhibition. She reflects on how the project developed, how works and archival materials were selected, and the challenges of representing multiple generations of women across different creative practices. The conversation explores what it means to reframe established art histories and how institutions like Bundanon can open space for stories that have not always been centred.Sophie O’Brien is a curator at Bundanon where she works across exhibitions, collections and research. She has held roles at major public institutions and has worked on a wide range of projects spanning historical and contemporary art. Her practice is grounded in close engagement with artists, archives and place, with a focus on bringing new perspectives to existing collections.This episode looks at the labour of curating, the gaps that still exist in art history and how exhibitions like The Boyd Women can shift public understanding of legacy, authorship and recognition. It is a conversation about process, responsibility and the ongoing work of making space for women within cultural narratives.Thanks for chatting to us SophieRecorded November 2025Exhibition on until 15th February 2026'The Hidden Line: Art of the Boyd Women repositions the creative practices of five generations of women from one of Australia’s most prominent artistic dynasties. Showcasing more than 300 powerful and diverse works, this timely exhibition brings into focus the women of the Boyd family – artists, designers, writers, and creative collaborators – whose contributions have long been influential yet overshadowed by their celebrated male counterparts.Revealing a remarkable matrilineal line of artistic practices, the exhibition will present works by Emma Minnie a’Beckett Boyd, Lady Mary Nolan, Yvonne Boyd, Lucy Boyd Beck, Hermia Boyd and their descendents still practicing today including Lucy Boyd, Polly Boyd, Florence Boyd Williams and Ellen Boyd Green. Drawn largely from the Bundanon Collection, with key loans from the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, the National Library, and Heide Museum of Modern Art, the exhibition spans pain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailToday we’re bringing you a special bonus episode of Art Wank to celebrate the graduation exhibition of our very own co-host, Fiona Verity. Fiona has been knee-deep in her studies, working tirelessly to create an incredible body of work, and you can see it on display tonight at the National Art School BFA Graduation Exhibition — Thursday, 4 December from 6pm. Get yourself down there and take in everything that’s on show. Julie spoke to Fiona about the development of her drawing practice over her three years at NAS, how it has steadied her, focused her work, and made it quieter. Fiona talks about how much she used the NAS library, especially the drawing section, where she believes she may have borrowed more books than any other student! She also reflects on the importance of peer support and peer learning at the National Art School, and how it shapes and extends your work. Fiona has dedicated her degree show to her stepmother, who passed away earlier this year. Her grief has been worked through print, stitch, paint, and drawing based on her stepmother’s garden.Fiona was also chosen as a finalist in the Kedumba drawing Award 2025!We are very proud of you Fiona, cant wait to see what you do next!   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailZoe Young is an Australian painter whose work spans still life, portraiture and abstraction. She studied at the National Art School in Sydney and earned her BFA in 2012. Zoe currently has a show on at Sophie Gannon Gallery in Melbourne until 13th Dec 2025.In our conversation with Zoe, she spoke openly about the unusual path she took into the art world and how that path shaped the way she works today. She described leaving the National Art School twice, once as a young student who felt unready for the demands of formal training and again when life pulled her toward the buzz of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Young grew up between Sydney, rural New South Wales and alpine-region settings, spending part of her childhood in a ski lodge on the edge of the Kosciuszko National Park. In her paintings Young often applies sculptural thinking (she studied sculpture at NAS), she sees canvas as form, composing her subjects with an awareness of planes, space, and structural balance. Her still lifes might show commonplace items, her portraits draw out character and story, and her abstractions explore shape, light, and composition.Her work has earned recognition: she won the Portia Geach Memorial Award in 2018 for a portrait titled Drawing Storyboards (of film director Bruce Beresford), chosen from hundreds of entries across the nation. More broadly she has exhibited in solo and group shows throughout Australia and had a solo exhibition titled “STILL.LIFE.” in Los Angeles. Zoe is represented by Sophie Gannon Gallery in Melbourne and Phillip Bacon in Brisbane.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailWe interviewed Harrie Fasher, sculptor and artist, at her large studio in Portland NSW in November 2025. She is a permanent artist in residence at The Foundations in Portland and has built a bronze foundry and sculpture studio over many years. She has a deep interest in animals, especially horses, and her work shows a strong understanding of their bodies and movement.Harrie spoke about her daily practice and the way she shapes each piece through drawing and metal work. Her studio holds many works in progress and shows the many stages of her process, from first sketches to full metal forms.Her role at The Foundations supports the growth of the arts site and also gives her space to pursue long term projects. The foundry allows her to cast works on site and gives her full control of each stage. She works with a small team and often teaches others about casting and metal work.Harrie described her bond with horses as central to her thinking. Her works show the frame and gesture of the animal and invite viewers to see how bodies move through space.Thanks Harrie, it was wonderful meeting you and seeing your work in the studio.Harrie is represented by King Street Gallery in Sydney and Australian Galleries in Melbourne.29 November 2025 – 22 February 2026 Orange Regional Gallery'Harrie Fasher: Before Dawn is a major solo exhibition featuring monumental bronze and concrete sculptures. This exhibition represents a pivotal moment in Fasher’s career, consolidating a decade of artistic and technical research at an ambitious scale. ‘Before Dawn’ explores resilience and transformation through material contrasts – weight against fragility, rawness against refinement.Harrie Fasher is assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailThis week Art Wank met Rhonda Davis, Curator of Macquarie University Gallery, and Kon Gouriotis, curator and editor of Artist Profile magazine. They recently curated an exhibition at Macquarie Gallery titled Australian Abstraction. We spoke with them about their thinking behind the exhibition, how they chose the artists involved, and the Macqaurie university Art Collection. 'The Australian Abstraction exhibition series continues its exploration of the evolving nature of abstraction within the Australian context. This second stage retraces the diversity, episodic developments, and layered narratives that have shaped abstraction as an enduring force in Australian art.What began as an international movement has been reconfigured and transformed by artists working within the unique socio-political, cultural, and environmental conditions of this country.Sophie Cape, Julia Davis & Lisa Jones in collaboration, Helen Eager, Louise Forthun, Dale Frank, Michael Goss, Gary Gregg, Sean Hogan, Michael Johnson, Kirtika Kain, Donald Laycock, Ian Milliss, Kyle Murrell, NOT, Louise Olsen, Ana Pollak, Jeannette Siebols, Aida Tomescu, Savanhdary Vongpoothorn and Chris WiseCurated by Rhonda Davis and Kon Gouriotis'About the collection at Macquarie University - 'Our collection adorns the entire campus with artwork on display in the library, the faculties, the hospital, the clinics, and the administration buildings, where staff, students and visitors collectively encounter art as part of the everyday life of Macquarie’s expansive campus.The paintings and sculptures add robust vitality, freshness and bursts of colour to the physical environment of the campus − its visual presence is certainly much felt, discussed and enjoyed.' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we chat with the extraordinary Aida Tomescu, one of Australia’s most respected abstract painters. Born in Romania and based in Sydney, Aida has spent her career exploring the emotional and structural possibilities of paint, building a language that’s as physical as it is poetic.We talk about her process: the scraping, layering, and reworking that give her paintings their dense, luminous surfaces. She describes painting as a living conversation, one that demands patience, trust, and deep attention.A major theme in our discussion is the importance of form and the relationships between all the elements within a painting. For Aida, nothing sits in isolation; every shape, colour, and mark holds a relationship to the next. It’s this internal rhythm, this careful balancing of tensions, that gives her work its remarkable sense of harmony and presence. We also spoke with Aida about her teaching career, she taught at National Art School for twenty years, and several of our previous guests have told us what an amazing teacher she was. This conversation is a deep dive into the craft and philosophy of painting — into what it means to spend a lifetime painting. Thanks so much Aida, we loved talking to you. Aida's show opens at Fox Jensen Gallery on 15th November 2025. Aida is represented by Fox Jensen Gallery in Australia , Fox Jensen McCrory in NZ, and Flowers Gallery London and Hong Kong.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailAaron Aryadharma Matheson is an artist living and working at Lennox St Studios, Sydney. He’s been a finalist in the Mosman, Waverley and Waterhouse prizes, and picked up the Richard Ford Travel Award along the way. He studied drawing at the Prince’s Drawing School in London, and later completed a Master of Fine Art at the National Art School in Sydney.This podcast is about art, Buddhism, and living with a chronic illness,multiple sclerosis, and how all those things come together in everyday life. Aaron talks about painting as a way of making sense of things, of finding stillness and meaning through colour, mark and form.  We had such a great chat with Aaron — thanks so much to him for taking the time. Aaron is represented by Liverpool St Gallery.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Art Wank, we focus on Australian artists Michelle Cawthorn and Peter Sharp and their recent creative residency at the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation in Connecticut, USA. Together, they reflect on how this experience produced a new body of work and the opportunity to explore the foundations archives. During her residency at the Albers Foundation, Cawthorn immersed herself in collage of birds and particularly focussed on the work of Anni Albers. Sharp engaged directly with the legacy of Josef Albers, exploring how colour, geometry and perception can reveal new ways of seeing the landscape by painting on Albers book on colour, reinterpreting the pages for himself. Michelle Cawthorn – BioMichelle Cawthorn is a Sydney-based multidisciplinary artist whose practice is rooted in drawing and extends across collage, painting, sculpture and installation. Her work explores memory, identity and belonging through an autobiographical lens, often using repetition, pattern and sensory triggers to evoke fragments of experience.Cawthorn holds undergraduate degrees in Fine Art and Art Education from the University of New South Wales, and completed a PhD in Fine Arts in 2021. She has held numerous solo exhibitions and participated in over sixty group shows across Australia. Her work is represented by OLSEN Gallery, Sydney.Peter Sharp – BioPeter Sharp is an Australian artist whose practice has, for more than three decades, investigated how the natural world can be understood through abstraction. Working across drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture, Sharp captures the structural and rhythmic essence of nature rather than its surface appearance.He holds a Bachelor of Art Education from the City Art Institute (now UNSW Art & Design) and a Master of Fine Arts from UNSW. Sharp has exhibited widely in Australia and internationally.Join us as Michele Cawthorn and Peter Sharp share insights from their transformative experience at the Albers Foundation. Apply for the residency here.Thanks, Peter and Michele, for speaking with us, it was a fascinating insight into your time at the Albers Foundation, and we’re really looking forward to seeing the work that emerges from the experience.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we explore the work and world of Australian artist John R Walker, a painter who invites us to experience the land as a living and layered presence rather than just a view. Born in Sydney in 1957 and now based in Braidwood, New South Wales, Walker’s journey has taken him from city life to a deep engagement with rural environments. His art connects ecology, geology, and memory, revealing what he calls “the experience of being in country.”Walker is known for his large and immersive paintings that map the rhythms and histories of the Australian landscape. His brushwork traces erosion, fire, and growth, capturing both the slow movement of geological time and the immediate sensations of walking through a place. In his Fireground series he responded to the devastation and regeneration of bushfires, showing both the destruction and renewal that shape the land.Over more than thirty years, Walker has exhibited widely in Australia and overseas. His paintings are held in major collections including the National Gallery of Australia. His exhibition Journeys and Return at the Orange Regional Gallery in 2023 and 2024 confirmed his reputation as one of the leading painters of country in Australia.In our conversation we discuss how Walker balances materials and philosophy, how walking shapes his art, and why he believes landscape painting today must also tell ecological stories.John is represented by Utopia Art in Sydney Thanks John Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we speak with Michael Cusack, an accomplished abstract painter, educator, and co-founder of the Byron School of Art in Mullumbimby. Michael’s career has spanned over three decades, with his paintings exhibited widely across Australia and internationally. His work is represented in major public and private collections, and he is known for his richly layered abstractions that explore colour, form, and the tension between control and chance.Michael began teaching at TAFE NSW, where he developed a strong connection to art education and mentoring younger artists. In 2013, alongside fellow artists Emma Walker, James Guppy and Christine Willcocks, Michael co-founded the Byron School of Art. Based in Mullumbimby, the school has grown into a respected independent art institution in the Northern Rivers, offering a range of programs, exhibitions, and a strong sense of creative community outside of the metropolitan art centres.We talk about Michael’s journey from Ireland to Australia, his ongoing fascination with abstraction, and the role of teaching and community-building in sustaining a meaningful artistic practice.Michael is represented in sydney by Olsen Gallery.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Art Wank Podcast we chat with Sydney-based artist Gina Bruce, known for her haunting, dreamlike paintings that play between strength and subtlety. Gina works across a variety of media, often returning to the same places to capture their changing moods and connections to identity. Her works are bold in mark-making yet beautifully delicate in atmosphere, creating that unique balance she’s become recognised for.We talk about her journey into art, including how she came to study at the National Art School and what drew her into painting in the first place. Gina shares insights into her process – starting with sketches and drawings – before approaching the canvas with quick, decisive marks that bring her ideas to life.The conversation also touches on her trip to Broken Hill. Gina talks about returning to favourite spots time and again, how place and memory become entwined, and why those themes continue to fascinate her.She has been selected for the Sulman Prize, the Portia Geach Memorial Award (twice Highly Commended), and the NSW Parliament Plein Air Painting Prize, to winning the Waverley Art Prize with her diptych Dreamhouse 2. Gina is represented by Liverpool St Gallery in Sydney.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailWe spoke with artists Gary Gregg and Gary Deirmendijan, together with curator and director Miguel Olmo, about Repair/Replace, the current exhibition at Gallery Lane Cove. Our conversation touched on the curatorial process, the role of found objects in art, and the unexpected significance they can hold. Gary Gregg shared insights into his collages made from studio detritus, and the ways these works sit alongside his painting practice. We also discussed pieces that Gary Deirmendjian describes as having “nil intent”, unconscious acts that make an artwork, such as a Sydney university noticeboards, layered over decades with thousands of staples and flyers, each mark a trace of countless hands.A huge thank you to Miguel, Gary G, and Gary D for joining us. Don’t miss Repair/Replace at Gallery Lane Cove.Opening tonight Weds 27th August 6-8pm at @gallerylanecove '20 August - 13 SeptemberOpening Event: 27 August 6pm - 8pm Gallery Lane CoveRepair | Replace brings together artists who confront the urgent need to rethink our relationship with the planet, considering the materials we choose, the stories we tell and the structures we sustain. Prompted by the quiet clarity of the pandemic lockdowns, the exhibition begins with a provocation: If we don’t repair our relationship with the planet, we ourselves may be replaced. Spanning painting, sculpture, installation, and object-based practices, the works examine cycles of damage and renewal. Artists in the exhibition approach materials not only for their physical properties, but for their capacity to carry histories, critique dominant structures, and open up new imaginaries of care, continuity, and transformation. ​Some artists engage with salvaged or post-consumer materials, either incorporating them directly or drawing conceptual inspiration from them. Whilst others foreground material culture in narratives that reflect on consumption, memory, and value. The exhibition draws a connection between material and planetary care. It proposes that our relationship to objects, spaces, and stories are intrinsic to how we relate to one another and in extension to the world we share.' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Art Wank Podcast, we sit down with Michael Kempson, one of Australia’s leading master printers. With a career spanning over three decades, Michael has made a profound impact on the field of printmaking through his own practice as well as his work as a mentor, collaborator and educator.Michael is best known as the founder and director of Cicada Press, an educationally focused printmaking workshop based at UNSW Art and Design. Through Cicada Press, he has collaborated with hundreds of artists from Australia and overseas, fostering experimentation and innovation in print. The workshop has become a vital space where emerging and established artists can expand their practices, with Michael guiding technical expertise while encouraging creative risk taking.Alongside this collaborative work, Michael has dedicated much of his career to teaching. He was a senior lecturer at UNSW and has mentored countless students, many of whom have gone on to develop successful artistic practices of their own. His approach emphasises the importance of both technical mastery and the spirit of collaboration, showing how printmaking can open up new conversations across disciplines and cultures.Beyond his role as a master printer and teacher, Michael maintains a personal art practice that reflects his own visual language and concerns. His prints often draw on social and political themes, expressed through a refined and graphic sensibility. This balance between nurturing the artistic visions of others and pursuing his own practice marks Michael as a unique and influential figure in the contemporary art world.In our conversation, Michael shares insights into the collaborative process and reflections on what it means to dedicate a life to teaching, printing and making art. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Art Wank Podcast, we talk with acclaimed Australian artist Ana Pollak, whose practice is shaped by the natural beauty and quiet rhythms of Dangar Island, her home on the Hawkesbury River. Ana’s work evokes a strong sense of place, combining close observation with an intimate emotional connection to her surroundings. Her drawings and paintings capture shifting light on water, the textures of flora and foliage, and the subtle human gestures that weave themselves into the landscape. We explore Ana’s creative journey, tracing her path from early influences to the development of her distinctive style, one that combines expressive mark-making with a keen awareness of environmental and social themes. The conversation also touches on her animation projects, which incorporate water and raindrops, and are further inspired by music. We also explore Ana’s involvement in Six Artists Seven Days On at Defiance Gallery, where she joined five other artists for an intensive week of creation. She reflects on the collaborative energy, the challenges of producing work in such a short timeframe, and how the process influenced the direction of her art. The exhibition is on view until 23 August 2025.The project began in July 2024, when six artists embarked on what they described as a life-defining experience. The invited residency artists—Sophie Cape, Nicolette Eisdell, Pamela Honeyfield, Michelle Hungerford, Charmaine Pike, and Ana Pollak—were accompanied by filmmakers Kathryn Milliss ACS and Anna Howard ACS, along with arts writer John McDonald. This exhibition is the culmination of that residency, marking the final expedition in a ten-year initiative to connect artists with country and foster environmental awareness in a unique and powerful way.Over the past twelve years, with the support of the Ferris Family Foundation, Defiance Gallery has coordinated four residencies, raising an extraordinary $750,000 through exhibition sales. With this fifth and final exhibition, the goal is to reach a total of $1,000,000 in donations to support the vital conservation work of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.This conversation offers a glimpse into Ana Pollak’s practice, her connection to place, and her ongoing fascination with her environment. Ana’s work invites us to pause and notice the beauty in the moments that surround us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Art Wank Podcast, we celebrate the creative brilliance of the 2025 Northern Beaches Environmental Art and Design Prize winners. We speak with Renjie Teoh, this year’s Design Prize recipient, whose collaboration with artist Gary Carsley offers a fresh and thought‑provoking take on contemporary design. Although Gary was unable to join us for the recording, his influence and creative partnership with Renjie remain central to their award‑winning project. We’re also joined by Joanne Odisho, the overall Design Prize winner, whose work impressed with its innovation, craftsmanship and commitment to sustainability. Completing the line‑up is Shona Wilson, an artist who has claimed the People’s Choice Award for both 2023 and 2024. Shona reflects on her enduring engagement with nature, sharing insights into her deep connection with the environment, whether rooted in her local surroundings or explored through residencies overseas.We delve into their award‑winning pieces and take a peek into their creative worlds: from crafting an eggshell lamp, to collecting delicate insect wings, to producing thousands of photocopied prints and transforming them into a vast, immersive installation. Together, these artists embody the ethos of the prize -sustainability, materiality and a profound respect for the environment.https://www.thearthitects.org/about - Renjie and Gary's collaborative workhttps://www.joanneodisho.com/https://www.shonawilson.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Art Wank, we sit down with one of Australia’s most respected – and at times divisive – voices in the art world, John McDonald. Known for his decades-long career as an art critic and columnist, John brings sharp insight, dry humour, and a deep knowledge of art history to the conversation.We discuss the role and relevance of art prizes in today’s cultural landscape, including whether they truly reflect quality or simply reinforce trends and institutional biases. John shares his candid thoughts on the Archibald Prize, among others, and questions the criteria by which we measure artistic merit in competitive formats.Our chat turns to the shifting state of the Powerhouse Museum and the controversial changes that have sparked public outcry. John offers a well-informed perspective on how institutions like the Powerhouse serve (or fail to serve) their communities, and what’s at stake when decisions are made without proper consultation.We also touch on public art and the recent Lindy Lee sculpture installed at the National Gallery of Australia. While acknowledging her important place in Australian art, John questions the processes behind major commissions and whether spectacle sometimes overshadows substance in large-scale public works.This episode is a lively, thought-provoking conversation about the state of the Australian art world — its politics, pitfalls, and potential — from someone who’s spent a lifetime analysing it. Whether you agree or disagree with his views, John McDonald is never boring, and his insights are well worth a listen. If you'd like to read more of John McDonald’s writing, subscribe to his Substack, Everything the Art World Doesn’t Want You to Know.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Art Wank podcast, we speak with Australian artist James Drinkwater, known for his vibrant paintings, sculpture, poetry, and music. Drinkwater, originally from Newcastle, NSW, has built a reputation for his layered, gestural works and multidisciplinary practice. He won the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship in 2014, which allowed him to work in Paris, and he has been a finalist in the Wynne and Dobell Drawing Prizes multiple times. Our conversation explores his deep connection to place, his creative experiments with dance and theatre, and the impact of his time in New York with Julian Schnabel.A significant part of our discussion centres on Drinkwater’s collaboration with MIMA Lake Macquarie in 2019, where he was commissioned to create the sets and costumes for a contemporary ballet titled Storm Approaching Wangi – and Other Desires. The ballet was inspired by the watery landscapes around Lake Macquarie and the Australian modernist painter William Dobell. Drinkwater didn't just design the visuals; he also performed on stage, collaborating with choreographers Skip Willcox and Belle Beasley, and composer Joseph Franklin. This project was an opportunity for Drinkwater to translate his painterly language—texture, gesture, and colour—into a dynamic, physical space, extending his creative practice beyond the canvas. He reflects on how the experience allowed him to think about movement and space differently, enriching his approach to making art.We also delve into Drinkwater's time in New York, particularly his 2022–2023 residency at Julian Schnabel’s property on Long Island. Schnabel, famous for his plate paintings and maximalist style, invited Drinkwater to work in his studio space. This intense, seven-week period inspired Drinkwater’s exhibition American Salt – Montauk to the Bowery, which explored themes of memory, landscape, and artistic legacy. Drinkwater drew parallels between his own experiences in New York and those of Dobell, who had also found creative energy in the city. Although Dobell’s time there was fleeting, Drinkwater sees the connection in the way both artists absorbed and transformed their environments into their art.Finally, Drinkwater shares his reflections on the interplay between disciplines in his practice, including a mid-career survey exhibition in Canberra. He speaks passionately about the importance of collaboration, travel, and memory in shaping his work. The episode closes with thoughts on how these experiences continue to push the boundaries of his artmaking, both in Australia and internationally.James currently has an exhibition at Newcastle Straightjacket Art Space with Braddon Snape - 19th July - 10th August.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailAnn Cape is a celebrated Australian artist whose career spans over four decades, marked by her evocative portraiture, sensitive explorations of memory, and enduring commitment to arts education. Based in Sydney, Cape has established herself as a leading figure in figurative painting, known for her ability to capture not only the physical likeness of her subjects but also a deep psychological presence. Her practice includes painting, drawing, and sculpture, often centered on themes of identity, personal history, and human connection.Cape studied at the National Art School in Sydney, as well as overseas in London. Her influence extends well beyond her studio, through her teaching, mentorship, and role as a judge in various art awards.Her portraits have been finalists in numerous national prizes, including the Archibald, the Portia Geach, the Doug Moran, and the Mosman Art Prize. Cape’s work is held in public, private, and corporate collections across Australia, and she has exhibited widely both in solo and group shows.A standout in her recent work is An Unending Shadow, a deeply personal exhibition created in collaboration with her daughter, artist Sophie Cape. This show dealt with their family’s experience of dementia, merging generations of artistic inquiry to produce a raw and moving body of work.Cape’s thoughtful, human-centered approach to portraiture makes her an ideal guest for the Art Wank Podcast. In this episode, we discuss her life in art, her process in the studio, her thoughts on the evolving role of portraiture in Australia, and her current exhibition, A Painter’s Painter, curated by Ann herself, is on show at Mosman Art Gallery until August. The exhibition features portraits of Ann’s artist friends alongside their own artworks, offering a unique and intimate perspective on their creative lives and personal connections. Thanks for talking to us, Ann.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we’re joined by two key figures from Studio A—CEO Gab Mordy and artist Thom Roberts—for a lively chat about carving out space for neurodiverse artists in the contemporary art world.Thom shares insights into his recent solo exhibition in Canberra at the National Portrait Gallery, 'The Immersive World of Thom Roberts', reflecting on the ideas behind the work, how it came together, and what it’s like to see your art out in the world. We also talk about his journey through his twenties, and how his relationship with Studio A has helped shape his creative practice, offering both a space and a platform to grow as an artist.Gab takes us back to the origins of Studio A, revealing how the organisation came to be and the challenges and breakthroughs along the way. She also talks about her recent research trip overseas, where she explored other supported studio models across Europe and North America.This is a conversation about the power of supported studios, the value of long-term creative relationships, and what happens when artists are given the freedom and resources to thrive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailKatherine Edney is a Sydney-based artist whose evocative oil paintings delve into themes of identity, memory, and emotional transformation. Born in 1983, she holds a Master of Fine Arts by Research in Painting from UNSW’s College of Fine Arts (2008), as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts with First Class Honours (2004).Edney’s work has received wide recognition in major Australian art prizes. She was a finalist in the prestigious Archibald Prize in both 2019 and 2020. Her 2019 entry, Self-portrait with Ariel, captured a poignant and deeply personal moment during late pregnancy, highlighting her ongoing interest in the strength and vulnerability of the female body during periods of transformation. Other accolades include multiple selections for the Salon des Refusés (2021–2024), the Portia Geach Memorial Award, Ravenswood Women’s Art Prize, and the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship.Her recent solo exhibition, I want to lie in the clouds with you, held at Curl Curl Creative Space, explored mental health and emotional landscapes. Through dreamlike compositions and layered textures, Edney invites the viewer into a contemplative space of calm and introspection. Katherine Edney Her portfolio spans portraiture, still life, and landscape. Notable works include David, Teena, and the black dog (Archibald finalist, 2020) and Ariel as a Green Cat (finalist, 2024 National Emerging Art Prize). Edney’s paintings often blend realism with symbolism, creating narratives that resonate on both personal and universal levels.Alongside her painting practice, Edney is committed to arts education and runs classes for children on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Her work continues to evolve, underpinned by a strong dedication to storytelling and emotional nuance.Discover more at katherineedney.com.Thanks Katherine, we really appreciate your time! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Art Wank, we dive into the dynamic and prolific career of Australian artist Ann Thomson, whose expressive, abstract works have made her a vital force in Australian contemporary art for over five decades. Born in 1933 in Brisbane and trained at the National Art School in Sydney, Thomson’s practice has always defied easy categorisation. Her paintings and sculptures are known for their vibrant energy, lyrical abstraction, and a deep, intuitive connection to material and process.We explore Thomson’s early influences, including her time in Europe during the 1960s, and how her work evolved through an engagement with both landscape and gesture. Her ability to balance spontaneity with formal rigour creates works that feel both immediate and timeless. Whether working in paint, paper, or three-dimensional forms, Thomson consistently brings a bold sense of freedom and exploration to her practice.Over the years, Ann has been the recipient of numerous accolades, including the prestigious Wynne Prize for landscape painting. She has exhibited extensively across Australia and internationally, and her work is held in major public and private collections.In our conversation, we reflect on her fearless approach to art-making, her thoughts on abstraction, and her commitment to making work that resists constraints and expectations. Ann Thomson’s career is a testament to the power of following intuition and embracing the unknown.We really appreciate your time, thanks Ann.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we delve into the practice of Sydney-based artist Kyle Murrell, whose abstract works explore the tension between structure and meaning. A 2013 Honours graduate of the National Art School, Murrell has garnered accolades including the John Olsen Prize for Figure Drawing and the Elioth Gruner Prize for Landscape Painting . His process is rooted in drawing, serving as both exploration and regeneration, leading to paintings that deconstruct and obscure subjects through layered mark-making .Murrell's commitment to abstraction earned him the 2019 Defiance Award, granting a residency with the Nock Art Foundation in New Zealand . Represented by Defiance Gallery, his recent exhibitions include New Paintings and the upcoming Always At Every Moment (31 May – 21 June 2025) . Join us as we discuss his evolving practice, the role of repetition, and how drawing sustains his creative journey.Thanks Kyle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Art Wank, we speak with Teresa Biet, founder (alongside her husband Andre) and director of Art Incubator – a philanthropic initiative that champions emerging Australian artists through financial support, mentorship, and increased visibility. Teresa shares her deep passion for the arts and her belief in their power to inspire change and foster community. We discuss the origins of Art Incubator, the challenges of sustaining independent arts initiatives, and what draws her to support particular artists. Teresa also reflects on the shifting landscape of contemporary art in Australia and the importance of backing new and diverse voices. Whether you're an artist, curator, or simply an art lover, this episode offers a fascinating look at how individual vision and private support can help shape the future of the visual arts.https://artincubator.com.auTen Fold: A decade of Emerging Art Incubator Artists is on now at Manly Art Gallery and Museum until June 1st 2025Thanks Teresa for your insightful and passionate conversation.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailLottie Consalvo is a deeply intuitive and reflective artist whose recent body of work has been profoundly shaped by time spent meditating and working in the Australian bush. Her latest exhibition, Long Dawn, recently shown at her Sydney gallery Nanda Hobbs, reveals the contemplative power of being immersed in nature — where solitude, stillness, and the landscape become integral to her process.In this episode, we speak with Lottie about the evolution of her multidisciplinary practice, which spans painting, sculpture, and video performance. We discuss how her work continues to expand in scale and emotional depth, and how presence, slowness, and imagination are vital tools in her creative life.'How can we see beyond what is visible? To grasp at something intangible, knowing that it exists somewhere on the periphery, but is never fully within reach? Lottie Consalvo doesn’t ask us these questions, she dwells in them—urging us to loosen our grip on certainty and open ourselves to the limitless possibilities that exist beyond our definition of reality.' - Nanda HobbsThanks for talking to us Lottie.Please subscribe to our podcast and follow us on Instagram.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Art Wank, we delve into the world of Australian landscape painter David Collins, whose latest solo exhibition, Brevity, is currently on view at Defiance Gallery in Sydney from May 3 to 24, 2025 .Collins has been a significant figure in the Australian art scene since the early 1990s . Residing on Dangar Island in the Hawkesbury River since 1987, his daily interactions with the river—often by rowboat—deeply inform his artistic practice . His works are known for their meditative quality, blending abstraction with a profound sense of place.Brevity continues this exploration, offering a series of paintings that reflect Collins' intimate connection with the Australian landscape. The exhibition showcases his ability to distill vast natural scenes into compositions that are both evocative and restrained.Throughout his career, Collins has participated in numerous residencies, including the Australian Wildlife Conservancy Residency in Queensland and the Nock Art Foundation Residency in New Zealand . His work has been recognised in prestigious awards such as the Wynne Prize and the Salon des Refusés.In our conversation, Collins discusses his artistic journey, the influence of his surroundings, and the themes present in Brevity. He shares insights into his process and the philosophies that underpin his work.Join us as we explore the nuanced landscapes of David Collins and gain a deeper understanding of his contribution to contemporary Australian art.Brevity is on display at Defiance Gallery, 12 Mary Place, Paddington, NSW, until May 24, 2025. For more information, visit defiancegallery.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Art Wank, we sit down with Sydney-based artist Matt Bromhead to dive into his multidisciplinary practice, which spans drawing, sculpture, and painting. Known for his expressive use of materials and intuitive mark-making, Matt shares insights into his creative process, his influences, and how his work explores form, space, and texture.We chat about: 🎨 His journey as an artist and how he developed his distinctive aesthetic. 🪵 The relationship between his sculptural and two-dimensional works. ✍️ How drawing remains a fundamental part of his practice. 🔨 His approach to materials—why he chooses certain textures, forms, and processes. 🏡 The role of environment and studio space in shaping his work. 🎭 The influence of history, mythology, and personal narratives in his practice.Matt’s work often blurs the boundaries between sculpture and drawing, with a deep consideration for how form interacts with space. He speaks candidly about the challenges of maintaining an art practice, navigating the art world, and staying connected to the creative impulse.📸 Instagram: @mattbromhead 🌐 Website: www.mattbromhead.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailArt Wank Podcast – Oliver Abbott Welcome back to Art Wank! In this episode, we chat with Sydney-based artist Oliver Abbott, whose latest exhibition, Mine, is currently showing at Dominik Mersch Gallery.Oliver’s practice explores memory and its distortions, using digital world-building tools to reconstruct remembered spaces. His background in filmmaking, animation, and architecture feeds into his work, blending virtual environments with painting to create speculative spaces that sit between reality and imagination.We discuss: 🎨 How Oliver’s memories of lived spaces inform his work 🖥️ The role of digital tools in his creative process 🏛️ His transition from filmmaking to painting 🖼️ The themes behind his Mine exhibition 👀 What’s next for his practiceOliver’s work is a fascinating exploration of how we remember and reimagine spaces, and we loved hearing about his unique process.Where to find Oliver’s work: 👉 Dominik Mersch Gallery 👉 Oliver’s website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailJanis Clarke's exhibition at Olsen Gallery, The Other Sun, opens March 5th - 29th March 2025. Janis Clarke, born in 1983 in Sydney, Australia, is a distinguished contemporary artist renowned for his evocative oil paintings that delve into the nuances of perception and memory. His academic journey in the arts commenced with an Advanced Diploma of Performance Art from JMC Academy in 2003. He further honed his craft at the National Art School in Darlinghurst, NSW, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts between 2013 and 2015, followed by a Master of Fine Arts from 2016 to 2017 under the mentorship of Dr. Andrew Donaldson.Clarke's work is characterised by tightly composed scenes that capture fleeting moments and introspective reflections. His paintings often present minimalist landscapes and interiors, prompting viewers to engage deeply with the act of observation. Working predominantly at night, Clarke translates his personal experiences and memories into visual narratives, emphasising the stillness and introspection inherent in nocturnal settings.His solo exhibitions have been met with critical acclaim. Notably, in 2023, he presented Living a Life That's Perfectly Still at the Olsen Annexe in Sydney. This exhibition featured works like Full Moon and House, Blue House, and Window and Pink Lampshade, which encapsulate his exploration of light, shadow, and the subtleties of everyday scenes. The exhibition invited viewers to contemplate the act of seeing, not through detailed realism but through the lived experience of looking.Clarke's artistic excellence has been recogniSed through his participation in numerous group exhibitions and art prizes. He was a finalist in the prestigious Archibald Prize in 2024, showcasing his portrait Beckah in the Studio, which depicted musician Beckah Amani. The portrait captured Amani's strength and resilience, reflecting Clarke's ability to convey complex emotions through minimalist compositions. Additionally, Clarke has been a finalist in other esteemed competitions, including the Mosman Art Prize and the Paddington Art Prize, underscoring his significant presence in the Australian art scene.His works are part of notable collections, such as the Zimmermann Permanent Collection, the Macquarie Group Permanent Collection, and the National Art School Permanent Collection in Sydney.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Art Wank, we chat with George Hartley, co-founder of Bluethumb, Australia's largest online art marketplace. George shares insights into the business side of art, the evolution of Bluethumb, and how artists can leverage online platforms to build their careers. From navigating the digital art world to understanding collector trends, this episode is packed with valuable advice for artists at all stages of their careers.'We represent over 30,000 emerging and established artists from Australia and work with 20 of Australia's most remote Aboriginal Art Centres to give you access to more Australian artists and their art than anywhere else in the world.We have sold over 110,000 original Australian artworks to everyone; from first time art buyers to established collectors and Australia's finest architecture firms.But this is just the first chapter in our story.'Thanks George! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailSteve Lopes “I try to deal with the figure and the landscape together. For me, it’s about the relationship we have with our surrounds. The tensionbetween the two both visually and metaphorically is what makes itinteresting to tackle as a subject.”   Steve Lopes Born in Sydney, Lopes trained in both Australia and the UK, refining a unique visual language that blends elements of traditional landscape painting with an expressive, contemporary edge. His work is often informed by extensive field studies and travel, particularly to remote locations. He sketches and paints en plein air, later developing large-scale studio works that evoke memory, movement, and human connection to the land.Lopes’ compositions have a cinematic quality—his figures, often rendered in thick, impasto brushstrokes, appear caught in fleeting, introspective moments. His work is deeply influenced by history, migration, and the changing nature of identity, making his paintings both personal and universally resonant.A highly regarded artist, Lopes has exhibited widely in Australia and internationally. His work is held in major public and private collections, and he has been a finalist in prestigious art prizes, including the Archibald and Wynne Prizes.Join us as we discuss Lopes’ artistic journey, his approach to storytelling through paint, and the influences that have shaped his dynamic practice.Thanks for talking to us, Steve.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailWe interviewed artist Justin Williams at COMA Gallery in Marrickville, Sydney, during his solo show, Waiting for Lavender, on until 22nd February 2025.Justin lives and works in Santa Fe, New Mexico, splitting his time between there and a studio in Paris. We had a great conversation about his journey as an artist, including his early years working in New York. His work is narrative-driven, deeply personal, and rooted in family histories, with multiple stories overlapping within a single painting. He employs a belt sander to disrupt the surface after painting, allowing him to push and pull layers, creating unexpected textures and depth.Thanks for talking to us, Justin, we look forward to watching your career flourish.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailMyfanwy Gullifer is represented by King Street Gallery in Sydney. We had a great time chatting with Myf over Zoom before Christmas while she was at her farm in Walcha, NSW. We discussed her ceramic art practice, the challenges of being an artist, balancing life between the farm and the city, and much more.Thanks Myf. Her show will be later in 2025 at King St. Gallery. 'Myfanwy Gullifer graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne.Myfanwy’s upcoming 2025 solo exhibition at King Street Gallery on William will showcase a new series of porcelain works. Please register your interest at [email protected] for a preview.Her work has been exhibited at the Melbourne Art Fair, the Korean International Art Fair and various regional gallery shows such as Interconnected at New England Regional Art Museum, 2022; Paint my place at Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, 2016; and In [two] Art at Maitland Regional Gallery, 2012, which toured across New South Wales.In 2019, Myfanwy was a finalist in Still: National Still Life Award at Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, and in 2016, the same gallery awarded her the Artist in Residence at Moonee Beach.Her work can be found in various public and private collections from across Australia, such as the New England Regional Art Gallery, Tamworth Regional Gallery, the Laverty Collection and the Open-Air Gallery, Walcha, where she lives and works. Notably, in 2010, Newcastle Art Gallery acquired two of her sculptures on behalf of the Les Renfrew Bequest, which were subsequently exhibited in Clash: Contemporary Sculptural Ceramics at Newcastle Art Gallery.King Street Gallery has represented Myfanwy since 2012.' King Street Gallery Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailBefore Christmas 2024, we had the pleasure of speaking with Nick Smith at his N.Smith Gallery, located at 15 Foster St, Surry Hills, Sydney. Nick is an engaging conversationalist and clearly passionate about his work. He established the gallery in 2021, and it has since grown into one of Sydney's most respected and celebrated art spaces. During our chat, Nick shared his journey in the art world, which began with a role at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., followed by experience working in contemporary galleries before finally opening his own. It's been an incredible and ongoing adventure! 'N.Smith Gallery is a contemporary art gallery located in Sydney, Australia, that currently represents more than 20 artists and collectives, offering curatorial, collection, and management service advice to museums, corporate, foundations and private clients.The gallery has been home to culturally-significant exhibitions across a variety of media and genres, and has facilitated and participated in projects across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, India, Germany, France, UK, and the USA.In 2021, N.Smith opened the eponymous gallery on Napier Street, Paddington in a former church community hall. In 2024, during the opening week of the Biennale of Sydney, Smith relocated the gallery from Paddington to the vibrant Surry Hills, expanding the gallery’s footprint and ambition.Dedicated to living artists, the gallery has and is fostering the careers of some of the most influential artists working today, and plans to maintain long-term representation of the artists we work with.Supporting culture is at the heart of what we do. Beyond the walls of the gallery we support various arts organisations to achieve their mission, including visual arts, music, theatre,  film, and publishing. N.Smith Gallery is a proud member of the Indigenous Art Code of Conduct.'N.Smith Gallery  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailGary discovered the Alveston Gallery in Notting Hill, London, during his travels and was drawn to the work of Teddy Hansen, who was exhibiting at the time. After a conversation with Fergus Downey, the gallery owner, Gary arranged a Zoom meeting with Teddy to learn more about his practice.We’re releasing this podcast just ahead of the London Art Fair, where the Alveston Gallery will be showcasing Teddy’s work.In our conversation, Teddy shared insights into the influence of Danish culture on his art, his experiences as a young artist in London, and his exciting plans for the future.'Teddy Hansen’s comically surreal wall-hangings celebrate the power of escapist art. Inspiring laughter and perplexity, he infuses natural imagery with absurd narrative to convey a wild sense of humour and a rampant obsession with frogs.Having studied at Falmouth and Leeds University, Hansen began his artistic journey with painting and embroidery before developing into the realm of rug-tufting. During the creation process, each piece follows a dream-like narrative which becomes increasingly complex as the work unfolds. Ultimately, it is this sense of unpredictability that fuels Hansen’s vision, culminating in an immersive and arresting aesthetic.Above all, Hansen strives to emphasise the importance of humour and experimentation by encouraging audiences to take his rugs at face value. Instead of inspiring any kind of hidden notions, they are designed with the sole purpose of evoking joyful escapism.' - Alveston GalleryThanks for the chat, Teddy! We wish you all the best in your future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailNasim Nasr is an Iranian-born Australian artist whose work focuses on the issues facing her home country of Iran and the challenges she has experienced as a woman and female artist. These circumstances ultimately led her to leave Iran at the age of 25. Nasim relocated to Australia with her younger siblings, where she has built a life for herself and her family while establishing herself as a prominent artist.Working across photography, installation, and performance, Nasim has gained significant recognition, with her works recently acquired by the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney. We had the pleasure of speaking with Nasim about her life journey and her beautiful, thought-provoking art. Enjoy listening to her story, and feel free to reach out to Nasim to see her work or for a studio visit. 'Biography:Born in Tehran, Iran 1984Moved to Adelaide, Australia 2009,  Currently lives and works in SydneySince graduating with a Master Visual Arts (Research), University South Australia, 2011, Nasim Nasr’s art practice has sought to comment upon the transience of cultural identities. With an interest in cultural relationships in contemporary society, her artworks have engaged themes of intercultural dialogue and perspective between the historical and contemporary. Using video, photography, performance,  3D objects and sound, these works highlight notions of cultural difference as experienced in her past and present homelands, between West and East and seeks to create a harmony between the two.Nasim Nasr is a third time finalist at Fisher’s Ghost Art Award and will exhibit at Campbelltown Art Centre Oct-Dec 2024 with her new light box; Impulse 2024, In March 2024 Nasr won AUSTRALIAN CONTEMPORARY ARTIST OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD from the Art’s Minister Tony Burke and Shadow Art Minister Paul Fletcher at the Paliment House, Canberra. Nasr's latest video work ‘Impulse’ was presented at the 2023 Adelaide Independent Film Festival where it won the best Micro Short Film Award, and was in the official selection at the 2023 A Shaded View on Fashion Film Festival Awards in Paris. In 2017 Nasr won People’s Choice Award in The William and Winifred Bowness Photography Art Prize, Monash Art Gallery Melbourne, and her Women in Shadow II video documentation won an award at the 10th Anniversary Edition, A Shaded View on Fashion Film, Maison Jean Paul Gaultier and Club De L’Etoile, Paris, France in 2018. Nasr exhibited in the inaugural Triennial of Asia: We Do Not Dream Alone, Asia Society Museum in New York, October 2020–June 2021, her latest solo presentation Impulse at Mars Gallery, Melbourne March-April 2023. She exhibited at Photo London, Somerset House, London in May 2023. Nasr’s latest photograph Impulse (2023) was reproduced on the front cover of ART COLLECTOR magazine in Australia, issue 104 included 8pp profile story on her practice.' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailGary first met Wayne and Marina through artist and previous podcast guest Tony Mighell. We spoke to them over zoom a few weeks ago from their home in Melbourne. Thanks for speaking to us about your artwork and time in the art centres near Alice Springs. Wayne Eager is represented by Australian Galleries - 'Wayne Eager is a gestural artist, absorbed with form, colour and texture. His method is based on the accretion of subsequent layers from which his paintings find their form. He was a founding member of the dynamic artist-run-exhibiting space, Roar Studios, in Fitzroy, Melbourne, the first such venture in Australia. His early works were exhibited there in 1982.Eager has spent much of his career living and working in the remote Central Australian Desert. His experience of the light and unique features of the Northern Territory landscape have been the fundamental foundation to his oeuvre over the last 30 years.In 2021, Eager relocated back to semi-rural life in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. In the same year, the artist was honored by a 30-year survey exhibition, ‘Bitumen and Dirt’, which opened at the Charles Darwin University Gallery, Darwin, and then travelled to the Araluen Art Centre in Alice Springs.'Marina Strocchi is also represented by Australian Galleries - 'In 2021 Marina Strocchi returned to her home town Melbourne after a twenty-nine year sojourn in the Northern Territory. Strocchi was closely involved in supporting the development of a number of First Nations artists, initially through establishing the Ikuntji Art Centre in 1992 and then working with the Kintore women to catalyse their painting which led to a vigorous output through Papunya Tula. During these decades she developed her painting responses to the remote landscapes and narratives that are unique to the Central Desert. Strocchi has held over forty solo exhibitions including a Northern Territory touring survey exhibition with an accompanying catalogue. Awarded an ARTS NT Fellowship in 2019 Strocchi had a three month residency in New York City. Now settled in the Yarra Valley Strocchi is responding to memories of that experience and absorbing her new environment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailThank you to Max and Gabby Germanos, art collectors and founders of 333 Art Projects, for welcoming us into your home to view your incredible collection and share insights about art collecting. From their first purchase to navigating the journey of collecting as a couple and curating a collection suited to a family, Max and Gabby offered a fascinating perspective. They discussed the thought process behind choosing which artworks to acquire, how collecting has shaped their family dynamic, and their deep commitment to certain artists—owning over 50 paintings by Maclean Edwards, for instance. 3:33 ART PROJECTS IS A LEADING & INNOVATIVE CORPORATE CURATORIAL DEVELOPER AND FACILITATOR '3:33 Art Projects delivers unique visual arts programs for leading visual artists in Australia. Our purpose is to introduce the visual arts to new audiences, allowing artists to share their stories to encourage audiences to open their minds to the magic of art and explore creativity in their day-to-day.3:33 Art Projects has curated shows for some of Australia's most celebrated artists including: John Olsen, Chris O’Doherty (aka Reg Mombassa), Ken Done, David Griggs, Gary Heery, Ann Thomson, Lottie Consalvo, Ken Whisson, Joanna Braithwaite, Euan MacLeod, Noel McKenna, Neil Frazer, Lucy Culliton, Alan Jones, Ben Quilty, McLean Edwards, Guy Maestri, Dale Frank, Tim Maguire, Jasper Knight, Joan Ross, Wendy Sharpe and Clara Adolphs.  Clients include Bank of America, Clayton Utz, Aon, Herbert Smith Freehills and Commonwealth Bank Private.We have also created the 3:33 Art Projects Young Curators program, working with artists and secondary students to host exhibitions at their school - teaching future generations about  creative processes.' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailToday's podcast features James Winter, the visionary co-founder and director of Brand X, which has been creating affordable spaces for artists since 2005. With a background in dramatic and performing arts, James recognized a need for reliable, affordable rehearsal and creative spaces, leading him to establish Brand X over 20 years ago. We spoke with James about the changing face of Sydney and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on artists. He shared why he founded Brand X, how it operates, and his concerns about the lack of diverse arts programming in the city. James highlighted how this gap could lead to fewer opportunities for unique, high-quality art to be created and showcased in Sydney, ultimately affecting the city’s cultural landscape. Brand X now manages the City of Sydney Creative Studios, offering a wide range of subsidised spaces for musicians, dancers, actors, and artists, available for both short-term and long-term hire in the heart of Sydney. Each year, Brand X also organizes Petite Suite, a performance residency set in a hotel. Fiona and I attended this year, and it was an incredible experience!Currently running is The Flying Nun, another Brand X initiative, which we highly recommend. For just $25, you can see these unique performances. The Flying Nun provides performing arts residencies where each project receives $2,600, a week in the venue, and a two-night performance run, keeping the majority of box office revenue. Grab your tickets here! Brand x - We re-purpose empty properties so performing, recording and visual artists can practice their craft.'We do this by working with Property Developers, Landlords and Local Governments to transform empty spaces into cultural places that allow artists to contribute, flourish and be sustainable in the community. We are driven by the belief that artists, when given appropriate space, inspire a renewed sense of belonging, harmony and pride of place for the entire community.Brand X provides subsidised workspace and creative development programs alongside facilities for hire where artists can traverse the entire creative process from development to presentation. We maintain a charter that is relevant and responsive to the Independent Arts sector dealing specifically with arts-practice sustainability, skills development and capacity building.Our objective is to afford artists the opportunity to take risks, innovate and to create work. This is achieved by offering artists affordable rates for hire, residencies and opportunities for income-generation through our activation projects. By providing Independent Artists with support while reinvigorating local communities we stimulate a vibrant cultural life for Sydney.' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.