NEWS
At the sneak peak of Spring1883 at Melbourne’s Windsor Hotel, one gallerist declared the event “the art fair that artists love”. Rather than meaning something insular, they meant the spirit of fun and community when around 30 of Australia’s top commercial galleries (and a couple from New Zealand), situate artwork within the old grandeur of the Windsor Hotel rooms. Art Guide editors Tiarney Miekus and Sally Gearon have curated their top picks: Nicholas Thompson Gallery: The Circle Room A few galleries at Spring have a glamorous circular lounge area, and Nicholas Thompson Gallery makes impressive use of the space, housing…
RHYS LEE “PAINT KNOWS…” Words SAŠA BOGOJEV Rhys Lee is a visual artist living and working in Aireys Inlet, Victoria, known for melding ethereal forms with a playful touch of street art—fusing representation and abstraction—through lively oil and acrylic colour palettes. In the wake of several upcoming intercontinental exhibitions—showing in galleries across Athens, London, Melbourne and Brussels—Saša Bogojev caught up with Lee to discuss their street art origins, tackling new mediums, practicing self-honesty, and the necessity of the “artist’s ego”. SAŠA BOGOJEV How did your journey toward becoming an artist unfold? RHYS LEE It was something I’ve always done as far as I…
“It is this feeling of the familiar that pervades Archer’s work and lends the whole a sense of the uncanny, with insects, decayed bird corpses (showing the fragility of a wing) and the human/inhuman aspect of the masks. That said, her work is joyful and exuberantly rich with humanity.”
SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL LIST
Martin George is a finalist in the 2024 Bayside Painting Prize . Established in 2015, the Bayside Painting Prize is one of the most generous non-acquisitive painting prizes in the country. The finalist exhibition brings together a broad range of artists, both established and lesser known, whose varied approaches to the painted medium conveys the breadth and diversity of painting in Australia today. . Image: Martin George 𝙑𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 2024 acrylic on linen 76 x 101.5cm Photo Photographic Record, Melbourne
Sally Anderson is a finalist in the 2024 Bayside Painting Prize . Established in 2015, the Bayside Painting Prize is one of the most generous non-acquisitive painting prizes in the country. The finalist exhibition brings together a broad range of artists, both established and lesser known, whose varied approaches to the painted medium conveys the breadth and diversity of painting in Australia today. . Image: Sally Anderson 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖 𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨𝙞𝙖, 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙡 𝙑𝙚𝙞𝙡 𝙁𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙖 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙚, 𝙋𝘽 𝙣𝙪𝙙𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙩𝙝 2024 acrylic on polycotton 168 x 137cm
Artist Tai Snaith Paints From A Beautiful ‘Haunted’ House In Fitzroy North Since Melbourne-based artist Tai Snaith started her art studies back in the early 2000s, she’s exhibited paintings, collage, ceramic sculptures and public art. But for her upcoming exhibition, Tai has turned her full attention to painting and ‘a fortuitous happy accident’ led her to an abandoned Victorian worker’s cottage that’s become her new art studio. Tai says it’s equal parts grimy, decrepit, and enchanting, complete with a haunting energy she’s channelled into her emotive paintings. Step inside! Written by Christina Karras Photography by Amelia Stanwix Melbourne-based artist Tai Snaith…
James Drinkwater in conversation with Alison Kubler Melbourne Art Fair, VAULT stand Sunday 25 February, 12pm Alison Kubler Today we’re going to talk a little bit about painting and what James has been up to, and the new monograph I love you more than paintings 2008 – 2024 with has been launched at the Melbourne Art Fair by Nicholas Thompson Gallery. James how about you start by telling us, because you’ve been overseas, where have you been and how has that influenced your recent work? James Drinkwater Yes, it seems like we’re doing a lot of travel at the moment.…
Nicole Kelly is a finalist in the 2024 Muswellbrook Art Prize with her work ‘Solastalgia’ . Established in 1958, the Muswellbrook Art Prize is one of the most celebrated prizes for painting in regional Australia. Astute adjudication of the Prize over the years has yielded an excellent collection of modern and contemporary Australian paintings, works on paper and ceramics from the Post War period of the 20th Century and into the 21st Century, with the winning acquisitive works forming the nucleus of what is now known as the Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection. . Image Nicole Kelly Solastalgia 2023 ceramic, terra…
Eleanor Louise Butt is a finalist in the 2024 Muswellbrook Art Prize with her painting ‘Yellow and Brown Energetic Abstraction’. . Established in 1958, the Muswellbrook Art Prize is one of the most celebrated prizes for painting in regional Australia. Astute adjudication of the Prize over the years has yielded an excellent collection of modern and contemporary Australian paintings, works on paper and ceramics from the Post War period of the 20th Century and into the 21st Century, with the winning acquisitive works forming the nucleus of what is now known as the Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection. . Image Eleanor…
Suzanne Archer is exhibited as a finalist in the 2024 Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing with her work ‘The fish out of water’. . The Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing is an acquisitive art award among the most significant of its kind in the country. Named in honour of respected painter, printmaker and draughtswoman, Miss Adelaide Elizabeth Perry (1891-1973) who taught Visual Arts at PLC Sydney from 1930 to 1962, the Prize attracts submissions from around the country. From over 400 entries, Emeritus Professor Sasha Grishin, art historian, art critic and curator, selected this year’s Perry Prize shortlist. . Image…
See Pia Murphy’s ‘Garden Gravity’ Opening At Nicholas Thompson Gallery The artist’s indefinable oil paintings are on show at the Collingwood gallery until March 16. The oil paintings of Pia Murphy seamlessly combine abstract forms and recognisable figures across a vivid colour palette found in nature. Her latest body of work, Garden Gravity, is particularly inspired by the artist’s relationship to her home garden. While created without a preconceived outcome in mind, the 17 works in this new exhibition visually express how Pia’s garden relates to both her art practice and daily life. ‘I think it’s like tapping into some ancient knowledge,’…
Best of Melbourne Art Fair 2024 What to see at this year’s Melbourne Art Fair, which features contributions from over 60 galleries. While on the topic of paintings, there are some great examples to mention this year, including Jan Murphy Gallery‘s (B2) presentation of Guida Maestri, accompanied by an array of red wax-cast elements as wall fixtures and floor installations; Nicholas Thompson Gallery‘s (K1) solo of Newcastle-based James Drinkwater; and Amber Boardman’s Retro Enchantment showing at Sophie Gannon Gallery (C5).