Talking with Painters show

Talking with Painters

Summary: Want to hear from the painter behind the painting? Maria Stoljar talks enthusiastically with Australian painters about how they became an artist, their influences, painting techniques, current work and lots more!

Podcasts:

 Ep 146: Francis Giacco at his Australian Galleries exhibition | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 39:36

Watch the edited video version of this podcast episode on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel The exhibition of Francis Giacco's paintings now showing at Australian Galleries in Sydney has been a long time coming. Covid pushed back the scheduling but it was worth the wait! I met Francis at the gallery and we walked through the exhibition talking about several key works which cross portraiture, still life and landscape. Apart from the Archibald, Francis has won the Percival Portrait Painting prize (and other awards) and has been a People's Choice winner in the S.H.Ervin's Salon des Refuses.  Titled 'Recent works: Pictures at an Exhibition (apologies to Mussorgsky)', the show is a combination of recent work and major paintings from the 80s and 90s. It includes Francis' enigmatic multi-figured portrait which won the Archibald prize in 1994. Several other works hanging in this first room were shortlisted in the Archibald and Doug Moran National Portrait Prize.  Influenced by Vermeer and the early Renaissance masters, his work exudes beauty and vitality. He's a keen observer of the effects of light, whether it's streaming from behind a still life or fracturing through a bamboo curtain and the way he depicts detail in the illuminated subject often pushes the real into the abstract. Francis (also known as Frank to those who know him) was my first podcast guest and in the past also taught at Julian Ashton Art School where I first met him. Many of his students have gone on to make paintings which have hung in the Archibald prize themselves and I can think of at least three who are finalists in this year’s exhibition.  The exhibition continues at Australian Galleries until 2 July 2023. To hear the episode click on 'play' above. Click here to watch the shorter 8 minute video version of this episode. Links * YouTube video of this episode * My first podcast interview with Francis in 2016 * Francis Giacco at Australian Galleries * Francis Giacco on Instagram * Francis Giacco on Facebook * Johannes Vermeer * Subscribe to the TWP newsletter https://youtu.be/csBvbFfcwUc Homage to John Reichard (1994) egg emulsion on marine plywood, 202cm x 188cm Archibald Prize Winner, 1994 Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries Lee Lin Chin (1993) egg emulsion on marine plywood, 163cm x 127cm, Archibald Prize Finalist, 1993; Doug Moran Finalist, 1995. Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries White widow 1999-2000 egg emulsion on marine plywood, 132cm x 119cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries The piano 1984 oil on canvas, 96cm x 89cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries Jenny’s garden #25 – the altar 2020-23 oil on marine plywood, 122cm x 128.5cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries Jenny’s garden #20 – commotion 2020-23 oil on marine plywood, 43cm x 88cm Image courtesy of the artist and Australian Galleries Balthus’ cats 2020-23 oil on marine plywood, 122cm x 126cm

 When I won that art prize (part 4) – Georgia Spain | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 14:37

In the final episode of the series ‘When I won that art prize’ we go back to 2021 when a 27 year old Georgia Spain won the Sir John Sulman Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW, the first time she had entered the prize. In the same week she was announced the winner of the Women’s Art Prize Tasmania. These announcements were made less than 12 months after she was one of 5 artists to receive the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art scholarship. Georgia's recent work is currently hanging in the exhibition ‘Once more with feeling’ showing at Ngununggula, in the southern highlands of NSW. See below for links to Instagram videos about that exhibition. To hear this episode click on 'play' beneath the above photo. Links * Full Georgia Spain interview  * Georgia Spain's acceptance speech for the Sulman Prize at the AGNSW * Episode 115 - 'The Archibald Winners' * Sam Leach YouTube video (Part 1) * Sam Leach YouTube video (Part 2) * Tickets for Del Kathryn Barton live interview at the AGNSW 'Artists in Conversation' * Subscribe to the TWP newsletter * 'Once More with Feeling' at Ngununggula, Southern Highlands, 3 June - 13 August * Instagram video - Megan Monte talks about 'Once more with feeling' * Instagram video -  Maria Stoljar at Ngununggula * Karen Black * Ben Quilty  * Solo exhibition by Francis Giacco at Australian Galleries, 15 June to 2 July 2023 ‘Getting down or falling up’, acrylic on canvas, 180.6 x 187.5 cm Winner: Sir John Sulman Prize, 2021 https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cs73wXShsoy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cs94XEbhR5e/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==  

 When I won that art prize (part 3) – Megan Seres | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 16:25

In this episode I’m taking you back to my interview with Megan Seres who won the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize in 2016.  Megan received the $150,000 in prize money for her stunning painting, ‘Scarlett as Colonial girl’, which depicted her daughter in 19th century dress against a golden landscape. Megan hadn't planned on entering the competition, but was persuaded by a friend. When she heard her name announced as the winner, she was completely shocked. To hear the episode press play beneath the above photo. Central photo of Megan Seres supplied by the artist  Links * Megan Seres full Talking with Painters interview (ep 41) * 'The Archibald Winners' (ep 115) * Talking with Painters YouTube channel * My YouTube video of Megan in her studio (2018) * My 15 second video of the painting hanging in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize exhibition in 2016 * Megan Seres' website ‘Scarlett as colonial girl’, 2016, winner of the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize 2016

 Archibald winner Julia Gutman | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 14:54

Australia's most famous art prize was awarded yesterday at the Art Gallery of NSW together with the Wynne and Sulman prizes. The $100,000 prize went to a shocked but happy 29 year old Julia Gutman for her fabulous portrait of singer/songwriter Montaigne. It’s titled ‘Head in the sky feet on the ground’, a beautiful mixed media work consisting of oils, found textiles and embroidery. I had a chance to talk with her shortly after the announcement and I’m bringing you today that conversation together with her acceptance speech. The Wynne prize for landscape painting or figure sculpture went to Zaachariaha Fielding for his painting 'Inma’. Zaachariaha is primarily a singer, the lead vocalist of the band Electric Fields, and sings in Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara and English. Together with producer Michael Ross they have received 22 awards over the past 6 years for his music. In the winning work Zaachariaha aimed to visually depict sound, specifically the sounds of Mimili, a small community in the eastern part of the APY lands in South Australia and thrilled everyone at the announcement by singing with a few friends saying 'this is what the canvas sounds like' (see below for a link to a short video).  The Sulman Prize for genre painting which was judged by the artist Nell and went to Doris Bush Nangarrayi for her work 'Mamunya ngalyananyi (Monster coming)' which depicts several Mamus the ominous and malevolent spirits that terrify Anangu. These figures are typically seen to have large haunting eyes with straight hair standing upright and can shapeshift into many different forms, including the human figure. Doris lives in Papunya in the Northern Territory and paints vivid memories stories and dreams from her life. See below for images of all winning works. Links * Julia Gutman's website * Video of Zaachariaha Fielding https://youtu.be/GIF0LOntO2o https://youtu.be/eaTKIf6fBT4   Winner Archibald Prize 2023, Julia Gutman 'Head in the sky, feet on the ground', oil, found textiles and embroidery on canvas, 198 x 213.6 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter Winner Wynne Prize 2023, Zaachariaha Fielding 'Inma', acrylic on linen, 306.2 x 198.5 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter Winner Sulman Prize 2023, Doris Bush Nungarrayi 'Mamunya ngalyananyi (Monster coming)', acrylic on linen, 198 x 273.5 cm © the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter

 When I won that art prize (part 2)- James Drinkwater | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 11:58

In part 2 of the series 'When I won that art prize' we go back to episode 29 when James Drinkwater recalled winning the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship in 2014.   The award included a three month residency in Paris at the Cité Internationale des arts, a dream come true for any young painter. However, when he and his young family set off for France, not everything went according to plan. Upcoming show * Solo show at Edwina Corlette, 'You could just make a painting and write it all in there - new paintings from the slip room', 3 - 23 May, 2023 Links * Episode 29, James Drinkwater on Talking with Painters * Episode 115, The Archibald Winners * YouTube video of interview with Packing Room prize winner Andrea Huelin * James Drinkwater on Instagram * James Drinkwater at Nanda\Hobbs * James Drinkwater at Edwina Collette * James Drinkwater at Nicholas Thompson Gallery * Lottie Consalvo  Photo of James Drinkwater by Maria Stoljar (2017) ‘Encrusting the marvellous heart’, diptych, 2015, oil and collage on hardboard, 180 x 244cm Finalist Wynne Prize 2015    

 When I won that art prize (part 1) – Prudence Flint | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 13:47

Golden moments from the archives! While I'm busy updating my YouTube channel and taking a break from new interviews, I'm thrilled to bring you a new series featuring clips from past podcast guests. In my first series 'When I won that art prize' I look back at conversations I've had with painters about their experiences with winning awards. Although there are plenty of upsides (the prize money being one of the main ones) it's not always a positive experience! In 2017 (ep 35), I chatted with the fabulous Prudence Flint. No stranger to art prizes, she has won the Portia Geach Memorial Award, the Len Fox Painting Award and has been shortlisted in the Archibald seven times. But when I asked her what it was like winning the Doug Moran National Portrait prize in 2004, with prize money of $100,000, her response was not what you might expect. Links * Full TWP Prudence Flint interview - episode 35 * Prudence Flint website * Prudence Flint on Instagram * Prudence Flint's studio on TWP YouTube channel * Talking with Painters YouTube channel * The Good Oil Podcast with Graeme Douglas * Subscribe to the Talking with Painters newsletter ‘A Fine Romance #9’, 2004, oil on linen, 117 x 82cm Winner of Doug Moran National Portrait Prize 2004 ‘Baby’, 2015,  oil on linen, 105 x 90.5cm Finalist in Archibald Portrait Prize 2015

 Ep 140: Idris Murphy: Backblocks (live at the S.H.Ervin Gallery) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 35:10

Last Thursday I was thrilled to speak with Idris Murphy, leading contemporary artist and a previous podcast guest, in front of a live audience at the S.H.Ervin Gallery in Sydney. It's where the survey exhibition of his work, 'Idris Murphy: Backblocks' is now showing and continues until 26 March 2023. Curated by Terence Maloon, it features breathtaking work predominantly from the last two decades. Paintings which shimmer, glow, and transport the viewer.  Idris talked with me about his career including the stories behind several works, the influence indigenous culture has had on his approach and how he works in the studio. Although this exhibition is impressive in its quality and depth, this isn't the first survey show of Idris’s work. The exhibition ‘I and Thou’ in 2009/2010 had highlighted the preceding 30 years of work. He has exhibited in over 40 solo shows over the years with work in major public collections including  the National Gallery of Australia and Art Gallery of NSW. Thanks to everyone who came along!  I also filmed our conversation and will be uploading an edited version of this chat to the TWP YouTube channel in the coming months. Idris is represented by King Street Gallery in Sydney. Photo of Idris Murphy in his studio (2022) by Maria Stoljar  Current exhibition 'Idris Murphy: Backblocks', S.H.Ervin Gallery, Sydney, until 26 March 2023 Links * Idris Murphy's website * Idris Murphy at King Street Gallery * Previous podcast interview with Idris Murphy: Episode 131 * Henri Matisse * Clip of the American writer I refer to in the episode at about 6:40 - Etel Adnan - on beauty  * Susan Sontag - 'On Photography' * Jeanette Winterson * Annie Dillard * Rose Wylie * John Berger  The quote we refer to is from his book 'and our faces, my heart, as brief as photos' * Bono - 'Surrender' * Nick Cave * Badger Bates * Tickets to Artist Talk with Nick Stathopoulos at AGNSW * Subscribe to the TWP monthly newsletter  Installation photo - S.H.Ervin Gallery (see below for individual works) 'Somewhere in France 1', 2017, acrylic and collage on aluminium, 151 x 141cm ANU Art Collection 'Somewhere in France 2', 2017, acrylic and collage on aluminium, 151 x 141cm ANU Art Collection 'Somewhere in France 3', 2017, acrylic and collage on aluminium, 151 x 141cm ANU Art Collection 'Half Moon at the New', 2015, acrylic on aluminium,

 Ep 139: Yvette Coppersmith | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 57:13

For those of you interested in portraiture in Australia, Yvette Coppersmith needs no introduction.   She has painted dozens of portraits, including a collection of fascinating self-portraits, and is regularly shortlisted in the country's most competitive portrait awards. In 2018 she was awarded the one that would place her in Australian art history - the Archibald Prize. What has captured my attention more recently, though, are Yvette’s abstract works, particularly a body of work I saw in her exhibition ‘Presage’ at Sullivan + Strumpf in Sydney last year. They were thickly textured, swirling abstractions and how she came to create that show is as interesting as the paintings themselves. Yvette has been painting for over 20 years and her work is held in many public and private collections. In addition to winning the Archibald Prize, she has won the Metro 5 Art Award and has been a finalist multiple times in nearly every prestigious portrait prize in Australia, including the Doug Moran, Portia Geach, and Darling Portrait prizes. In this episode we follow her career from her early photorealistic works to her present-day experimentation with paint and genre, encompassing still lifes and interiors along the way. To hear the conversation click 'play' below the above photo. See below for images of the works we talk about in the show. Photograph of Yvette Coppersmith by Mel Savage Links * Yvette Coppersmith's website * Yvette Coppersmith on Instagram * Yvette Coppersmith at Sullivan + Strumpf * 'Presage' exhibition at Sullivan + Strumpf * Roger Kemp 2019/20 retrospective at the National Gallery of Victoria * Talking with Painters YouTube channel * Sign up to the Talking with Painters newsletter 'Self-portrait after George Lambert', oil and acrylic on linen, 122 x 101.5cm, 2018 Winner Archibald Prize 2018 'Nude Self-portrait after Rah Fizelle', oil on linen, 91.5 x 66cm, 2016 Finalist, Portia Geach Memorial Award, 2016 'John Safran', oil on plywood, 120cm x 90cm, 2009 Archibald Prize finalist 2009 'John Safran', oil on plywood, 120cm x 90cm, 2009 Archibald Prize finalist 2009 'In the Garland, portrait of Paul Capsis', oil on linen, 22.5 x 111.5cm, 2007 Finalist, Archibald Prize, 2008 'Untitled Movement (Scarlet Lake)', oil on jute, 76.5 x 61cm, 2022 Photo: Matthew Stanton   'Untitled Movement (Triptych)', oil on jute, 3 x 122.5cm x 91.5cm Photo: Simon Hewson 'Arrangement with Grey and Yellow', oil on linen 61cm x 46cm , 2014 'Geranium and Succulents', oil on linen, 80cm x 59.5cm, 2015 Posthumous Portrait of Edith Morris, oil on linen, 86.5cm x 63.5cm, 2020 Photo: Matthew Stanton Collection of Melbourne Girls Grammar School  

 Ep 138: Anthony White | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 51:03

The gestural marks in Anthony White's work are often bold and demanding of the viewer's attention. These abstract works vary from swirling lines in saturated colour, to textured surfaces and more formal collaged constructions. What is not apparent on the surface of the canvas is the time the artist has spent reading, writing and researching in the lead-up to their creation. Newspapers and books play as much a role in his work as the paint itself and writing his own thoughts on social and political issues and current events are crucial to his creative process. In this podcast conversation we touch on those ideas but Anthony also makes many insightful observations about the creation itself. Born in Australia, Anthony is now Paris-based and is represented by several galleries in Europe and Australia. His first museum show, titled 'Mobilising Material', was held at the Mark Rothko Art Centre in Latvia in 2022. He also returned to Australia last year on a creative fellowship at the National Library of Australia where he researched Sidney Nolan‘s commissioned mural of the Eureka Stockade. (See below for a link to his presentation relating to that research) He has been awarded the Marten Bequest Travelling scholarship, amongst other residencies, and his work is held in public and private collections internationally. A video relating to this interview will be uploaded to the YouTube channel in the coming months. Click on 'play' below the above photo to hear the podcast episode. Photo supplied by the artist Links * Website * Anthony White on Instagram * Anthony White at Metro Gallery * Anthony White at Boullier Fine Art * Anthony White at Artscape Luxembourg * Mobilising Material Exhibition at the Mark Rothko Art Centre, Latvia  * National Library of Australia Creative Fellowship presentation 2022 (YouTube) * Click here for my US highlights Instagram reel  * Subscribe to the TWP newsletter  'Lampedusa', 2019, oil and ripolin enamel on linen, 150 x 120cm 'The Landscape is never Innocent (after Mannalargenna)', 2018, oil and ripolin on linen Finalist and Highly Commended in 2018 Glover Prize 'Sanctuary' 2016, oil and shellac on linen, 120 x 100cm 'Federation Peak II', 2020, oil on linen, 150 x 120cm Finalist 2021 Glover Prize 'Ghost series XIII' 2022, acrylic and flash on linen, 90.5 x 90.5cm 'Proletariat', 2017, 91.5 x 91.5cm

 Ep 137: Paul Newton (part 2) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 53:41

Most artists know that painting a portrait in a tradition where colour and form appear realistic takes years of training where trial and error play an important part. This is part 2 of my interview with leading portrait painter Paul Newton. He makes the analogy of a painter being like a cook and it's an appropriate one. And like a celebrity chef printing his secret recipes in a cookbook, Paul shares in this episode many of the lessons he's learnt through his years of experience. In the first of this two part conversation, Paul spoke with me about how he became an artist and the stories behind several of his stunning portraits. In this episode, we talk more about the creation of his paintings.  Amongst other things, we talk at length about colour, he shares the pitfalls when using photographic references, the challenges of painting backgrounds and he shares an interesting approach on how to see work with fresh eyes, something crucial for portraitists painting in a realistic style. Paul is a fifteen-time Archibald finalist (including twice People's Choice and Packing Room Prize winner), has 6 works in the National Portrait Gallery's collection and has painted dozens of commissions of notable people from politicians to movie stars. Although there are already some video clips of Paul talking with me on the Talking with Painters Instagram and Facebook pages, I’ll  be publishing a longer video on the YouTube channel in coming weeks. To hear the podcast episode click 'play' beneath the above photo. Links * Click here for the TWP website if listening through your podcast app * Hear Part 1 of this conversation here * Paul Newton's website * Paul Newton on Instagram * Paul Newton on Facebook * Robert Hannaford * John Singer Sargent * Diego Velazquez * 'Pope Innocent X' by Diego Velazquez, Doria Pamphilj Gallery * 'Lady Agnew of Lochnaw' (hi-res), John Singer Sargent, National Galleries of Scotland * Graeme Inson  'Self portrait 2022', oil on linen, 35.5cm x 36cm Progress photos of 'Self Portrait 2022' The palette sheet Paul refers to at the beginning of the episode. ‘Portrait of Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness’oil on linen, 215 x 142.2cmFinalist Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, 2022 'Self portrait in lockdown, 2021' Finalist, Darling Portrait Prize 2022 ‘Maggie Tabberer 1999’ Oil on canvas, 213.5 x 106.5cm 'Our Lady of the Southern Cross - Help of Christian’ oil on Belgian linen 2011, 200 x 80cm Domus Australia chapel Rome 'St Mary of the Cross Mackillop', 2010 oil on Belgian linen 235 x 180cm, Domus Australia chapel, Rome

 Ep 136: Paul Newton (part 1) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:11:29

It was the 80s. Paul Newton had finished a science degree and was a singer in a band. He sensed, though, that this was not meant to be his life's work. 'I'm a bit of a perfectionist and unless I can do something really well I find it frustrating to do it at all'. So he decided to change course and he put that perfectionism to good use; he is now one of Australia’s most highly skilled and accomplished portrait painters. If you are interested in the Archibald prize,  you no doubt will have seen a Paul Newton portrait. He’s been a finalist 15 times, a People's Choice winner twice and Packing Room winner twice. But those portraits are just the tip of the iceberg. He has been painting the portraits of notable people for over 30 years, spanning the arts, business, law, sport, the church, the military and more. From Hugh Jackman to  Kylie Minogue, from former prime minister Bob Hawke to former governor general Sir William Deane, from David Gonski to Frank Lowy, Roy and HG to David Campese, Maggie Tabberer and even Saint Mary Mackillop.   Paul has six works in the National Portrait Gallery's collection, has been awarded art prizes in the US and his many  commissions include 32 pictures for the interior of the Domus Australia Chapel in Rome. In this first of a two-part episode we talk about how he became an artist and the stories behind many works including his portraits of Hugh Jackman and Deborra Lee-Furness, Roy and HG and Maggie Tabberer. In the next episode we'll dive into other works but also talk more about technique including an in-depth discussion about his use of colour. To hear the episode click on play beneath the above feature photo. Latest YouTube videos and Newsletter Signup link * Sign up for the Talking with Painters newsletter * Tributes flow for Nicholas Harding * Maria Stoljar takes you to the opening of Sydney Modern (3 minute video) * Richard Lewer talks with Maria Stoljar about his commissioned work for the AGNSW Links * Paul Newton's website * Paul Newton on Instagram * Nigel Thomson * Norman Rockwell * Max Meldrum * Roy and HG * Maggie Tabberer * Hugh Jackman * Deborra-Lee Furness * David Campese * John Singer Sargent 'Portrait of Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness' oil on linen, 215 x 142.2cm Finalist Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, 2022 'Roy and HG (John Doyle and Greig Pickhaver)' Oil on canvas 137.5 x 124 cm Finalist Archibald Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, 2001, Packing Room Prize winner, People's Choice winner (L) 'Maggie Tabberer 1999' Oil on canvas, 213.5 x 106.5cm (R) 'Maggie Tabberer 2020' Oil on linen, 213.5 x 130.5 cm 'David Campese II', 2000, oil on canvas, 125.0 cm x 115.0 cm

 Ep 135: Belinda Street | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 46:56

It's hard to define what makes a good landscape painting but, if you investigate the backstory, you might find the artist has a close connection with that place. In Belinda Street's October show at Straitjacket Artspace, 'Keep your feet on the ground and your thoughts at lofty heights', her bond with the alpine landscape was obvious, particularly with Mt Kosciuszko in NSW. Her repeated exploration of that mountain has led to exciting reimaginings in paint. A winner of one of Australia's most significant landscape painting prizes, the Paddington Art Prize, Belinda evokes a reverence for this natural environment through expressive mark making and dramatic use of colour. It was this body of work which we talked about in front of an audience as part of the Newcastle Art Gallery Society art program and which I'm bringing to you in this podcast episode. We also touched on Belinda's early career, the representational and the abstract in her work, juggling motherhood and an art practice, as well as many aspects of her process including colour preferences, how she sees work with fresh eyes and ways of achieving a flow state in the studio. The conversation was recorded at Newcastle City Hall on 5 October 2022.  Click 'play' beneath the above photo to hear the interview. You can also see my YouTube video here of Belinda at Straitjacket Artspace which we filmed the day before our talk. Upcoming shows * Group show 'Darlings' at Curatorial & Co, Sydney, 30 November - 10 December 2022 Links * Belinda Street's website * Belinda Street on Instagram * Exhibition at Straitjacket Artspace * Toby Cedar https://youtu.be/5Lh5gM2GsSM 'Yellow Box Gully', 2019, oil on canvas, 100 x 150cm Winner 2019 Paddington Art Prize 'Organ Pipes 2', oil on board, 51 x 61cm 'Along the Organ Pipes Track 3', oil on canvas, 100 x 150cm 'Walking Kunanyi 2', oil on canvas, 40 x 40cm 'Renewal', acrylic on board, 40.6 x 30.5cm 'Parrots of Central Australia' (12 panels in total) this panel: Major Mitchells Cockatoo, acrylic on canvas 'Mr Toby Cedar', oil on canvas, 180 x 150cm

 Ep 134: Nicholas Harding (2019) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:17:31

We lost one of our greatest artists last night. Nicholas Harding - landscape, still life and portrait painter - and my heart sank when I heard the news.  It’s early afternoon and already there are many tributes coming through in the newspapers and social media. It’s clear he will be greatly missed by many. When I started this podcast, Nicholas Harding was on my wish list and when he agreed to an interview three years later I felt like I had hit the jackpot. I was right. He was one of the most  authentic, warm and thoughtful guests I’ve interviewed and it was a privilege to meet him in his studio.  Although Nicholas was a highly acclaimed painter with sell out shows, he spoke with me in a grounded and humble way. He was humorous and not afraid to reveal moments of self doubt. He was also open about the cancer treatment he’d undergone the previous year and, in what seems typical of his nature, he was more interested in sympathising with those who were worse off than himself.  It’s this interview which was first published in 2019 that I’m posting again to the podcast. I also made a video from our conversations that day. (link below). There is no doubt that Nicholas will be remembered as one of Australia’s most gifted painters of the 21st century. He won many major art prizes including the Archibald prize (in which he was a finalist 19 times) and a few months ago he won the Wynne prize with his painting 'Eora', one of the most complex, immersive landscapes that you will ever see, manipulating impasto paint to represent nature yet still retaining an astonishing abstract quality. He was particularly interested in light; how it came through differently depending on the foliage, how it  landed on the ground, how it created various kinds of shadows and how different it was to the light in England where he spent the first nine years of his life. I spoke with him at the Art Gallery of NSW shortly after he won the prize and that conversation is a video (link below) and is included in episode 127 of the podcast. Nicholas has also been recognised for his wonderful drawings and in this episode we talked about works he made from life of well known actors while they were in theatre rehearsals and performances. Those drawings were later published in the book ‘From the Wings’. Nicholas' works are held in many public institutions including the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of NSW, the National Portrait gallery and the Art Gallery of South Australia. My condolences to Nicholas' wife Lynne and son Sam. Nicholas was remembered by family and friends a few weeks after this episode was published and I was honoured to be asked by his wife Lynne to film the afternoon where moving tributes were made by Lynne and his son Sam as well as artists, actors and musicians who knew him well. You can see that video below. Vale Nicholas. Thank you for making this world a more beautiful place. Video Links * My conversation with Nicholas in his studio (2019) * My interview with Nicholas at the Art Gallery of NSW (2022) * My Instagram walk through of the exhibition 'Landscape and Birds' at Olsen Gallery, 2020 * My YouTube video of the exhibition 'From the Wings' at Olsen Gallery, 2020 * My YouTube video of tributes to Nicholas Harding in Sydney https://youtu.be/ZcDwuWpE3QI   https://youtu.be/NWezJHrg9P4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfSo9xcFrEQ&t=81s  

 Ep 133: Fred Fowler | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 53:45

There is something mesmerising about Fred Fowler’s paintings. The multitude of small, colour-filled shapes scattered across a monochrome background raise a lot of questions. Is that a pink cat? A cactus? An alien? Next to a mobile phone tower? Are they related? Other amorphous elements seem purely abstract but still somehow evoke a response; a memory, an emotion. The viewer is taken into an alternate space where objects might be floating or fixed but often not identifiable. Ultimately it's a sensory experience which demands multiple viewings so it's not surprising that these works fly off gallery walls in sell-out shows. Fred's work is held in the National Gallery of Australia and, although his roots are in graffiti art and graphic design, as soon as he began his studies at the Victorian College of the Arts it became clear to him the direction he should take. In this interview he talks about that transition, the artists who have influenced him and the thoughts behind his work, openly sharing the struggles and doubts. It was a revealing and enjoyable conversation.  Fred is represented by Sophie Gannon Gallery and Jan Murphy Gallery. To hear the podcast interview click on play beneath the above feature photo. A short Youtube video of Fred in his Melbourne studio will be uploaded to the Talking with Painters YouTube channel in the coming weeks. Photo supplied by the artist Upcoming shows * Solo show at Sophie Gannon Gallery, Melbourne, 2023 Links * Fred Fowler website * Fred Fowler on Instagram * Fred Fowler at Jan Murphy Gallery * Fred Fowler at Sophie Gannon Gallery * Banksy * 'The Element of Crime', Lars von Trier * 'Cut Piece' - Yoko Ono * Francis Bacon * Ramellzee (YouTube documentary) * 'In the Making, artist series' which includes part of Fred's video work 'Plc Ntrvw' * Digital work 'Samizdat 4' (cropped) 2021 as appears on Instagram 'Mooloomba Rd, Point Lookout' (2020), synthetic polymer paint and oil paint on wood panel,  90 x 100cm   'In this sunset' (2021), synthetic polymer paint on wood panel, 100 x 90 cm 'Overgrown' 2020, synthetic polymer paint and oil paint on wood panel, 100 x 90 cm 'Tarkine (study)' (2019), oil paint and gold leaf on wood panel, 70 x 60 cm 'Above Cylinder Beach' (2018), oil stick on wood panel, 60 x 70cm Still from 'Samizdat 4' 2021, digital, looping See video on Instagram (cropped) here Dimensions: 1078 × 606 Duration: 0:15 Blockchain: Ethereum 'Cultural amnesia (Liquid State)' 2012, spraypaint and synthetic polymer paint on wood panel, 100 x 130cm

 Ep 132: Jacqui Stockdale and ‘Heads of the Family’ | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 44:47

Jacqui Stockdale is a previous podcast guest . I asked her back onto the show after I saw a series of moving portraits she posted on Instagram.  Her stepfather, George Stirling, was nearing the end of his life and Jacqui was painting the portraits of family and friends who were visiting over that difficult time. George passed away in June.  The works were swiftly painted alla prima, mostly in one sitting from life or an iPhone image, and the resulting group of over twenty portraits is titled 'Heads of the Family'. In this episode Jacqui talks with me about the experience of painting those works which include a self-portrait and portrayals of George from life. Jacqui’s work crosses many disciplines which defy description spanning from painting, sculpture, photography, collage and performance and her imagery includes portrayals of Ned Kelly, lots of masks, naked figures and horses heads. She has painted the portrait throughout her career and in 2018 was one of only twenty artists to be  commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery to mark its 20th year.  Jacqui is represented by Olsen Gallery in Sydney. Current and upcoming shows, as well as images of paintings we talk about in this episode, are listed below. Above portrait photo of Jacqui Stockdale by Ilona Nelson (cropped) Current and upcoming exhibitions * 'Nudes of Chong', Rose Chong Costumier, Gertrude St, Melbourne, current until 24 September 2022 * 'The Outlaw's Inn', Benalla Art Gallery, Benalla, Victoria, November 2022 Links * Subscribe to the Talking with Painters Newsletter * Jacqui Stockdale website * Jacqui Stockdale on Instagram * Jacqui Stockdale at Olsen Gallery * Previous podcast interview with Jacqui Rick Stirling, George's brother George Stirling Jacqui Stockdale, Self Portrait Drawings of George Stirling Jacqui Stockdale's mother, Maree Stockdale George Stirling's sister Trish Stirling 'An artist practising' - self portrait  

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