Love, serendipity and a bucket of Nescafe Blend 43
Sam Scoufos captures photographic portraits of people as they appear reflected in various liquids – water, coffee, diesel, wine – ruffled by the wind. He calls the results ‘beautiful accidents’.
Visual Arts
When did universities become so soulless?
Campus was once a place for intimate, human gatherings and the exchange of brilliant ideas as is evident in this exhibition from the University of Sydney Union’s art collection.
New major Frida Kahlo exhibition is an Australian first
The discovery of Frida Kahlo’s personal items, locked away for 50 years in the Blue House, revealed much about her identity and artistry. For the first time, Australians will see a truly intimate portrait of the artist.
Through the looking glass
Photographic artist Tamara Dean loves the ‘otherworldly’ effect of shooting underwater – and she has cleverly designed her underwater studio so she doesn’t even get wet …
Under the facade of ‘diversity’ lies the real problem in Australian arts
Anyone with any judgment would have avoided choosing an artist connected with the nations involved in the bitter Middle East conflict as Australia’s Venice Biennale representative. Can you imagine the apoplectic outrage if a Jewish artist had been selected?
From sexed up circuses to a roll call of comedians
With its carnival vibe, Australia’s largest arts festival transforms the South Australian capital.
Iconic Australian designer Martin Grant on his major career retrospective
The fashion designer-to-the-stars has dressed the likes of Cate Blanchett and the Qantas crew. Ahead of his survey exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, Grant gives a glimpse into his surreal world.
Creative Australia head won’t resign over Biennale dumping
Creative Australia CEO Adrian Collette has told parliament he won’t resign over the dumping of artist Khaled Sabsabi as Australia’s representative to the Venice Biennale, insisting the decision was necessary.
Meet Ireland’s solo powerhouse
Beloved actor Stephen Rea is bringing his brilliant staging of Samuel Beckett’s Krapp’s Last Tape to the Adelaide Festival. As is standard for anyone interviewing this national treasure, I’ve been instructed not to ask questions about Dolours Price.
‘I go to Spotlight and battle 10-year-old girls for the chintziest fabric’
Gerwyn Davies has a unique schtick as an artist: he wrangles gaudy materials into fantastic sculptural costumes then photographs himself in situ. What do bystanders make of it?
’Kanye treated me well … but that was before his vile remarks’
Kathy Temin’s in-demand soft sculptures have taken her to some strange places – including James Turrell’s Roden Crater – but none more unexpected than the home of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.
Noel Counihan’s political art was dramatic, but changed nothing
The artist’s pieces certainly stand out, but there’s little evidence their messages changed the opinions of Australians in the Depression, World War II and Cold War eras.
Perth Festival’s first homegrown artistic director frames a city in transition
The nation’s oldest arts festival returns with a program that pushes the boundaries even as it honours Perth’s history.
Melbourne Art Fair welcomes fresh change this year
With a new director at its helm, the major contemporary art event is opening itself up to a modern demographic of collectors – and forging an approachable image.
From the law to the arts: Peter Jopling gives us a tour of the new Potter Museum of Art
Throughout his 45-year career, the barrister counterbalanced his day job as one of Australia’s leading King’s Counsels with his passion for the creative industries.
Gallery puts female artists in the frame
Ethel Carrick Fox and Anne Dangar, the two subjects of the National Gallery of Australia’s latest exhibition of women in art, are of a very different calibre.
Madonna, Jay Z and Beyonce collaborator descends on Perth Festival
Why famed choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is making a Gandhi-inspired dance work staged in a Perth shopping mall.
Dancers cried, laughed hysterically and slammed into walls
Pina Bausch blew up pre-existing notions of dance, attracting devotees and haters in equal measure. Now her famed German dance company is in the hands of choreographer Boris Charmatz.
The women behind one of Australia’s best galleries
For 20 years, Sullivan+Strumpf has championed Australian contemporary art on the global stage. Founders Joanna Strumpf and Ursula Sullivan celebrate the milestone.
Exposed: CIA’s ‘artistic licence’ to fight communism
Jackson Pollock had no idea that he was part of a CIA drive to burnish the West with soft power – unlike Putin’s overt efforts today to challenge Eurovision.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/visual-arts