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Christopher Allen has been The Australian’s national art critic since 2008. He is an art historian and educator, teaching classical Greek and Latin. He has written an edited several books including Art in Australia and believes that the history of art in this country is often underestimated.

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artsReview

The Mahi-Mahi by Rob PalmerWINNER NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHICPORTRAIT PRIZE 2020The National PhotographicPortrait PrizeJosh Niland, head chef and owner of Saint Peter restaurant, isreinventing what can be done with fish, and – most importantly– with every part of the fish, in a huge effort to drastically reduce wastage

Rare portraits cut through dross

Painted portraits have a long history, which we can follow continuously since their reappearance in the Renaissance.

Christopher Allen

Easter traditionMusic

21/04/2019. Safari suit Sunday - a yearly tradition for Bluesfest revellers (L-R) Richard Kennedy, James Hutchinson, Ellie Altzar, Luke Banal, Tristan Bright and Alex Willemsie who have been coming for the last 7 years. Jane Dempster/The Australian.

Byron Bay’s Bluesfest cancelled

Organisers of the five-day festival have scratched a longstanding event from the cultural calendar.

Andrew McMillen

musicReview

Fanny floats On

With her third album, Fallow, country singer-songwriter Fanny Lumsden aimed to create something beautiful and optimistic.

Andrew McMillen

REVIEWReview

Witchcraft, mythology, magic in Chinese culture

Chinese mythology and other often overlooked themes are central to an exhibition in western Sydney

Christopher Allen

MIDDLE EIGHTReview

Singer-songwriter Deborah Conway, who is the winner of the 2020 Australia Council for the Arts Don Banks Music Award. This award is named in honour of Don Banks, a composer, performer and the first Chairof the Music Board. The Award acknowledges the achievements of a distinguished artist who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to music in Australia. Photograph by Maja Baska.

Deborah Conway, just the music

Deborah Conway has won the $25,000 Don Banks Music Award for her outstanding and sustained contribution to Australian music.

Andrew McMillen

coronavirus concernsArts

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Miley Cyrus performs at the Sunset Marquis on February 08, 2020 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Erik Voake/Getty Images)

Miley Cyrus pulls out of bushfire concert

US pop artist Miley Cyrus has cancelled her appearance at a Melbourne gig, citing concerns around virus spread.

Andrew McMillen

musicReview

Brandi behind bars

Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile thrives in situations others might call ‘high pressure’.

Andrew McMillen

MIDDLE EIGHTReview

Singer-songwriters Colin Hay and Sia Furler, pictured at the Global APRA Music Awards in Los Angeles in February 2020, where Furler presented Hay with a distinguished services award for his outstanding contribution to Australian music. Photograph by Nick Demarais.

Sia and ‘Uncle’ Colin Hay

A little-known link between two giants of Australian music was revealed in Los Angeles last week.

Andrew McMillen

Review

Martina Amati Italy, b. 1969 Under (Depth) (still) 2015 Digital film, colour, 11 minutes, looped (one channel of 3-channel installation) / Dimensions variable. Courtesy of the artist. © Martina Amati. Water Exhibition Queensland Art Gallery

Elemental flow of ideas

Water is not only indispensable for our physical survival but also a source of great aesthetic and spiritual pleasure.

Christopher Allen

Review

John GOLLINGS Kabaw Berber Granary, Kabaw, Libya 2005 pigment ink-jet print courtesy of the artist

Function and fashion

Regardless of age, some architectural masterpieces continue to fascinate.

Christopher Allen

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/christopher-allen/page/29