NewsBite

Our Team

Christopher AllenColumnist

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.

Latest

Claude Monet Haystacks, midday [Meules, milieu du jour] 1890oil on canvas65.6 x 100.6 cmPurchased 1979National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

Overdose of genius

The exhibition invites us to ‘discover the untold story’ of the impressionists, but can there be too much of a good thing?

Christopher Allen

John Gollings Ancient rock art, Nawarla Gabarnmang, Arnhem Land 2015 / 2019ink jet print 150 x 225 cm© John GollingsReproduced with the permission of the late Margaret Katherine, Senior Elder of the Buyhmi clan and traditional owner of Nawarla Gabarnmang Heide Museum of Modern Art

Timeless sense of belonging

John Gollings’ images brilliantly capture Australia’s oldest rock art in their vast cave-like surroundings in Arnhem Land.

Christopher Allen

Alexander CalderAmerican 1898–1976Molluscs 1955oil on canvas76.2 x 101.6 cmCalder Foundation, New York© 2019 Calder Foundation, New York / Copyright Agency,AustraliaPhoto Credit : Calder Foundation, New York / Art Resource, NY

Master of form and movement

The truth of Alexander Calder’s sculptures belie their apparent simplicity.

Christopher Allen

Jeffrey SmartThe stilt race 1960oil on plywood56.3 x 91.3 cmArt Gallery of New South WalesPurchased 1961© AGNSWPhoto: AGNSW, Diana Panuccio***This image may only be used inconjunction with editorial coverage of the‘Jeffrey Smart: constructed world’exhibition on display 11 May – 29 Sep2019, at the Art Gallery of New SouthWales. This image may not be cropped oroverwritten. Prior approval in writingrequired for use as a cover. Caption detailsmust accompany reproduction of theimage. Media contact:Hannah.McKissock

Masterly sense of geometry

Jeffrey Smart’s meticulously created urban depictions are an absorbing lesson in compositional dynamics.

Christopher Allen

Rosslynd PiggottNature-morte eggs 1 1990–91oil on canvas107.3 x 137.0 cm© The artistPhoto: courtesy the artistSource: National gallery of Victoria

Showcase of the yin and yang

Energy and sensibility are on display in the NGV’s latest diverse exhibitions.

Christopher Allen

visual artsReview

Marcel Duchamp's Fountain photographed by Alfred StieglitzMarcel Duchamp's Fountain reproduced in The Blind Man, No. 2, New York, 1917The Fountain photographed by Alfred Stieglitzhttp://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/747647Source: en.wikipedia.org - free and open copyright

Going against the flow

Among all artists of his time, Marcel Duchamp and his works remain misread and misunderstood.

Christopher Allen

Jurgis MitseviciusStill life with mask and grapes, 1947Keepers of the Flame Exhibition Manly Art Gallery This exhibition celebrates the histories and art of Arthur Murch and Jurgis Miksevicius. Credit: Manly Art Gallery

Proudly shunning the trends

The work of 20th century Australian artists Arthur Murch and Jurgis Miksevicius is finally receiving long-due attention.

Christopher Allen

COMMENTARYCommentary

Archibald circus is in town

Archibald circus is in town

The Archibald Prize is often called a circus, and that is indeed what it is: lurid entertainment meant to surprise and shock.

Christopher Allen

Janet Laurence, Cellular Gardens (Where Breathing Begins), 2005, installation view, Janet Laurence: After Nature, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2019, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Jacquie Manning

Force of nature

The connection between all living things — and the threats they face — is reflected in a new installation.

Christopher Allen

Drawn to the edge

Cartoons don’t just express political concerns but also serve the purpose of converting anger into laughter.

Christopher Allen

1
…
32
33
34
35
36
…
91

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/christopher-allen/page/34