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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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Review

Gunter ChristmannUntitled Composition1966oil on composition board 116 x 116 cm National Gallery of Australia Canberra Purchased 1985 From the exhibition: Call of the Avant-Garde Heide Museum of Modern Art 5 July 8 October 2017 To be used in conjunction with exhibition only; not to be altered, overprinted; must credit

Out of the revolution

The idea that the avant-garde had some affinity with revolutionary politics is beguiling but misleading.

Christopher Allen

Review

Historical photo Exhibition: 1917: THE GREAT STRIKE, Carriageworks, Sydney 15 Jul – 27 Aug 2017To be used in conjunction with exhibition only

A display of unity

An exhibition on the Great Strike of 1917 shows how dramatically Australia has changed in 100 years.

Christopher Allen

Review

Mervyn Bishop Lionel Rose at his press conference 1968 gelatin silver photograph 30.1 x 30.1 cm Art Gallery of New South Wales Hallmark Cards Australian Photography Collection Fund 1991 © Mervyn Bishop Photo: Carley Wright, AGNSW **This image may only be used in conjunction with editorial coverage of the exhibition 'Mervyn Bishop' at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, 24 June - 8 Oct 2017. This image may not be cropped or overwritten. Prior approval in writing required for use as a cover. The caption as supplied must accompany the reproduction of the image. Media contact: Hannah.McKissocDavis@ag.nsw.gov.au *** Local Caption *** **This image may only be used in conjunction with editorial coverage of the exhibition 'Mervyn Bishop' at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, 24 June - 8 Oct 2017. This image may not be cropped or overwritten. Prior approval in writing required for use as a cover. The caption as supplied must accompany the reproduction of the image. Media contact: Hannah.McKissocDavis@ag.nsw.gov.au

A matter of perspective

The exhibition of press photographs by Mervyn Bishop show his mastery of the medium.

Christopher Allen

CommentOpinion

Criticism shows generation divide

It’s well known that both artist and subject can be significant factors in winning the Archibald Prize.

Christopher Allen

Review

George John Pinwell A seat in St James's Park 1869 watercolour, 41.9 x 60.2 cm Art Gallery of New South Wales Purchased 1886 *** This image may only be used in conjunction with editorial coverage of the exhibition Victorian watercolours, on display 2 Jun – 3 Dec 2017, at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. This image may not be cropped or overwritten. Prior approval in writing required for use as a cover. Caption details must accompany reproduction of the image *** Media contact: Hannah.McKissock-Davis@ag.nsw.gov.au *** Local Caption *** *** This image may only be used in conjunction with editorial coverage of the exhibition Victorian watercolours, on display 2 Jun – 3 Dec 2017, at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. This image may not be cropped or overwritten. Prior approval in writing required for use as a cover. Caption details must accompany reproduction of the image *** Media contact: Hannah.McKissock-Davis@ag.nsw.gov.au

Real-world views

The Victoria Watercolours exhibition says much about British art in the 19th century.

Christopher Allen

Visual Arts

Archibald Prize 2017 finalist Peter Smeeth 'Lisa Wilkinson AM' oil on linen 100 x 150 cm © the artist Photo: Felicity Jenkins, AGNSW *** EMBARGO: 12 NOON, THURSDAY 20 JULY 2017 *** This image may only be used in conjunction with editorial coverage of the 2017 Archibald Prize competition, on display 29 Jul – 22 Oct 2017, at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. This image may not be cropped or overwritten. Prior approval in writing required for use as a cover. Caption details must accompany reproduction of the image. Media contact:Kamal.Rana@ag.nsw.gov.au *** Local Caption *** *** EMBARGO: 12 NOON, THURSDAY 20 JULY 2017 *** This image may only be used in conjunction with editorial coverage of the 2017 Archibald Prize competition, on display 29 Jul – 22 Oct 2017, at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. This image may not be cropped or overwritten. Prior approval in writing required for use as a cover. Caption details must accompany reproduction of the image. Media contact:Kamal.Rana@ag.nsw.gov.au

Paint from life, avoid blow-ups

The best Archibald entries are neither oversized nor based on photographs.

Christopher Allen

Review

Divine inspiration

The original teaching of Buddhism was remarkably simple but it did not stay simple for long.

Christopher Allen

Review

William Dobel lMr Joshua Smith 1943 oil on canvas 107 x 76 cm Private collection Courtesy Sotheby’s Australia © Sir William Dobell Art Foundation From the exhibition: Discovering Dobell Tarrawarra Museum of Art 27 May - 13 August 2017 To be used in conjunction with exhibition only; not to be cropped, overprinted, altered; must credit

Thoughtful study in progression

William Dobell caused a furore with his Archibald Prize winning portrait of a friend.

Christopher Allen

Review

Installation view of:Syria: Ancient History – Modern ConflictIan Potter Museum of Art, Melbourne 28 Mar 2017 to Sunday 27 Aug 2017 To be used in conjunction with exhibition only

Devoted to the past

An exhibition of Syrian artefacts highlights the devotion of historians in the face of Islamist vandals.

Christopher Allen

Review

Every picture masks a story

Melodrama is ever present in these prints from Japanese novels popular at the turn of the last century.

Christopher Allen

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/christopher-allen/page/45