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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

Bill HENSONAustralian born 1955Untitled 2008–09inkjet print127.0 x 180.0 cm © Bill HensonCopyright (C) reserved From the exhibition: Bill HensonNGV International 10 March –24 August 2017 To be used in conjunction with exhibition only; not to be cropped, overprinted, altered; must credit

Realm of nocturnes

The Bill Henson exhibition at the NGV is far from the agitated and opinionated chatter his work sometimes attracts.

Christopher Allen

Review

William Eggleston Untitled, c.1965-9Pigment print, printed 2016, 33.4 x 51cmEggleston Artistic Trust© Eggleston Artistic Trust From the exhibition:William Eggleston PortraitsNGV International 17 March – 18 June 2017 To be used in conjunction with exhibition only; not to be cropped, overprinted, altered; must credit.

Singular moments

William Eggleston’s photographs, at first glance, are almost startling in their deliberate banality.

Christopher Allen

Review

Himansu Rai (centre), with Seeta Devi (left) in A Throw of Dice (1929). Two princes gamble with their kingdoms for the right to marry the girl they both love. From the exhibition: Bombay Talkies exhibition, ACMI, Melbourne 8 Feb - 2 Jul 2017Image supplied by ACMI To be used in conjunction with exhibition only; must credit

All eyes on India

An exhibition on the beginnings of the Indian film industry has a fascinating back story at its heart.

Christopher Allen

Review

Easy on the eyes … Philips lamps, made in Australia. c1948. By Archie Dickens. National Library of Australia collection. From the exhibition: The Sell National Library of Australia To be used in conjunction with exhibition only; not to be overprinted, altered; must credit

A consumer affair

From ‘stamina’ trousers to ‘hospital’ brandy, it’s amazing the lengths advertisers will go to to attract a sale.

Christopher Allen

Review

Norman Lindsay Today the German Monster threatens the world with bloodshed, slavery and death 1917 lithograph, printed in colour inks National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Purchased 1981 @ H.C. & A. Glad From the exhibition: Artists of the Great War National Gallery of Australia until June 2017 To be used in conjunction with exhibition only; not to be cropped, overprinted, altered; must credit

Pity and the propaganda

For most of us in the prosperous nations of the developed world, the reality of war has become somewhat remote.

Christopher Allen

Review

FOR DIGITAL. Philip Pearlstein 'Andy Warhol in New York City' c1949 Philip Pearlstein papers. Archives of American Art. Smithsonian Institution **These images may only be used in conjunction with editiorial coverage of the exhibition Adman: Warhol before pop at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, 25 February 2017 – 28 May 2017. This exhibition is developed collaboratively by the Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney. These images 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.McKissock-Davis@ag.nsw.gov.au *** Local Caption *** **These images may only be used in conjunction with editorial coverage of the exhibition 'Adman: Warhol before pop' at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, 25 February 2017 – 28 May 2017. This exhibition is developed collaboratively by the Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney. These images 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.McKissock-Davis@ag.nsw.gov.au

Man behind the brand

The exhibition of Andy Warhol’s work in advertising reveals a man of many contradictions.

Christopher Allen

Review

Marc Quinn Born 1964, London, England, where he lives and works Oil on canvas Courtesy of the artist Photo Credit: Mona/Rémi Chauvin Image Courtesy Mona, Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia From the exhibition: On the Origin of Art, MONA, Hobart To 17 April 2017 To be used in conjunction with exhibition only; not to be altered; must credit

Aesthetic genesis

When visitors enter On the Origin of Art at MONA, they are confronted with four different doorways.

Christopher Allen

Review

Nestawedjat, courtesy the British Museum. From the exhibition Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives, at the Powerhouse Museum.

Lives unwrapped

The Powerhouse Museum exhibition of Egyptian mummies delves into an ancient culture.

Christopher Allen

Review

William Dobell Margaret Olley 1948 oil on hardboard 114.3 x 85.7 cm board; 148 x 118.5 x 13 cm frame Art Gallery of New South Wales Purchased 1949 © Courtesy Sir William Dobell Art Foundation. Photo: AGNSW From the exhibition: Margaret Olley: painter, peer, mentor, muse S.H. Ervin Gallery 7 JANUARY - 26 MARCH 2017 To be used in conjunction with exhibition only; not to be cropped, overprinted, altered; must credit

Between friends

The Margaret Olley exhibition shows how sociability and learning together can enrich an artist’s experience.

Christopher Allen

Review

Garden Palace. State Library of Victoria, Gift of Mr. Tristan Buesst, 1968 From the exhibition: Demolished Sydney Museum of Sydney 19 NOVEMBER 2016 - 17 APRIL 2017 To be used in conjunction with exhibition only; must credit

Structural damage

Demolished Sydney looks at the often lamentable reasons for a building’s destruction.

Christopher Allen

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/christopher-allen/page/47