Visual Arts

Lindy Lee, Ouroboros, 2021-24 installation view, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, 2024, commissioned for the National Gallery’s 40th anniversary, 2022, photo by Martin Ollman © Lindy Lee Lindy Lee
review
Visual Arts
John McDonald

Is the National Art Gallery’s $14m purchase worth it?

Australia’s leading art critic John McDonald runs his eye over the most expensive work ever purchased by the National Gallery and asks: ‘Is it worth it?’

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Ravinder Reddy, The Head… A Bangkok icon
review
Culture
John McDonald

Exploring the art of an earth under attack

JOHN McDONALD: From Beethoven being conducted to a hearing-impaired choir to swimming with tigers in high heels - there’s no shortage of artistic ambition in the environmentally-minded Bangkok Art Biennale.

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René Magritte’s 1952 painting, ‘The sirens' song’ (Le chant des sirènes.
review
Culture
John McDonald

Hats off to surrealist whose images permeated 20th century

JOHN McDONALD: Australia’s best-known art critic explores the stunning surrealist world of René Magritte.

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Madoda Fani.
Visual Arts
Will Yeoman

Rich convergence of international culture lands in Australia

The cultures of six Indian Ocean countries — India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, South Africa and Australia — are coming to Australia via an incredible exhibition.

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Artist Laura Jones has won the 2024 Archibald Prize for her portrait of author Tim Winton. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)
Visual Arts
Liz Hobday

Laura Jones' portrait of Tim Winton wins the Archibald

Artist Laura Jones has won Australia's most prestigious art award, the Archibald Prize, with a portrait of author Tim Winton.

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Matt Adnate's portrait of Yolngu rapper Danzal Baker has won the Archibald Packing Room Prize. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)
Visual Arts
Samantha Lock

Archibald season kicks off with Indigenous rapper win

A portrait of an Indigenous musician has taken out the Packing Room Prize as judging for the country's most prestigious art award moves into its final stages.

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The King, the King and I: Jonathan Yeo and King Charles at the unveiling of his controversial official portrait.
Opinion
Simon Collins

Jonathan Yeo’s painting of King Charles is bloody brilliant

I’m no fan of the royal family, but the red-hued first official portrait of the British monarch rules, OK?

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The loss of Mo, Evie and Otis Maslin in the MH17 tragedy is etched on a nation’s soul. On Mother’s Day almost 10 years later, their mum shares her story of hope and resilience through art and daughter Violet.
Western Australia
Jade Jurewicz

How Marite Norris came back to life after her world ended

The loss of Mo, Evie and Otis Maslin in the MH17 tragedy is etched on a nation’s soul. Almost 10 years later, their mum shares her story of hope and resilience through art and daughter Violet.

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Richard Serra became world-renowned for his large-scale steel structures.
Visual Arts
Susan Haigh and Tran Nguyen

‘Poet of iron’: Famed American sculptor Richard Serra dies

American artist Richard Serra, the "poet of iron" whose enormous steel sculptures have adorned outdoor spaces around the world, has died at 85.

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Sydney-born painter Ralph Heimans is unveiling his first major Australian exhibition.
Visual Arts
Liz Hobday

Royal portraitist's debut Aussie show fit for a king

Portrait painter Ralph Heimans, who has painted Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Mary of Denmark, is holding his first major exhibition in Australia.

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Artist Callum Preston says his recreation of a 1990s style video store is a kind of 'time travel'. (HANDOUT/IMMIGRATION MUSEUM)
Visual Arts
Liz Hobday

The 90s Friday night video store ritual is back

Artist Callum Preston has brought back the era of VHS tapes and laminated membership cards.

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Yhonnie Scarce draws inspiration from annual visits to her South Australian birthplace of Woomera.
Visual Arts
Liz Hobday

Artist's glass clouds bring dark truths into the light

Artist Yhonnie Scarce is staging her biggest survey show yet, using blown glass to shed light on some dark topics.

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Former NBA player Carmelo Anthony near the artwork of Nelson Makamo at his home in Westchester, New York, on Oct. 27, 2023.
Visual Arts
The New York Times

Why top athletes are becoming players in the art market

Professional athletes have grown more serious about buying art in recent years, and their fame has helped make them taste-makers with the ability to help drive interest in contemporary art.

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Anneke Jamieson's painting of a breastfeeding soldier now hangs in Australian War Memorial. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)
Visual Arts
Stephanie Gardiner

The art prize that’s giving veterans a new lease on life

Napier Waller prize winners say art changed the trajectory of their lives after the military. The award highlights the experiences of defence force personnel.

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