Gary has a chat with artist Julie Nicholson about her show, Nostalgia, opening May 21st at CBD Gallery in Sydney.

Julie has recently exhibited with CBD Gallery at the Aotearoa Art Fair (NZ), and her work has been widely recognised in national awards such as the Paddington Art Prizre and the Muswellbrook, and held in private collections in Australia and overseas. She co-hosts the popular arts podcast, Art Wank.

Her duo solo exhibition, Nostalgia, stems from a sense of homesickness after moving from the UK to Australia at the age of 23. A deep sense of nostalgia has shaped her life, and only recently did she discover that nostalgia was once considered a disease. The works in this exhibition sit within that tension, posing the question of whether nostalgia is something that nurtures us, or something that holds us back.

Many of the canvases in the exhibition are split across multiple panels, reflecting the fractured experience of trying to locate familiarity within a foreign landscape. Moments of recognition such as sketching in Berrima in the Southern Highlands, where the landscape can feel momentarily like home are interrupted by distinctly Australian elements, like a palm tree or native plant, which jolt her back into the awareness of distance and displacement.

Julie has also titled many of the works using Old English words for landscape elements—such as weald, meaning forest. This reflects her interest in etymology and the evolution of language over time. Just as words shift, fall out of use, and take on new meanings, her understanding of the Australian landscape has also changed. Language, like memory, holds a connection to the past while continually adapting to the present, mirroring her experience of navigating place, identity, and belonging.

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Brett McMahon is a Newcastle-based painter whose work explores the structures and rhythms of the natural and built environment. Represented by Nanda Hobbs, McMahon has built a significant practice spanning painting, drawing and installation.

His work is known for its distilled, abstract language, bold lines, shifting geometries and a strong sense of spatial tension. Drawing from the coastal bush, industrial architecture and lived experience of place, his paintings sit somewhere between observation and reconstruction, where landscape becomes structure.

Over a career spanning more than three decades, McMahon has held over 30 solo exhibitions and exhibited widely across Australia and internationally. His work is held in public, corporate and private collections across Australia, Europe, Asia and the United States. 

In this conversation, we talk about painting as a way of thinking, the role of environment in shaping visual language, and how a practice evolves over time without losing its core concerns. We also get into scale, material and the push and pull between control and intuition in the studio.

Brett is represented by Nanda Hobbs in Sydney

Brett's show at Gosford Art Gallery Understory, opens 16th May 2026

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With a practice that integrates sculpture, moving image, performance and painting, Sydney based artist Todd Fuller is, at his core, a draughtsman. Underpinning all aspects of his practice is a love of drawing and a belief in its power as a democratic medium to connect, engage and delight audiences. 

For ten years, Fuller has been crafting hand-drawn animations that grapple with love and loss, as well as ideas of place, identity and community. Often narrative in form, these award winning works are derived from Fuller’s experiences with different communities, sites and histories. He has been awarded a number of residencies that have informed and developed his practice, including time spent at Bundanon Trust, Hill End, Grafton Regional Art Gallery, as well as international stints at the Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris, the British School of Rome, and recently the NG Creative Residency in Provence.

A graduate of Sydney’s National Art School, Fuller has exhibited widely across Australia over the last ten years. He was a finalist in the 2019 Sir John Sulman Prize, won the prestigious Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award in 2018, and his work is present in various public and private Australian collections, including the Parliament House Art Collection, Artbank, Sydney Harbour Trust, and numerous regional art galleries. Alongside his national success, Fuller has gained international attention, with his works in exhibitions in the United States, Italy, France, South Korea, Bangladesh, England, Singapore and Malta.

Fuller’s practice extends into curatorship and arts production, having held roles with Waverley Council, Biennale of Sydney, Sculpture in the Vineyards and d/Lux Media Arts. The areas under investigation within his curatorial practice overlap with his artistic output. Just Draw, the 2016 exhibition Fuller curated with Lisa Woolfe, which toured regional galleries, showcased artworks that exemplified the varied nature of contemporary drawing practices, a subject close to Fuller’s heart. He is one half of interdisciplinary performance collective Flatline, and one third of the Hardenvale - our home in Absurdia touring initiative.

Find out more from his website 

https://www.toddfuller.com.au

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Antonia Perricone Mrjak invited us to interview herself and fellow studio mates so we said yes! We focussed on shared studio space as the theme. It was a really interesting chat about what they love and hate about sharing a space. A shared studio space creates a community for artists, a source of inspiration and a support network. Of course we wanted to move in y the end of the conversation.

We recorded the interview at Nanda Hobbs so thanks to Ralph Hobbs and staff.

list of artists interviewed -

Antonia Perricone Mrjak
Marissa Purcell
Graziela Guardino
Michael Simms
Annalisa Ferraris
Caroline Zilinksy

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Thanks to Catherine O'Donnell for speaking to us in her lunchbreak from teaching at the National Art School. We spoke to Catherine about her drawing practice, coming to art later in life, judging an art prize, and her love of the fibro shack! 

She has an exhibition coming up at Campbelltown Arts Centre in July and at Dominik Mersch in August. 

'Essentially my artist practice is about the beauty of the uncelebrated and ordinary.

My drawings an exploration of the architecture, culture and history in the everyday-ness of the urban environment. I see the suburbs as full of connection and disconnection, sameness and difference; in short, my drawings examine suburban living as a site of complexity. I am particularly interested in the way that the vernacular architecture and general street scapes of the places we regularly inhabit become recessed into our minds like wallpaper -they are at once visible and invisible.

It is the architecture of the suburban landscape which is the subject in my drawings. The absence of the representation of people in the drawings encourages viewers to consider the architecture from their own view point, perhaps igniting their own memories of suburban living. My drawings whilst uninhabited still capture traces of human intervention with narrative elements embedded in the commonplace structures: an open window; a door ajar.

My drawings are clearly representational but the realism in my work is not merely a reproduction of the visible. It is the elevation of the abstract form, the underpinning geometry and the distillation of the spatial composition that interests me. To this end I extract the building from its surroundings, deleting extraneous information, in order to emphasize the simplified form and obtain the final image. I use representation as a catalyst to ignite the imagination of the viewer and invite them to look beyond the mundane and banal. To revisit these spaces imaginatively and find the aesthetic poetry embedded within in the suburban landscape, while at the same time disrupting cultural prejudices which prevent people from seeing the underlying elegance of these simple buildings.'

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Thanks so much to Angus Fisher who picked us up from Patonga Wharf in his boat with his dog, to whizz us round to his home and studio on Dangar Island! It was such a special day out, we loved it. We also met his lovely wife and baby. We missed the ferry home from Patonga and were forced to have lunch at The Boathouse Patonga, such a shame!!!

We spoke to Angus about his love of drawing, printmaking and teaching. He is a wonderful man who is passionate about his practice.

'Angus Fisher’s art practice investigates nature and humankind’s relationship with the natural world. For Fisher, the idea of nature is a not a static term, but an evolving concept. Through the detailed study of history and natural subject matter, his work grapples with the idea of how nature exists, and has existed, in human imagination. Fisher does not only investigate ecology through his subjects, but the evolving attitudes and changing philosophical interpretations of the wider natural world. Primarily working with etching and drawing, he utilises traditional working techniques, methodologies and aesthetics to place his work in direct connection to historical contexts and traditions.'

Angus is represented by Australian Galleries in Australia and Jonathan Cooper Gallery in the UK

Links -
Sydney printmakers
Image for Dobell
Image for Hawkesbury Art Prize winning piece 

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What a great episode with artist, Tony Mighell, at his home and studio. Tony is extremely well read on the subject of art and artists, we could have talked for hours. We loved hearing about the NY Studio School when Tony attended in the 1970's, it sounded amazing. He also became the studio assistant of artist Roger Kemp.  Tony worked at the MCA in Sydney for 10 years as the manager of installations, and tells some fascinating stories about his time there. 

Since 2015 Tony has been concentration on his own practice and is now represented by gallery Nanda Hobbs in Sydney.

We hope you love this conversation as much as we did.

Thanks Tony.

Links to some of the artists tony mentioned -

Roger Kemp
Frederick Thursz
Robert Motherwell
Mercedes Matters

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Thanks you Emily Besser for your time and sharing your stories. You can find out more about Emily on her website.

https://www.emilybesser.com

or her instagram

https://www.instagram.com/emilybesser/?hl=en

You can find out more about Nicole Barakat workshop in the following link.

http://www.nicolebarakat.com.au/learn

Emily was also featured in Amber Creswell Bell’s new book, Australian Abstract!

Her upcoming show, 'Ground',  at Boom gallery opens 27th April - 21st May

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We interviewed Ali Tahayori at his home and studio in Newtown, Sydney, a long way from his hometown of Shiraz, Iran. Ali moved to Australia from Iran in 2007 after imprisonment and torture for being gay became unsustainable to remain in his homeland .  We discovered Ali at the NAS MFA Exhibition where he showed his impressive broken mirror artworks and video installation.

'Born and raised in the oppressively homophobic climate of 1980s Iran, Ali Tahayori assumed the identity of an outsider, further compounded by his migration to Australia in 2007. Combing fractured mirrors with text and imagery, his recent works draw on ancient Iranian philosophies about light and mirrors to create kaleidoscopic experiences; moments of both revelation and concealment hint at the conflicted nature of his identity. 

Translating the traditional Iranian craft of Āine-Kāri (mirror-works) into a contemporary visual vocabulary, his practice skillfully combines a discourse about diaspora and displacement with an exploration of queerness – in both cases, poignantly testifying to his experience of being othered. He holds a Doctorate in Medicine, a Graduate Diploma in Photography, and a Master of Fine Arts in Photomedia from Sydney’s National Art School. His work has been extensively exhibited in Iran, Europe and Australia.'

Ali is also a photographer, winning the 2022 Prix Yves Hernot Photography Award and in 2021 the peoples choice winner Bowness Photography award.  Ali continues working as a rehabilitation doctor in Sydney whilst being a very busy artist.

Congratulations Ali, your work is so multi-layered in meaning and beauty that we think you have a very long career ahead of you.

You can see Ali's work in his upcoming show, 'The Sky is the Same',  at Gosford Regional Art Gallery from April 1-June 4 2023. Opening Friday 14 April at 6pm. 

He is represented by This Is No Fantasy in Melbourne. 

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Many thanks to Trevor Victor Harvey from Harvey Galleries for an enlightening chat

You can find Trevor and his marvellous team on their website -

https://harveygalleries.com.au

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Many thanks for talking to us Mary Tonkin

To find out more about this Artist check out her instagram

https://www.instagram.com/mary.tonkin/?hl=en

or with Australian Galleries who represents her https://australiangalleries.com.au/artists/mary-tonkin/

'Landscape painter Mary Tonkin completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) in 1995 and a Master of Fine Arts in 2002 at Monash University, where she has also lectured. Tonkin has held solo exhibitions in Melbourne and Sydney since 1999. Her work has been included in group exhibitions at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery and internationally in New York. A survey exhibition titled ‘Home’ was held at Burrinja Gallery in the Dandenong’s in 2012. Tonkin was awarded the National Gallery of Victoria Trustee award in 1994 and 1995 and Dobell drawing prize in 2002. She was the recipient of the Elizabeth Greenshield foundation grant in 1998 and Australian post-graduate fellowship award in 2000. Tonkin’s work is held by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney; the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne; the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, VIC and several regional and tertiary institutions.'

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Many thanks to Art Advisor Michael Powe for your time talking to us.

Michael’s business is Anala Art Advisory.

https://analaartadvisory.com.au

Johnny Romeos show, Cloud 9, is opening on Friday 10 March in Melbourne at West End Art Space.
https://westendartspace.com.au/exhibitions_details/johnny-romeo-pop-popart/

‘When it comes to capturing this overwhelming sense of being high on life, few expressions exude with the same joy and wide-eyed wonderment as ‘Cloud 9’. According to some linguists, the concept of Cloud 9 originates from the categorization of the world’s largest cloud, the Cumulonimbus, as a Level 9 cloud in the 1896 ‘International Cloud Atlas’. Others have suggested that the term was inspired by the ninth cloud in the journey of the Bodhissatva, considered to be the penultimate step to Enlightenment in Buddhism. Within the context of the series, Romeo masterfully combines the lofty grandeur of being on top of the world with a sense of spiritual ecstasy to express his own Cloud 9 philosophy, which encourages us to embrace life to the fullest in order to experience true joy.’

Curated by Michael Powe 

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Many thanks to Artist Ali Noble for your time. You can find out more about Ali on her website or instagram. Good luck with your Masters!

Ali Noble’s primary interest is the discourse of textiles; which she frequently explores alongside the aesthetics of abstract formalism and mysticism. Ali’s current work, as part of her MFA research, is connected to an ongoing enquiry into the transgressive spirit of textile architecture, or curtains. Together, textiles and space provoke discussions that explore sensuality, transformation, normative domesticity, and time.

https://www.alinoble.com

https://www.instagram.com/alinoble11/

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Sanne Mestrom’s sculptural practice explores the politics of the body and the shifting nature of value in the art world. Drawing on the female form, her work questions how art history and culture assign meaning and worth—values that are never fixed, but constantly evolving.

By taking these ideas out of the gallery and into public space, Mestrom uses play and participation to challenge how we experience art and urban environments. Her large-scale, playable sculptures invite hands-on engagement, blurring the line between art and everyday life while activating public spaces intellectually, physically, and imaginatively across generations.

Thanks Sanne, it was a pleasure to talk to you. 

Sanné Mestrom
Represented by Sullivan + Strumpf, Sydney
Lectures at Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney
Australian Research Council Fellow ART/PLAY/RISK

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Many thanks to Cybele for welcoming us into her home and studio very close to us in Avalon Beach. 

'Cybele Cox’s practise explores ancient feminine symbols and occult mysticism, which is part of a larger enquiry into representations of women in the western art canon. Using hand built ceramic totems and figures, painting, drawing and more recently costume, Cox seeks to re-invoke occult practices of an imagined ancestral lineage. She makes the proposition that magic and ritual have been dismissed by the secular nature of Western society, which overlooks the importance of the spiritual realm and altered mental states. Making figurative sculpture is a means of entry into a mystical realm, which embodies hybridity of human-body-animal, fusing symbols from the mythic world with fantasies for a new feminist order. Her work proposes a return to occult knowledge, as a re-flowering of the spiritual.'

Thanks for talking to us Cybele.

Cybele is represented by Yavuz Gallery

Warning: please be advised this episode contains content of sexual abuse. 

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Christopher Hodges artist and gallerist from the fabulous Utopia gallery many thanks for the chance to chat art at your gallery.  Christopher will be exhibiting at Utopia gallery from Feb 4-26th in there, ‘Thirty Five’, show celebrating 35 years of Utopia Sydney. Congratulations!! 

To find out more about Christopher check out his website here.

https://www.christopherahodges.com

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Many thanks to Amber Boardman for your time talking to us about the show Fair Play currently showing at Manly Regional Gallery. You can find out more about the exhibition with the following link.
https://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/whats-on/fair-play

If you would like to find out more about Amber

https://www.amberboardman.com

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Melanie Vugich is an Australian artist giving the still life genre a modern twist.

She is a still life painter from Broken Hill, who lived in Florence, Italy for 25 years designing textiles. She has recently collaborated with the fashion designer, Oscar De La Renta, for a collection using her paintings as prints. Her paintings feature flowers, books, fruits and vases she has collected from her time in Broken Hill.

Her sister, Lisa, is her manager, which is very cool, and we think everyone should have a Lisa!!

You can see Melanie's work at Twentytwentysix Gallery in Bondi from 24th Jan - 12th Feb.

Thanks Mel, so great to meet you and talk to you. 

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Many thanks to Josh for having us to his studio - to find out more about Josh you can go to his website.

Josh describes his work as referencing our experience of peripheral vision of the local world but describes our visual experience as being truncated and redacted - as we are living on our phones and our experiences with visual media are so fleeting and sporadic and perhaps people will contemplate the world more by viewing his artwork.

https://www.joshuacharadia.com/cv 

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https://elladreyfus.com/weight-and-seaTo find out more about Ella Dreyfus check out her website

https://elladreyfus.com

or her instagram
https://www.instagram.com/ella_dreyfus/

To find out more about her artwork in Sculpture by the Sea https://elladreyfus.com/weight-and-sea
and Ellas latest Film Dreyfus-drei look here
https://elladreyfus.com/dreyfus-drei-film

Many thanks Ella for a great chat. 

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We spoke to Giles Alexander from his  St. Peters studio.  His painting practice strives to understand, 'us', and 'belonging' and in turn, the universe. Hence, Giles's fascination with planets and space. 

'Giles Alexander’s art practice explores the visual discourse of belonging. He asks us how we find a sense of belonging in a city, a country, the world, and the universe. Alexander’s humanist preoccupations have led to a multi-disciplinary practice marked by the high production value and technical skill. The artist is conscious that the questions he ponders - around belonging, origin, and the universe - have absorbed humanity since we encountered the power of thought.'

Giles is represented by Olsen Gallery and Mars Gallery. 

NB: we talked about Vantablack, a blackest black paint made and trademarked exclusively by the artist, Amish Kapoor, for his sole use. Another artist, Stuart Semple, has made his own blackest black paint, in retaliation, for everyone can use except Anish Kapoor! 

Thanks, Giles, we really enjoyed our chat and hope everyone does too! 

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Thank you to Joanna Logue for a fabulous chat - we so enjoyed talking with you and could not wait to get back to the studio to paint, you were so inspiring and generous.

You can find out more about Joanna's art practise on her website https://www.joannalogue.com

or her instagram https://www.instagram.com/joannalogue/?hl=en

You can see Joanna's work at https://kingstreetgallery.com.au

Her show Echo is on until 22 December at Kings Street Gallery in Darlinghurst Sydney. 

Congratulations Joanna on a beautiful show. 

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We love Troy Emery's work, his playful, soft sculptures are so extraordinary and tactile, when we saw them at the Art Pharmacy office we had to touch them!! Martin Browne Contemporary in Sydney represents him. We talked to Troy over zoom as he is based in Melbourne, about taxidermy, natural history museums, materials, degradation of nature, Hermes windows, and much more!! We also talked to Troy about his sculptural paintings.   

Troy will be at 2022 Sydney Contemporary so get down to Carriageworks to see his work in the flesh. 

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Bernard is currently on show at Trevor Victor Harvey Galleries in Seaforth until 26 November 2022 - https://www.instagram.com/trevorvictorharvey/?hl=en

Bernard Ollis is an artist of immense talent and knowledge - it was a pleasure to go and chat with him on the podcast - his studio is a riot of colour filled with awesome art works in paint, oil pastel of all manor of fabulous spaces around the world. Bernard was kind enough to share some of his stories of his vast career in the Arts. This podcast is a must listen for all aspiring and emerging artists.


Learn about Bernard Ollis on his website
http://www.bernardollis.com

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Join Australian abstract artist Gene A’Hern, winner of the 2025 Sir John Sulman Prize, for a laid-back conversation about colour, atmosphere and the feeling of landscape. Gene talks openly about his process, working on instinct, and what it’s like to be recognised on one of Australia’s biggest art stages. It’s an easy, thoughtful chat about memory, place and how those ideas turn into bold, expressive abstract paintings. 

We recorded the epiosde at the end of 2025 in his studio in Emu Plains. 

Thanks Gene, we loved talking to you and seeing your work in the studio! 

Gene is represented by Cassandra Bird in Sydney

and Simchowitz Gallery, LA, USA

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We spoke to Sarah Robson at Manly Art Gallery and Museum, surrounded by her current exhibition, Abstract Realities: The MAG&M Project, alongside artists Julian Goddard (Perth), and David Thomas (Melbourne). This exhibition brings together three artists, to create site-sensitive installations that are temporal, open, and sensory. In addition to their own works, the artists have selected works from public and private collections to consider the fundamental role of contemporary abstraction.

Abstract Realities invites the viewer to experience abstract art as a unique way of questioning and revealing the seeming complexity of being in the world.

We had a deep dive with Sarah about the role of abstract art in the world and how it can be perceived as elitist and not understood. Sarah recently completed her Ph.D. and we spoke to her about undertaking a doctorate and what she gained from the in-depth study.

Thanks, Sarah we really enjoyed the chat. you can see the exhibition at Manly Art gallery until December 4th so get down and walk through the experience! 

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Many thanks to Helen Earl Ceramic artist from NSW. Helen creates ceramics from clay with found objects. They are transitory experience of being in the world. 

Her website is
https://www.helenearl.com

Or you can find out more on her instagram
https://www.instagram.com/helenearlart/

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Abdul Abdullah is one of Australia's leading artists and we were lucky enough to meet and interview him at his studio in St. Leonards, shortly before he moves to Bangkok, Thailand.

'Abdul Abdullah is an Australian multi-disciplinary artist. As a self-described ‘outsider amongst outsiders’ with a post-9/11 mindset, his practice is primarily concerned with the experience of the ‘other’. Abdullah’s projects have engaged with different marginalized minority groups and he is particularly interested in the disjuncture between perception/projection of identity and the reality of lived experience. Identifying as a Muslim and having both Malay/Indonesian and convict/settler Australian heritage, Abdullah occupies a precarious space in the political discourse that puts him at odds with popular definitions. He sees himself as an artist working in the peripheries of a peripheral city, in a peripheral country, orbiting a world on the brink. His work has been censored by politicians who have accused him of attacking Australian culture, and once a member of the Christian Democratic party wrote that he wants to “convert young Australians” and that he “worships a moon god”.'

Abdul is represented at Yavuz Gallery, Sydney, and internationally. 

Thanks, Abdul for your time, we really appreciate it. 

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Scott McCracken is an artist from the UK we met through the Turps Banana art school.

You can find out more about Scott on his website
https://www.scottmccracken.co.uk

His work is hard to distill or describe you could call him a painter of still life or even a surrealist or abstract painter. Scott talked to us about many great  in this chat and talks to us about making art, his process and what he has learnt over his arts education and his arts career.

He mentioned an artist who he really admires called Victor Willing - link below.

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/victor-willing-2150

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Marnie Ross is well known for being the founder of the Little Things Art prize that is celebrating its 8th year - go check it out it is is currently (opens 14th September 2022) on show at https://saintcloche.com

You can find out more about Marnie and the Little Things Art prize on her website

http://www.marnierossartist.com

The medium Marnie talks about is from Matisse - https://www.matisse.com.au/mm20-water-based-patina

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Wendy Sharpe needs no introduction, but here's one anyway!!

'Wendy Sharpe is one of Australia’s most acclaimed artists, she lives and works in Sydney and Paris. She has been awarded The Sulman Prize, two Travelling Scholarships, The Portia Geach Memorial Award (twice), The Archibald Prize, and many others. She has been a finalist in The Sulman Prize thirteen times, and The Archibald Prize eight times. She has held over 65 solo exhibitions around Australia and internationally.'

We talked to Wendy in her fantastic studio in Sydney, surrounded by all her paintings and drawings. Our conversation was so interesting, covering Wendy's career, her upcoming book with author Kate Forsyth , how to find your own voice in your artwork, and much more....

Thanks so much, Wendy, we loved meeting you!

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David Fairbairn lives and works in Wedderbern not far from Campbelltown with artist and partner Suzanne Archer. We were excited to go back to their amazing home and studios to interview David a few weeks ago.

We had an in-depth discussion with David about his upbringing, growing up in Africa, boarding school in England and finally reaching the sunny climes of Australia in his early 30’s. We spoke to him about his art practice, teaching art,  and recently joining the fold at Nanda Hobbs in Sydney.

David’s work will be at Sydney Contemporary, opening Thursday the 9th and we are very excited to see it there! 

Thanks, David, always a pleasure to talk to you and Suzanne in your wonderful home.

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Ember Fairbairn has based herself primarily in Melbourne and Queensland, satisfying her love of contemporary culture and the need to be immersed in remote parts of nature. Fairbairn’s practice focuses primarily on painting and she holds a Masters in Contemporary Art. Ember is based in the Yarra Valley.

Her exhibiting history spans from 2001 in both solo and group shows in artist run spaces and commercial galleries in Melbourne, Sydney, Singapore and New York. Awards include The 2020 Athenaeum Club visual Arts Research Award (2020), Gogo Art Series Award (2019) , Art150 Travelling Scholarship (2019), The Ravenswood Art prize for women (Finalist). Residencies include Montsalvat Art Centre and Yea Arts Festival.

'Within Fairbairn’s painting practice is an influence of nature, where she explores the metaphysical philosophy of ecology and her own body. The result is something akin to art as meditation; each consideration of process, colours, gestures playing out until the artist finds a resolution. The works reveal themselves in active gestures or layers of paint. They reveal a belonging, connecting Fairbairn’s time in the landscape, and evolving within nature. Spending time in nature becomes a meditation on being present in the moment, a feeling that comes through in her paintings, each gesture a methodology of grounding.'


You can find out more about Ember on her instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/emberfairbairn/

Also if you would like to book in here is the link to the Orpheum
Audience with an artist LIVE ...

https://www.movietkts.com.au/selecttickets.php?siteCode=CREMRN&sessionIndex=188880

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Tiarna Herczeg is one to watch - she is a young indigenous Artist from Sydney.


The best place to learn about her is on her social media pages
https://www.instagram.com/tiarna.herczeg/

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We really loved our chat with Peter Sharp! Very inspiring talk and we learned so much from Peter who was very generous with his words and the pastries he bought us!! We interviewed Peter in his studio in Sydney and talked about his teaching, his upcoming show, Fowlers Gap, being an artist, and much more..

Peter is represented by Nicholas Thompson gallery in Melbourne and his new show, Signal, opens on August 20th so get down there and check out his fantastic work. 

thanks so much for your time and support, Peter, we really appreciate it. 

'Peter Sharp has held solo exhibitions since 1989 in Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Melbourne and internationally in Germany. His work has been included in group exhibitions since 1987 throughout Australia and internationally in Paris, Chang Mai, Beijing and London. Sharp is a senior lecturer at the University of New South Wales School of Art and Design and has a Master of Fine Arts (1992) from the College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales. His work was acquired by the Kedumba Drawing Award in 2007 and the Grafton Regional Gallery's Jacaranda Drawing Award in 1996. Sharp was a recipient of a Cite International des Arts Residence, Paris in 1997. A monograph Peter Sharp: Will to Form was published in 2012. Sharp has been a finalist in the Paddington Art Prize (2020, 13, 08), the Hazelhurst Art of Paper Prize (2019, 15, 13, 11, 07, 05, 03), the Adelaide Perry Drawing Prize (2018, 10, 06), the Dobell Prize (2010, 09), the Sulman Prize (2008, 98) and the Wynne Prize (2003, 96). His work is held in the collections of the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Artbank, regional and tertiary collections in Australia and significant corporate collections.' - Nicholas Thompson gallery

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In this episode of Artwank, we visit Bundanon to discuss the current exhibition, 'The Hidden Line The Art of the Boyd Women', with curator Sophie O’Brien. The exhibition brings attention to the women of the Boyd family (Arthur Boyd was a celebrated Australian artist, leaving his home, the Bundanon estate, to support the arts) and their role in Australian art and cultural life. While the Boyd name is often associated with male artists, this show focuses on the work, lives and influence of the women who shaped the legacy in ways that have often been overlooked.

Sophie O’Brien joins us to talk through the curatorial process behind the exhibition. She reflects on how the project developed, how works and archival materials were selected, and the challenges of representing multiple generations of women across different creative practices. The conversation explores what it means to reframe established art histories and how institutions like Bundanon can open space for stories that have not always been centred.

Sophie O’Brien is a curator at Bundanon where she works across exhibitions, collections and research. She has held roles at major public institutions and has worked on a wide range of projects spanning historical and contemporary art. Her practice is grounded in close engagement with artists, archives and place, with a focus on bringing new perspectives to existing collections.

This episode looks at the labour of curating, the gaps that still exist in art history and how exhibitions like The Boyd Women can shift public understanding of legacy, authorship and recognition. It is a conversation about process, responsibility and the ongoing work of making space for women within cultural narratives.

Thanks for chatting to us Sophie

Recorded November 2025

Exhibition on until 15th February 2026

'The Hidden Line: Art of the Boyd Women repositions the creative practices of five generations of women from one of Australia’s most prominent artistic dynasties. Showcasing more than 300 powerful and diverse works, this timely exhibition brings into focus the women of the Boyd family – artists, designers, writers, and creative collaborators – whose contributions have long been influential yet overshadowed by their celebrated male counterparts.
Revealing a remarkable matrilineal line of artistic practices, the exhibition will present works by Emma Minnie a’Beckett Boyd, Lady Mary Nolan, Yvonne Boyd, Lucy Boyd Beck, Hermia Boyd and their descendents still practicing today including Lucy Boyd, Polly Boyd, Florence Boyd Williams and Ellen Boyd Green. Drawn largely from the Bundanon Collection, with key loans from the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, the National Library, and Heide Museum of Modern Art, the exhibition spans pain

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Shuffle Studios is in Brookvale. 

To find out more about Tony check out his website.

https://www.shufflestudio.com/ 

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Spoiler alert - Nick Bishop is brilliant!!!

In this episode, he explains, how the NFT world can assist artists and galleries in fantastic ways. Nick explains the different layers of the web3 world, blockchain and NFTs in such an understandable way.

He runs a web3 venture capitalist company with three partners, Not Centralised. They will be holding a talk at Manly Art Gallery or the Northern Beaches council's creative open, on August 17th 6-8 pm. 'Metaverse and NFTs - the future of art and the value it unlocks.' Curious to know more about how art crosses over into technology and finance? Want to discover the world of NFTs (non-fungible tokens)? Here’s your place to start, with a presentation and conversation led by NFT/Metaverse experts Simo Leonelli, Sam Joel, Nick Bishop, and Mark Monfort.

link to Violeta Sofia 

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Element Ensemble is an improvisational sound experience by Peta Morris, Noah Bloom, Finlay Hogan and guest artists. 

Immerse yourself in soundscapes and visual projections inspired by the local environment and created by Element Ensemble, a three-piece improvisational music group.

See Element ensemble perform as part of the creative open on August 13th 7-8 pm at Curl Curl Creative Space, 105 Abbott Rd, Nth Curl Curl NSW 2099. Book online for tickets here. Bring a pillow to sit on, chairs will be provided if needed.

The podcast was recorded by Fiona, as Julie was unwell,  at Noah's house on the Northern Beaches. 

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We spoke to Ash at her studio and gallery space, Hake House of Art, in Brookvale. She is a young vibrant artist with a smart head on her shoulders, once represented by a gallery, she decided to go it on her own, and the results have proved she made the right decision.

We spoke to her about being a 4th generation artist, setting up a gallery space, colour psychology, techniques, overseas residencies, and much more...

Hake House of Art is taking part in the Northern Beaches Council Creative Open, on August 13th and 14th so head down and check out the studio spaces and see a group exhibition of fantastic artists. 1/275 Harbord Road, Dee Why, 2099. 9-3pm

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Many thanks to LOTTIE Consalvo for speaking to us on zoom - we enjoyed the chat very much sorry if the Audio is not great - rain rain go away.

You can find out about LOTTIE Consalvo on her website

https://www.lottieconsalvo.com

Lottie instagram feed https://www.instagram.com/lottieconsalvo/

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Aidan Gageler is a recent graduate of Camberwell Arts College in London, graduating with a 1st in Fine Art Photography. Since moving back to Newcastle, Australia, he has taken a job at Bundanon Trust and is taking his time thinking and talking about his art practice.

After finding old photography paper in a flea market in Poland, he explored the possibilities of developing the paper and using them to create an artwork in itself, no longer taking the photos but using the photographic process instead.

We really enjoyed our chat with Aidan and we hope to catch up again when we get a chance to visit Bundanon. Aidan's show will be on at the Onwards Gallery in Newcastle in August so go check it out. 

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Brett Piva artist  and super community arts man of Newcastle.

 Find out about Brett on his website

https://www.brettpiva.com

You can find out about his group space Onwards here

https://www.onwardsgallery.com

Many thanks Brett 

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It's difficult to describe the work of James Drinkwater, he really is indefinable. His confidence and talent shine in his work, bold and edgy, full of energy and texture.

James was always destined to be an artist as we discovered in our chat, an aunt providing the nurturing and example to become an artist alongside a close and loving family. He won the Brett Whiteley scholarship in 2014, propelling him further into a dynamic career. He is represented by two major galleries, Nanda Hobbs, Sydney, and Nicholas Thompson, Melbourne.

'James Drinkwater studied at the National Art School, Sydney (2001) and has held solo exhibitions since 2004 in Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle, and internationally in London and Singapore. A survey exhibition The sea calls me by name was held at Newcastle Art Gallery in 2019.

James Drinkwater’s work has been included in group exhibitions throughout Australia and internationally in Berlin, Leipzig, and London. He has been awarded the Brett Whiteley Travelling Scholarship (2014), the John Olsen National Art School Life Drawing Prize (2002) and has been a finalist in the Wynne Prize, Sulman Prize, John Glover Art Prize, Paddington Art Prize, Doug Moran Portrait Prize, Dobell Drawing Prize, and the Salon de Refuses.

James Drinkwater has undertaken international residencies in Germany, Kenya, Paris, and Tahiti. His work is held in the collections of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Artbank, and several significant regional and tertiary collections.'

He has recently embarked on a new project creating a ballet inspired by William Dobell’s, ‘Storm approaching Wangi’, to be performed at Lake Macquarie's MAP Mima in November. We cant wait to see it!  
.
He also has an exhibition coming up at Nicholas Thompon in Melbourne coming up - 27 JUL TO 13 AUG.

Thanks to James for having us and Ben Adams for the Photos! 

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Harriett Watts many thanks for welcoming us into your studio. Harriet has always been interested in change and ephemerality - she is fascinated about materials and how we can become more focused on sustainability. 

You can find out more about Harriett on her instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/hettywatts/?hl=en

or on linked in

https://au.linkedin.com/in/harriet-watts-587649118?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

The art show at the V&A called Food that Fiona mentioned can be read about here https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/about-the-exhibition-food-bigger-than-the-plate

To learn about The forty-nine studio have a look at the instagram
https://www.instagram.com/thefortyninestudio/?hl=en

The artist in UK who re

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Tara Axford welcomed us into her home in Sydney last week to talk with us about her work, and her 25-year career as art director of publications such as The Good Weekend magazine.

'As a mixed media artist working with prints, collage, mixed media, fibre arts, and photography, I am interested in the push-pull of constantly searching for something... Are we developing something new or are we constantly referencing and influenced by the past?I draw inspiration from my surrounds, I find patterns, textures, imperfections. The forgotten, the weathered, the discarded appeal to me. '

We talked to Tara about working full time and making time for art, her process of collecting her 'pocket finds' and sharing them with her large online following, her online course with Fibre Art Take Two, what success means to her, and much more.

Tara has a show at Gosford Regional Gallery on 24th June, with the Makers Studio, so go see it.

Thanks so much for talking to us, Tara, and showing us your beautiful work and studio.

Links -
Studio Print Studio printing tiny books
Blurb printing - for printing of catalogues
Pro Camera by Moment

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Today we’re bringing you a special bonus episode of Art Wank to celebrate the graduation exhibition of our very own co-host, Fiona Verity. Fiona has been knee-deep in her studies, working tirelessly to create an incredible body of work, and you can see it on display tonight at the National Art School BFA Graduation Exhibition — Thursday, 4 December from 6pm. Get yourself down there and take in everything that’s on show. 

Julie spoke to Fiona about the development of her drawing practice over her three years at NAS, how it has steadied her, focused her work, and made it quieter. Fiona talks about how much she used the NAS library, especially the drawing section, where she believes she may have borrowed more books than any other student! She also reflects on the importance of peer support and peer learning at the National Art School, and how it shapes and extends your work. Fiona has dedicated her degree show to her stepmother, who passed away earlier this year. Her grief has been worked through print, stitch, paint, and drawing based on her stepmother’s garden.

Fiona was also chosen as a finalist in the Kedumba drawing Award 2025!

We are very proud of you Fiona, cant wait to see what you do next!  

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Many thanks to Suzanne Archer for welcoming us into your home and studio. We enjoyed your hospitality and generosity so much.

Suzanne will be showing at Nicholas Thompson Gallery from 15 June to 2 July.

You can get THE BOOK - The Song of the Cicada from Nicholas Thompson Gallery. https://www.nicholasthompsongallery.com.au/artists/suzanne-archer/

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Lily Cummins is an artist from the  Southern Highlands.  We had a great chat about studying and residencies.  Her practise examines both the self and the emotive bonds and attachments

Lily feels that she attaining a Masters has given her practise a great deal of rigger,
It really helped her grow as an artist and a person to keep studying and gain a masters.

Lily studied at NAS and graduated from her masters in 2018
you can find Lily on her website
http://www.lilycummins.com

Lily is inspired and likes a huge spectrum of artists - Folk and Outsider art  James Castle, Miro, Matisee, Rachel Whiteread, William Kentridge. 

Lily also works at the new art space in the southern highlands - The fantastic space called Ngununggula in Bowral.

https://www.ngununggula.com

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Thanks to Utopia Gallery and Helen Eager for showing us your work and talking to us at your amazing studio. 

'Helen Eager has sustained a solo exhibition program for over three decades with her drawings, paintings and prints. Over the years, the shift from domestic interiors to pure abstraction has been a consistent evolution, her love of colour and light a constant thread.

Helen Eager studied at the South Australian School of Art in the 1970s. A Masters degree at COFA in the late eighties focused on large-scale works on paper, which took her drawing to a new level. A residency at the Greene St Studio in New York in 1988 was pivotal as Eager's work evolved towards pure abstraction.'

Helens work can be found on the Utopia website https://www.utopiaartsydney.com.au/artworks.php?artistID=7-Helen-Eager

  Helen is a part of Vivid this year - her work will be on the 

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