7 episodes

'Art, life and the other thing' is the controversial self-portrait that won artist Brett Whiteley the Archibald Prize in 1978. In this six-part series, acclaimed arts presenter Fenella Kernebone explores identity, addiction, legacy, feminism, place and the creative process, using seminal works from Whiteley’s oeuvre as conversational springboards with contemporary Australian artists, curators and academics.

To view the artworks mentioned in the titles go to agnsw.art/bwspodcast.

Podcast artwork - Brett Whiteley in his studios 1970 (detail), photo: Robert Walker, National Art Archive, AGNSW © Estate of Robert Walker.

Art, life and the other thing Art Gallery of New South Wales

    • Arts
    • 4.6 • 9 Ratings

'Art, life and the other thing' is the controversial self-portrait that won artist Brett Whiteley the Archibald Prize in 1978. In this six-part series, acclaimed arts presenter Fenella Kernebone explores identity, addiction, legacy, feminism, place and the creative process, using seminal works from Whiteley’s oeuvre as conversational springboards with contemporary Australian artists, curators and academics.

To view the artworks mentioned in the titles go to agnsw.art/bwspodcast.

Podcast artwork - Brett Whiteley in his studios 1970 (detail), photo: Robert Walker, National Art Archive, AGNSW © Estate of Robert Walker.

    Alchemy

    Alchemy

    This final episode talks about one of Brett Whiteley’s greatest works and one of his most significant in scale and ambition. What inspired the painting’s narrative of birth to enlightenment? What is the significance and legacy of the artist Brett Whiteley? Fenella Kernebone talks with curator Anne Ryan and Barry Pearce; Wendy Whiteley; artist Abdul Abdullah; and Whiteley's biographer Ashleigh Wilson. 

    To view this artwork, go to agnsw.art/bwspodcast

    Podcast artwork - Brett Whiteley in his studios 1970 (detail), photo: Robert Walker, National Art Archive, AGNSW © Estate of Robert Walker.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 34 min
    Sculptures of her

    Sculptures of her

    Brett Whiteley was inspired, like many artists, by the female form. How do we critique these artworks through a contemporary lens and their place in a long history of the female form being relegated to an object for the male gaze? Fenella Kernebone discusses these ideas with curator Anne Ryan; Wendy Whiteley; and artists Mitch Cairns and Deborah Kelly. 

    To view this artwork, go to agnsw.art/bwspodcast

    Podcast artwork - Brett Whiteley in his studios 1970 (detail), photo: Robert Walker, National Art Archive, AGNSW © Estate of Robert Walker.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 25 min
    The balcony 2

    The balcony 2

    This episode looks at Brett Whiteley’s iconic landscape painting 'The balcony 2' 1975, it’s a work the artist painted at his home in Lavender Bay overlooking Sydney Harbour. Fenella Kernebone discusses this most recognisable of Whiteley’s works and the genre of landscape painting with curator Anne Ryan; Wendy Whiteley; artists Nicole Kelly, Blak Douglas and Abdul Abdullah. 

    To view this artwork, go to agnsw.art/bwspodcast

    Podcast artwork - Brett Whiteley in his studios 1970 (detail), photo: Robert Walker, National Art Archive, AGNSW © Estate of Robert Walker.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 23 min
    The heroin clock

    The heroin clock

    This lesser-known artwork says a lot about Brett Whiteley and his inner struggles. Fenella Kernebone talks about artists and addiction with curator Anne Ryan; Wendy Whiteley; artists David Griggs and Natasha Walsh; and musician Steve Kilbey, lead singer of iconic Australian band The Church. 

    To view this artwork, go to agnsw.art/bwspodcast

    Podcast artwork - Brett Whiteley in his studios 1970 (detail), photo: Robert Walker, National Art Archive, AGNSW © Estate of Robert Walker.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 26 min
    Art, life and the other thing

    Art, life and the other thing

    The artwork that lends its name to the title of this episode, and this podcast series, is the infamous and brutally honest self-portrait that won Brett Whiteley the Archibald Prize in 1978. Fenella Kernebone discusses the work with curator Anne Ryan; Wendy Whiteley; artists Mitch Cairns, David Griggs and Natasha Walsh. 

    To view this artwork, go to agnsw.art/bwspodcast

    Podcast artwork - Brett Whiteley in his studios 1970 (detail), photo: Robert Walker, National Art Archive, AGNSW © Estate of Robert Walker.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 24 min
    Interior, Lavender Bay

    Interior, Lavender Bay

    The title of this first episode refers to an unfinished painting found in Brett Whiteley’s studio after his death. The monumental work now hangs in the artist’s preserved studio in Surry Hills, Sydney. Fenella Kernebone discusses the artist and his studio with curators Anne Ryan and Barry Pearce; Wendy Whiteley; artists Louise Zhang, Deborah Kelly and David Eastwood.

    To view this artwork, go to agnsw.art/bwspodcast

    Podcast artwork - Brett Whiteley in his studios 1970 (detail), photo: Robert Walker, National Art Archive, AGNSW © Estate of Robert Walker.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 30 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
9 Ratings

9 Ratings

Di Taylor ,

Brett Whiteley

Can’t believe you manipulated his work to be x out racism . One of our bravest risk taking artists that took Australia from suburbia to the world stage of contemporary art. Like statistics anyone can manipulate anything to be read in a particular bias . Your guests were deliberately chosen because of a political bias not because of their wealth of knowledge.

Top Podcasts In Arts

You Beauty
Mamamia Podcasts
The Creative Kind
Julie Battisti
Nothing To Wear
Mamamia Podcasts
99% Invisible
Roman Mars
Poetry Unbound
On Being Studios
The Great Women Artists
Katy Hessel