Talking with Painters

Maria Stoljar
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Talking with Painters

Want to hear from the painter behind the painting? Maria Stoljar talks enthusiastically with Australian painters about how they became an artist, their influences, painting techniques, current work and lots more!

  1. 19 NOV

    Ingrid Hedgcock at the Margaret Olley Art Centre

    Ingrid Hedgcock, director of the Tweed Regional Gallery, shows me around the amazing Margaret Olley Art Centre which is the relocation of Margaret Olley's home studio from Paddington in Sydney. Famous for being like an Aladdin's cave of eclectic objects, the recreated home studio contains the sources of many inspirational items which appear in Margaret Olley's paintings.  Over an astonishing 21,000 items were relocated from Sydney to the gallery. Ingrid, having been involved in the project almost from its inception, is the ideal person to share insights into the creation of this extraordinary tribute to Olley. This is the second of three episodes recorded at Tweed Regional Gallery. The previous episode is my conversation with Sophie Perez and Sarah McDonald undertaking a residency at the gallery and the following episode will be my conversation with Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt at the gallery about the exhibition 'A Dictionary for Painting'. Photo of Ingrid Hedgcock supplied by Tweed Regional Gallery * Podcast listeners click here to see images of the Margaret Olley Art Centre * Margaret Olley Art Centre * 'A Dictionary for Painting', exhibition with Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt at the Tweed Regional Gallery until 2 March 2025 * Scott Bevan on William Dobell * Ben Quilty (ep 80) 'The Hat Factory', Margaret Olley Art Centre 'The Yellow Room', Margaret Olley Art Centre

  2. 12 NOV

    Sophie Perez and Sarah McDonald (with edited version on YouTube)

    See an edited version of this episode (5 mins) on the talking with Painters YouTube channel An artist’s residency provides more than just uninterrupted time to work; it’s also a valuable space for risk-taking, experimentation, and self-reflection. That's what I learned when I caught up with Sophie Perez and Sarah McDonald during my recent visit to the Tweed Regional Gallery. They were there for a residency in the Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence studio. Both are accomplished landscape painters working in oils, have exhibited in solo and group shows across the country and both made the trek across Australia to immerse themselves in this experience - Sophie from Victoria and Sarah from South Australia. It was wonderful to hear their thoughts on the value of the residency and what has come from it.  This is the first of three podcast episodes which I recorded on my visit to the Tweed Regional Gallery a couple of weeks ago. I was invited to facilitate a conversation in front of an audience with Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt, two leading painters who recently completed funded residencies at the gallery. Their new works, now hanging in the exhibition A Dictionary for Painting, are inspired by objects from Australian art royalty Margaret Olley’s glorious home studio, which has been relocated within the gallery. The gallery recorded the conversation and it will be coming soon to the podcast. I was also lucky enough to have an impromptu chat with gallery director Ingrid Hedgcock, an expert on Margaret Olley, who will be joining me on the next episode. Links * Podcast listeners click here for website page and images of works  * Sign up to the Talking with Painters newsletter * Sophie Perez website * Sarah McDonald website * Sophie Perez Instagram * Sarah McDonald Instagram  https://youtu.be/jxJybTWc81s?si=8neVQgRZyTP1x7y6 Wall of Sophie Perez' work Wall of Sarah McDonald's work Work mentioned by Sarah at about 9min 40s Work mentioned by Sophie at about 18min 30s Work mentioned by Sophie at about 21 min

    24 min

  3. 21 AUG

    Karen Black

    Podcast listeners click here to view the works Through layers of paint in varying translucency, Karen Black explores not only the physical nature of the female form but through her use of abstraction and considered use of colour she brings out another dimension - an emotional layer.  There is a strong sense of a spontaneous response in her paintings so you may be surprised to hear that reading and research play as much a role in her process as creating those drips and brushstrokes. Karen talks with me in this episode about her fascination with recent research on frequencies and vibrations which occur in all matter. That interest informs her most recent body of work which will be on view in her upcoming solo show 'alternative frequency' at Ames Yavuz in Sydney. Karen has been acclaimed with awards and residencies and her work is in the collections of many public institutions. She has been repeatedly shortlisted in the Archibald and Sulman prizes, among many others, and has work hanging in both those prize exhibitions in the Art Gallery of NSW this year. She has also been recognised for her ceramic work, two of which have been acquired by the National Gallery of Victoria. In this podcast episode Karen talks with me about her childhood memories of art, how she came to painting, the story behind her current show and some interesting aspects of her process. Links * Sign up to the TWP newsletter * Karen Black on Instagram * Karen Black at Ames Yavuz * Karen Black at Sutton Gallery * Solo show 'alternative frequency' at Ames Yavuz Gallery, 31 August to 5 October 2024   'Both of us'oil on canvas61 x 92 cmFinalist Sir John Sulman Prize 2024Source: AGNSW website ‘Head wind’ 2024,oil on polyester, 183.3 x 153 cmImage courtesy of the artist 'Licking the rain' 2017oil on canvas152.5 x 122 cmFinalist Sir John Sulman Prize 2017Source: AGNSW website 'I Will Shade You from the World'2022Oil on canvas213.6 x 198.5cmImage courtesy of the artist Vivian Vidulichoil on polyester183 x 152.5 cmFinalist - Archibald Prize 2024Source: AGNSW website 'Crown legs arms' 2016earthenware, 23ct gold leaf69.0 × 29.7 × 29.2 cmCollection, National Gallery of Victoria

    45 min

  4. 9 JUN

    Laura Jones wins the 2024 Archibald Prize

    Watch the video version of my interview with Laura Jones here on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel Congratulations to previous podcast guest Laura Jones on winning the Archibald Prize - Australia’s most famous portrait prize  - with a sensitive and meaningful portrait of writer and environmentalist Tim Winton. On Friday I interviewed Laura shortly after the announcement and I’m bringing you that 5 minute conversation in this episode but I’ve also gone through the archives to my podcast conversation with Laura in 2018 to bring you something extra.  When I interviewed Laura a few years ago it was after she had finished a residency on the Great Barrier Reef where she was studying the terrible bleaching events which occurred there (and continue to occur) and her concern surrounding those events is not unconnected with her winning portrait in this year's Archibald Prize. Because it was after seeing Tim Winton’s documentary on the ABC, Ningaloo Nyinggulu, about the fight to save the Ningaloo reef that Laura requested an Archibald portrait sitting. They have in common a sense of urgency that we must act now on climate change and are doing everything they can to bring attention to the devastating and inevitable consequences of inaction. One of the most interesting parts of my conversation with Laura was when she explained how coral bleaching occurs. It’s complex and scientific but she explained it in a way that anyone could understand so I thought I would bring you that part of the interview today .   The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes exhibition continues until Sunday 8 September 2024.  The Archibald finalist works then go on tour across 5 venues across NSW and for the first time, to the Northern Territory. The Wynne Prize finalist works will tour to four venues in regional NSW. * 2018 podcast interview with Laura Jones (ep 53) * Laura Jones' Archibald Prize acceptance speech (Instagram) * YouTube version of my Archibald interview with Laura * Incognito Art Show * Studio A Tim WintonOil on linen, 198 x 152.5cmImage: Art Gallery of NSW, Jenni Carter Winner 2024 Archibald Prize

  5. 19 MAY

    The Loading Dock Interviews (also on YouTube)

    See the video version of this episode on the TWP YouTube channel here.  This is my 5th collection of Loading Dock Interviews of entrants to the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes. Six brave painters fronted my camera and microphone as they delivered their work to the packing room at the Art Gallery of NSW via the loading dock. Thankyou to these artists (tap on their name for their Instagram page): * Andrew Bischoff * Mila Kalik * Joshua Van Gestel * Simon Weir * Linda Lockyer * Mary Shackman Tickets for the 'Artists in Conversation' talk with me and Marikit Santiago at the Art Gallery of NSW Sign up for the Talking with Painters Newsletter here.  https://youtu.be/T-26mfmJMqw?si=L_YMco2XH8Hwwsup

  6. 21 APR

    Caroline Zilinsky

    See highlights of this interview on the YouTube Channel Caroline Zilinsky's paintings freeze pivotal moments in our culture's history, encouraging us to reflect upon our times, whether it's the absurdity, the horror or the humour. At the risk of being labelled a conspiracy theorist, she's attracted to the dilemmas brought on by the internet era and shines a light on the things that trouble most of us: our loss of privacy, shortened attention, a heightened focus on appearance,  a growing indifference to human suffering and the increasing power assumed by tech giants. Her paintings often depict a political or social narrative and although she accepts some are too confronting to hang above the sofa, there's something about the levity in her use of line, colour and form which invites us to venture into the darker corners of our culture, causing us to linger and question. Caroline is also well known for her portraiture and landscape painting. She won the Portia Geach Memorial Award portraiture prize in 2020 (the same year she won the Evelyn Chapman award) and has been a finalist in many others including the Archibald and Darling portrait prizes. This interview took place at the mid-career survey show of Caroline's work 'Exquisite Cadaver' at the University of Newcastle Gallery. Curated by Gillean Shaw, it was a collection of 40 stunning works spanning over 2 decades. The interview was also filmed and a 6 minute video of highlights can be seen here on the YouTube  channel. Feature photo:  Phillip Antonio Lemos * Caroline Zilinsky on Instagram * Caroline Zilinsky at Nanda\Hobbs * Sign up to the TWP newsletter * TWP YouTube channel * Loading Dock interview * My AGNSW Artists in Conversation interview with Caroline * Ceal Floyer https://youtu.be/qW9UOk7RA7I?si=Sc30OmX9unO_Mitu 'Kubla Khan'2022oil on linen107 x 106.7 cm 'Exquisite Corpse'2024Oil on linen 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' 2023oil on linen138 x 138cm 'Faceless The Congressional Hearing of Mark Zuckerberg' 2020oil on linen122 x 122cm 'Man of Few Words'2020Ink on AGNSW archive manila folder30 x 21cm (paper size), 60 x 47cm (framed size) 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' 2023Oil on linen112 x 122cm 'Plastic Fantastic', 2023oil on linen56 x 62cm 'Refract Back', 2023Oil on linen112 x122 cm 'Too Long; Didn't Read (Universal Declaration of Human Rights)'2023Oil, Oil Stick and Digital Configuration on Canvas97 x 87cm 'Me and Ellie', 2004-2005oil on linen 71 x 454.5cm'My Brother Adrian' oil on linen72.5 x 54cm

  7. 4 APR

    The story behind the paintings (Part 2)

    Podcast listeners click here to see images of the work Over the years, podcast guests have shared some fascinating back stories to paintings they have made, stories which you could never have guessed just on viewing the work. Sometimes that back story has made me look at the work in a totally different way and I’m bringing you another eight artists' works in addition to those in ep 155. Click on the artist's name below for the full podcast episode (and any YouTube videos) and see images of the works we talk about below. * Davida Allen * Jacqui Stockdale * Sam Leach * Sam Leach YouTube video * Robin Eley * Peter O'Doherty * Kathrin Longhurst * Tom Carment * Nicholas Harding Links mentioned in this episode * TWP YouTube channel * Sign up for the TWP Newsletter * TWP Loading Dock video  * NGV Triennial highlights - Instagram reel * Memorial service for Jan Senbergs I dream of Sam Neill when I go to bed, 1986Davida AllenNational Gallery of Victoria © Davida AllenCollection: National Gallery of Victoria, MelbournePurchased 1986 (P22-1986) Drawings of George StirlingJacqui Stockdale George Stirling from the Heads of the Family seriesJacqui Stockdale Sam LeachMachine-assisted memory of Harewood Farm, Meadowsoil on linen51 x 51 cm Robin Eley‘Self Portrait’, 2010, oil on Belgian linen, 39″ x 25″Runner Up, Doug Moran portrait Prize, 2010 Peter O'DohertyEdgecliff high rise, 2019, acrylic on canvas, 198x167cm Kathrin LonghurstPoster Girl, 2011, oil on canvasFinalist Portia Geach Memorial Award, 2011 Tom CarmentWhere I scattered my father's ashes, Oratunga, SAwatercolour on paper45.3 x 52 cm Nicholas HardingRobert Drewe (In the swell)2006oil on canvas (frame: 140.4 cm x 125.0 cm, support: 138.0 cm x 123.0 cm)Collection: National Portrait Gallery

  8. 19 FEB

    The story behind the painting: Fantauzzo, Flint, Quilty and Dobell

    Podcast listeners click here to see images of the works Over the years, podcast guests have shared some fascinating back stories to paintings they have made, stories which you could never have guessed on merely viewing the work. Sometimes that back story has made me look at the work in a totally different way and I’m bringing you a few of those to you in this episode. See images of the works we talk about below. Links * Tickets for talk with Caroline Zilinsky at the Art Gallery of NSW (Artists in Conversation) * YouTube video - Anthony White * Vincent Fantauzzo podcast episode * Prudence Flint podcast episode * Ben Quilty podcast episode * Scott Bevan podcast episode on William Dobell 2:40    ‘Heath’, 2008, oil on canvas, 106 x 140cm (Collection of the Art Gallery of NSW, highly commended and winner of the Archibald Prize People’s Choice award 2008. Portrait of Heath Ledger) 10:40    ‘Baby’, 2015, oil on linen, 105 x 90.5cm (Finalist in Archibald Portrait Prize 2015) 15:45.  ‘Kandahar’ 2011, oil on linen, 140 x 190cmPhoto: Australian War Memorial 18:00   ‘Captain S. after Afghanistan’ 2012, oil on linen, 210 x 230cmFinalist Archibald Prize 2012Photo: AGNSW/ Mim Stirling 20:30    ‘Margaret Olley’, 1948, oil on hardboard, 114.3 x 85.7 cm boardCollection: Art Gallery of NSWWinner Archibald Prize 1948 23:45.    ‘Storm Approaching, Wangi’, 1948, oil on cardboard on composition board, 32.9 x 56cmWinner Wynne Prize 1948

    26 min
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Want to hear from the painter behind the painting? Maria Stoljar talks enthusiastically with Australian painters about how they became an artist, their influences, painting techniques, current work and lots more!

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