Talking with Painters

Maria Stoljar
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Maria Stoljar talks with Australian painters about how they became an artist, their painting techniques, influences and current work.

  1. 28/12/2025

    Ep 171: Mary Tonkin

    Watch highlights from this conversation on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel I loved this conversation with Mary Tonkin at the S.H. Ervin Gallery in Sydney, before the start of her survey exhibition Among the Trees (opening 3 January 2026). The show brings together paintings, drawings and ceramics dating from 2008, works that reflect Mary’s deep relationship with her family farm in Victoria’s Dandenong ranges and with painting from life.  Her painting ‘Ramble Kalorama’, measuring almost 19 metres long, is a magnificent meditation on what it is to be in the Australian landscape and was a huge hit at the 2022 Sydney Contemporary Art Fair. Mary Tonkin has won many awards and her works are held in major public institutions and private collections. She is represented by Australian Galleries. NB: When Mary speaks about her teacher Geoff in this conversation she is referring to Geoff Dupree. Links Mary Tonkin on Instagram Mary Tonkin at Australian Galleries ‘Among the Trees’, S.H.Ervin Gallery, 3 January to 1 March 2026 Highlights YouTube video My instagram reel of ‘Ramble, Kalorama’ at Sydney Contemporary (2022) https://youtu.be/84JSU210-38?si=78SsLYUPGalbja-g ‘Ramble, Kalorama’ (2017–2019) at Sydney Contemporary, 2022 18.9m x 1.8m (21 panels) Oil on linen   ‘Coprosma Madonna, Kalorama’ 2021-22 oil on linen 320 x 610cm Photographer Matthew Stanton ‘Madre, Kalorama’ 2008 oil on linen 244cm x 508 cm Photographer John Brash ‘A scream, Kalorama’ 2023 oil on linen 214 x 366cm Photograph Matthew Stanton ‘Regent, Kalorama’ 2012 charcoal on paper 241 x 271cm Photographer John Brash ‘Saint Anthony Beaten By Devils’ 24.5cm x 39.5cm Sassetta, c1423, 1424 Pinacoteca Nazionale

    44 min

  2. 21/11/2025

    Ep 170: Aida Tomescu – ‘Messiaen’

    A highlights video from this episode will also be coming soon to the Talking with Painters YouTube channel In this episode, I visit the studio of acclaimed abstract painter Aida Tomescu just days before the opening of her exhibition Messiaen at Fox Jensen Gallery in Sydney. The exhibition continues until 20 December 2025. Aida Tomescu on Instagram Aida Tomescu website Aida Tomescu at Fox Jensen Gallery  Talking with Painters website Talking with Painters on Instagram Subscribe here for my monthly newsletter Previous TWP YouTube videos of Aida Tomescu: Aida Tomescu – extended interview Aida Tomescu talks with Maria Stoljar (uncut) Aida Tomescu in her studio (2017) Aida Tomescu talks with Maria Stoljar about ‘Tuckson: the abstract sublime’ Aida Tomescu’s 2019 show ‘The Open Wounds of White Clouds’ Previous podcast conversations with Aida Tomescu: Episode 33 – Aida Tomescu Episode 63 – Aida Tomescu on Tony Tuckson Episode 116 – Aida Tomescu (uncut) Messiaen II 2024 200x460cm oil on Belgian linen Photo: Jenni Carter Messiaen III 2025 200 x 306cm Oil on Belgian linen Photo: Jenni Carter Messiaen 2013 oil and pigments on canvas 184 x 153 cm This is the work Tomescu refers to at the beginning of the episode

  3. 04/10/2025

    Ep 169: 12 finalists, 12 landscapes

    Watch an edited video version of this episode on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel here Podcast listeners see the works we talk about here or go to talkingwithpainters.com (ep 169) When I travelled to Hobart for the announcement of the Hadley’s Art Prize, I not only interviewed the winner, Sophie Cape (you can hear her in the previous episode), but also had the privilege of speaking with twelve of the other outstanding finalists (see images of works below) At $100,000 the Hadley’s is Australia’s richest landscape art prize, and the calibre of work this year was outstanding. With 29 finalists in total, I would have loved to talk with every single one, but time was short in the lead-up to the celebrations! Even so, these conversations give you a  cross-section of artists and approaches to depicting the Australian landscape — from bold abstraction to meticulous realism. In this episode, you’ll hear from the following artists: Michaye Boulter, Belinda Street, Neil Haddon, Valerie Sparks (Honourable Mention), Peter Griffen, Harrison Bowe (People’s Choice winner), Melanie McCollin Walker, Denise Lamby (Residency Prize winner), Julz Beresford, Raymond Arnold, Richard Klecociuk and Melissa Kenihan. Links YouTube video highlights of this episode YouTube video of interview with winner Sophie Cape Podcast interview with winner Sophie Cape  Talking with Painters Newsletter Talking with Painters on Instagram Talking with Painters on Facebook Maria Stoljar on LinkedIn Hadley’s Art Prize website Michaye Boulter Atmospheres, oil on linen 102 x 153 Neil Haddon ‘A view of water’ Acrylic oil and lacquer on aluminium 140 x 130 Valerie Sparks (Honourable Mention) ‘The Long View’ Pigment inkjet print on paper Peter Griffen ‘Small Rocks and Wild Grass’ Mixed media on canvas 91 x 122cm Belinda Street ‘Newcastle Harbour’ Oil on canvas 90 x 90cm Harrison Bowe (Winner People’s Choice Award) ‘Of Peaks and Tides’ Oil and enamel and beeswax on linen Melanie McCollin Walker ‘Quiet Refuge’ Acrylic on linen 156 x 156cm Denise Lamby (Winner Residency Prize) Memory of the Land Recycle tea bags canvas 90 x 90cm Julz Beresford ‘A Stillness at the Water’s Edge’ Oil on canvas 93 x 93 Raymond Arnold ‘The ‘blue,yellow’ Red Gum’ Digital print Richard Klecociuk ‘Ancient light’ Coloured pencil and ink 108 x 83cm Melissa Kenihan ‘Living Memory’ Oil on linen 55 x 155 cm

  4. 01/09/2025

    Ep 168 Sophie Cape wins the Hadley’s Art Prize

    Watch an edited video version of this conversation on the YouTube channel here Sophie Cape has just taken out the $100,000 Hadley’s Art Prize for landscape with her powerful painting Thunder Shifts the Shivering Sands. It’s a raw and visceral work on canvas made using rust, charcoal, soil, pigment and binder. In this episode I talk with Sophie about what winning the prize means for her at this point in her career. She also tells me about her incredible path to painting — from training as an elite athlete with Olympic ambitions to finding her way into the art world after injury changed the course of her life. Sophie has received multiple awards and residencies over her career. She has exhibited in over a dozen solo shows and her work is held in many public and private collections. She is represented by Olsen Gallery. A highlights video from this conversation will be up on my YouTube channel soon. I also spoke with 12 of the other finalists, and those conversations will be heading to YouTube shortly as well. During my time in Hobart, I was a guest of Hadley’s at the beautifully restored Hadley’s Orient Hotel (built in 1834) and is the venue for the exhibition. The show runs until 21 September, accompanied by a series of talks – you can find more information on their website here . Links Podcast listeners –  see images of the works we talk about here Sophie Cape on Instagram Sophie Cape at Olsen Gallery Australian Story: Adrenaline Brush: Sophie Cape Sign up for the Talking with Painters newsletter  Talking with Painters on Instagram Talking with Painters on youTube  Talking with Painters on Facebook Thunder Shifts the Shivering Sands Rust, charcoal, soil, pigment and binder on canvas 2024 148cm x 160cm Romper Stomper, 2014, oil, acrylic, bitumen, charcoal, and soil on canvas, 209 x 203cm Winner, Portia Geach Memorial Award, 2014

    31 min

  5. 27/08/2025

    Ep 167 Remembering William Robinson with Davida Allen (2020)

    Australia has lost one of its great painters. William Robinson has passed away at the age of 89. I was lucky enough to meet Bill in 2020 when I interviewed his close friend, artist Davida Allen. At Davida’s suggestion, Bill joined the conversation —and what unfolded was something special. In this re-released episode you’ll hear Bill’s warmth, humour and generosity as the two artists reflect together in his Brisbane studio.

    22 min

  6. 09/05/2025

    Ep 166: Julie Fragar wins the 2025 Archibald Prize

    Watch an  edited video version of this conversation on the YouTube channel here It’s one of the most thrilling days on the Australian art calendar—and this year, Julie Fragar has taken out the Archibald Prize with a captivating portrait of fellow artist and colleague Justene Williams. Her large scale portrait of Justene, appearing to float in space and surrounded by model figures and structures drawn from Justene’s creative universe, commands the viewer’s attention.  Julie talks with me about the portrait and its elements, her approach to colour and her tips for a productive sitting. This episode also includes Julie’s moving acceptance speech. Also announced today: Jude Rae, winner of the Wynne Prize (and two-time podcast guest) Gene A’Hern, winner of the Sulman Prize (video interview coming soon!) Scroll down for images of the winning works Podcast listeners click here to see images of the works Julie Fragar’s website Julie Fragar on Instagram Ep 28: Jude Rae Ep 97: Jude Rae ‘424-428’ My chat with Sulman winner Gene A’Hern  TWP on Instagram TWP on Facebook Maria Stoljar on LinkedIn Sign up to the TWP monthly newsletter https://youtu.be/h4NfQDN803I Julie FragarFlagship Mother Multiverse (Justene) oil on canvas 240 x 180.4 cm Jude Rae Pre-dawn sky over Port Botany container terminal oil on linen 200 x 150.4 cm Gene A’Hern Sky painting oil and oil stick on board 240 x 240 cm

    15 min

  7. 07/04/2025

    Ep 165: Richard Lewer

    Watch this interview on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel here  Step into the gripping world of Richard Lewer — where drawing, painting, and video meet the raw edges of human experience. Richard doesn’t look away from life’s toughest stories. From the deeply personal — like the final days of his father’s life — to the harrowing and socially charged, including the tragic death of an Indigenous child in custody and the haunting Snowtown murders, he takes it all on. But never with shock tactics. His work is quietly powerful — full of feeling, sensitivity, and a surprising touch of humour. And the surfaces he paints on? Anything but traditional — think steel, aluminium, formica table tops, even billiard tables. Richard is a multi-award-winning artist whose work has appeared in major public and private collections. He’s been a finalist multiple times in the Archibald and Sulman Prizes, and his recent acquisition by the National Gallery of Australia will soon be part of an upcoming exhibition and tour. This was the perfect time to sit down for a deep conversation — just ahead of his new show ‘The stories that persist are not always true’ opening on 10 April at Hugo Michell Gallery. Richard is also represented by Jan Murphy Gallery in Brisbane and Suite Gallery in New Zealand. Links Art work mentioned in this episode (for podcast listeners) Richard Lewer on Instagram Exhibition opening on 10 April at Hugo Michell Gallery  YouTube video- Richard Lewer talks with Maria Stoljar about his commissioned work at the Art Gallery of NSW  Boxing match Richard Lewer vs Luke Sinclair 2001, video, documentation of performance as art Worse luck I’m still here, 2014, video and animation Never Shall be Forgotten – A Mother’s Story, 2017, video and animation Talking with Painters on Instagram Join me on LinkedIn  Sign up to the TWP newsletter https://youtu.be/4bei8rp-Tto?si=VJHHvFMwMcg6_2oU ‘We have grave concerns for your father’s health’ oil on epoxy-coated steel 80.5 x 141 cm Finalist Sulman prize 2019 I’m not the boy who cried wolf, 2025 80 x 120 cm acrylic on laminate tabletop Richard’s medical disasters acrylic on linen 181.5 x 152.7cm Finalist Sulman prize 2023 NGV Confessions (one wall of several) Acrylic on pegboard The serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals that God had made. He said to the woman ‘Did God really say that you must not eat from any tree in the garden?’. She replied ‘We may eat fruit from all the trees in the garden except for the…, 2022, acrylic on canvas, 153 x 153 cm ‘The 2006 Granny’ 2024 acrylic on linen 200.0 x 200.0 cm ‘The 2006 Granny’ 2024 acrylic on linen & 41.0 x 31.0 cm https://youtu.be/Du-Lad05_vk?si=lW4hXdAYI9jmNEfo   Body of work ‘Steve’ acquired by the National Gallery of Australia

    50 min

  8. 18/03/2025

    Ep 164: New Videos, Loading Dock Invite & What’s Next

    Catch up on the latest YouTube videos and Instagram reels, and don’t miss the chance to be part of my next Loading Dock interview at the Art Gallery of NSW! Justin Williams (video) Justin Williams – ep 60 podcast interview Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt (video) Loading Dock Interviews Playlist  Nic Plowman (Instagram reel) Sam Eyles (Instagram reel) The Art Room  Sign up to the TWP newsletter Join me on LinkedIn

    5 min
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Maria Stoljar talks with Australian painters about how they became an artist, their painting techniques, influences and current work.

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