Visual art
Bowie, Thatcher and Picasso unite to explore the danger of our fame obsession
The new exhibition Namedropping at Mona is by turns enjoyable and uncomfortable, with ideas that pick at the way you see the world and then follow you out of the building.
- by Elizabeth Flux
Latest
Australia’s oldest working artist Guy Warren dies, aged 103
Born in 1921, the same year the Archibald Prize began, Warren went on to win it, both as painter and later subject.
- by Helen Pitt
God-kings and everyday people: NGV’s blockbuster isn’t just about pharaohs
It might be named for the pharaohs, but this year’s Winter Masterpieces exhibition also tells a quieter and more intimate story – that of everyday people.
- by Nadia Bailey
As it happened: Laura Jones wins Archibald Prize with portrait of author Tim Winton
It’s arguably the biggest day on the arts calendar in Australia and this year’s pool of finalists is suitably impressive.
- by Helen Pitt and Nick Galvin
Updated
Archibald Prize
Laura Jones wins 2024 Archibald Prize with portrait of Tim Winton
The winners of the prestigious Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes were announced on Friday.
- by Helen Pitt
Forget Namatjira, this is the portrait Gina Rinehart wants you to see
Australia’s richest person is the subject of another portrait in Canberra, and this time she’s so happy to have it displayed, she’s setting the rules.
- by Karl Quinn
Street artist wins Archibald Packing Room Prize for Baker Boy portrait
Matt Adnate painted the ARIA winner using 90 per cent spray paint. Also, the 57 finalists competing for the main Archibald Prize have been announced.
- by Helen Pitt
Opinion
WordPlay
Why the Streisand effect could be morphing into the Gina effect
The moment you tell us to look away, we can’t stop gawking, as Gina Rinehart recently found out to her detriment.
- by David Astle
Private jets, Ibiza villas and $9000 wines: An epic art fraudster tells all
Inigo Philbrick went to jail for the largest art swindle in US history. But he isn’t losing too much sleep over what he did.
- by Laura Pullman
Exclusive
John Gorton
The painting a prime minister tried to ban
June Mendoza’s painting of John Gorton caused a sensation when it was unveiled. She remains the only woman to have painted an official portrait of an Australian prime minister.
- by Rob Harris
The $3 million MCA commission ripe for the selfie generation
Thirty years after Jeff Koons’ Puppy, three major outdoor sculptures will be commissioned from next year at the MCA Australia in honour of the late arts patron and philanthropist, Neil Balnaves.
- by Linda Morris