ANZAC Day & Ben Quilty

So I didn’t really think too much about what this day represents this year, as other issues have taken over my mind in the past week.

However, after years of thought, I am much less naive and judgemental about what this day represents. Many use it as a celebration and tribute, but personally all it brings into my mind is sadness and more sadness. And when in that state, being reclusive is my natural reaction so getting wasted (like many people i know) just doesn’t cut it for me and seems pointless. Like Jesus and the Easter Bunny. Alright, perhaps I’m still a little judgemental about war and the profound implications it brings along with it – as I’m a strong believer in peace, I find it harder every year to accept the prospect of the military and their uses.

I admire Ben Quilty and his courageousness in travelling to Afghanistan to paint the soldiers. It feels so raw even when I’ve only seen a couple of the paintings online. Can’t wait to see the exhibition when it’s in town to see how many mixed emotions pour out of me!

To read the artshub article interviewing him, click here.

 

 

The Lost Art of Carving

The Lost Carving: A Journey into the Heart of Making

By David Esterly

I just read a review on this book on artshub: http://au.artshub.com/au/news-article/reviews/publishing-and-writing/the-lost-carving-a-journey-into-the-heart-of-making-194765

It’s crossed my mind before about lost art skills but I’ve never really thought about it properly. Upon reflection it is a saddening era we’re in when art schools rarely, if ever, teach old craftsmanship skills. High school in Australia offered me technical drawing, metal work, wood work and visual arts, but it seems tertiary art schools are more geared towards painting and sculpture. I suppose it’s the argument between what is art and what is craft.

I’m not sure whether there are still art carvers out there. If there are, I hope they’re spreading their wonderful skills. I haven’t read Esterly’s book but it’s on my list.

 

Ganesh Pyne Dies

I’m not really familiar with Indian artists. I only just heard of Ganesh but I have found I quite like his works and his use of colour. Unfortunately he’s just passed on from this world. His name will live on through his art work – google him for a taste of what he created.

Taxing Prize Money for Artists – Why?

Artshub published an article last week arguing that ‘iconic’ art awards that meet a number of criteria should be exempt from tax. I wish that were the case! Anna Funder (Miles Franklin Award winner) makes a good point – “gambling winnings are tax free, and others are not.” This statement just raises a whole other argument though. Does gambling bring in more revenue for people compared to the art world? I’m not sure, but it could. I know gambling machines help keep places afloat. Perhaps that’s the reason.

Info from http://au.artshub.com/au/news-article/news/publishing-and-writing/taxing-arts-prizes-its-gotta-stop-194618

Slot Machines by Shari Weinsheimer

Simon Crean and the National Cultural Policy

So people are saying most of this money is going towards the performing arts. This worries me as I found out last night there have been budget cuts to fine art courses through TAFE. I guess on the upside there will now be more jobs for people who are make up artists, set designers, costume designers, script writers, etc. They all link in with the visual/fine arts would, but unfortunately it hasn’t been more widely distributed. I’m still glad for the fund though. Can’t wait to see what comes out of it.

http://culture.arts.gov.au/

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-13/crean-announces-first-cultural-policy-in-almost-20-years/4569608

An update:

According to the Cultural Policy, it offers little for Australians with Disabilities. Being in a country with 4.2 million disabled people (which i only learned today) – it amazes me how little they are  offered.

Read up on artshub.com.au for more info: http://au.artshub.com/au/news-article/opinions/arts/cultural-policy-fails-people-with-disabilities-194666

Revamped Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

Didn’t think a revamp would be that expensive! Looks good though. Yet again Tasmania is another place I haven’t gotten to. One day…

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-15/a-revamped-museum-opens-to-the-public/4574284

Online Art and the Google Art Project

Art online – I shouldn’t find it strange seeing works of art in galleries online in high res, but I do.  My own work is online but I’m not famous and immortalised by galleries (not yet anyway!). It certainly brings a new perspective to viewing art, and a more convenient one, but nothing can replace the experience of visiting a gallery – being in the gallery space, experiencing the lighting, the room, the colours of the walls. Seeing a work of art from more than one angle. Walking around a vase in a case placed in the centre of the room. All these points contribute to the experience. However I do understand that many people don’t live in cities or anywhere near an art gallery they want to visit. I want to view works at the art gallery in South Australia but I currently don’t have the funds to travel half way across the country to get there. So the Google art project will satisfy me temporarily, but one day when I make it there in person I will not spend any less time marvelling at the works contained within the gallery.

http://www.googleartproject.com/

Bolshoi Acid Attack

http://au.artshub.com/au/news-article/news/performing-arts/bolshoi-ballet-dancer-confesses-to-acid-attack-194491

A fellow ballet dancer has admitted to being involved in the acid attack against Bolshoi artistic director Sergei Filin. It astounds me how caught up people can get in their own profession within the creative world – and make a life threatening choice – so far fetched from reality – due to passion. I can’t imagine a painter being violent towards another competitor, although perhaps it has happened somewhere in this world and I just don’t know about it.

Any creative soul can probably sympathise with Dmitrichenko about where is coming from; the desire to be the best and be treated fairly within the industry. But at what point do you stop and say to yourself “it’s just dancing” or “it’s just art”?

Ballerina At Backstage 2 by Kondo Yukihiro

Archibald prize at the Art Gallery of NSW

Unfortunately (but not surprisingly) the smh has published an article about the archibald being axed and many reasons why it should be. It’s controversial just like any art prize. If we began to axe them all, where would the artists end up? Anyway, they are just stirring the pot and as much as i don’t want them getting the publicity, the amount of people that read the smh and take it seriously outweighs my reasons not to post about it.

In better news, the finalists are being announced this morning.

Tasmania Regional Arts Organisation Loosing Funding

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-03/arts-funding-fury/4497880

So, apparently the  Tasmanian Regional Arts’ funding deal with the Australia Council  ended last month.

According to their website, “the Regional Arts Fund (RAF) is an Australian Government Office For The Arts (OFTA) initiative supporting the arts in regional and remote Australia and delivered in Tasmania in partnership with Tasmanian Regional Arts.

A key focus of the Regional Arts Fund (RAF) program is to encourage the formation of productive partnerships to support home-grown arts activities and the creation of networks to reduce isolation, exchange ideas and publicise opportunities.

The program also assists the professional development of, and provides employment opportunities for, artists based in regional areas”.

So this means less opportunities for artists. It’s unfortunate that this sometimes happens and it saddens me, however the funds are apparently going to areas within society which require more attention. It’s hard to argue with that. I’m not saying art should be on the low priority list. But it should be given something rather than nothing. I don’t know much about funding and grants for arts organisations, and my google searching didn’t bring up much either about the specific issue of the Tasmanian Regional Arts’ funding deal – fingers crossed no more organisations have to suffer such a big loss of income.