Author Archives: Natalie Thomas

December 05

Winners are Grinners: The 10th EMSLA Award; Coffs Harbour Regional Art Gallery

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It’s a tough gig being a distinguished judge, but hey! Someone’s gotta do it. Michael Fitzgerald, editor of Art Monthly Australasia, Julie Fragar, celebrated, award winning painter and I judged the $20,000 EMSLA Award in Coffs Harbour the other week. We came together on the land of the Gumbaynggir and pay our respects to the […]

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November 02

NGV#cockfest: Dummies and Dollies, Viktor & Rolf

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‘Does the NGV have a problem with women?’ The Guardian recently asked its vast readership. More shocking than seeing the question in print, was that we already know the answer. The NGV has a problem with women. It’s a big problem too because the NGV continue to deny that there is a problem. The NGV’s […]

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September 26

Painting. More Painting: Creators versus Producers. Silence kills culture

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If you don’t believe in God, it’s difficult to believe in painting. Most painters self identify as Creators, just like God. Yawn. But what did God ever do for women? Except hold us back. Me, I identify as an artistic Producer, like Mel Brooks. Creators and Producers don’t see eye to eye, their philosophies are […]

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September 01

#art4sale

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Nobody liked the Melbourne International Art Fair. Not till it got canned. Now, we love it. Now we’re remembering the poor old dear rather more fondly, then when it actually existed. Frocking up, fake fur stole slung nonchalantly over one’s shoulders, a touch more war paint applied than is usual. By night’s end, wearing a […]

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July 30

NGV #cockfest: Degas – A New Vision

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If you were to call the National Gallery of Victoria a large, expensive, State-funded #cockfest, you couldn’t be called out as a vicious, attack dog, tall poppy trimming, black widow spider of a whining woman. You could more reasonably describe yourself as a social realist.  The State of Victoria is formed from land stolen from […]

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July 05

Politics: It’s child’s play

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It’s a great job explaining politics to your kid and, in turn, having your kid explain politics to you. Maxine has just turned 12 and is showing an increasing interest in politics this election. She’s highly opinionated; once her mind is made up, she’s difficult to sway. Stubborn even. In general terms, Maxine believes that […]

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June 15

New Kids On The Block: Next Wave Festival

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Watching Orlando (1992), directed by Sally Potter, on Netflix. Quentin Crisp playing Queen Elizabeth I, all done up in her Sunday best, says to Tilda Swinton, playing the young man Orlando: ‘Come. Your handsome leg. For you and for your heirs Orlando, a house. But on one condition. Do not fade. Do not wither. Do […]

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May 20

Art Words: Melbourne Art Book Fair

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Maxine told me on New Year’s Day that I need a new hobby. Other than art: “Look”, she said: “I like art too Mum, it’s just that I don’t feel like I need to talk about it allllll day.” Heeding the advice of the child and knowing she knows me better than I know myself, […]

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May 03

Controversy Sells: The Representation of Girls and Women in Art and Culture

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In an art world overflowing with unhealthy relationships, the old guy photographer and the hot, young, eager, barely legal female model is a tried and tested formula. It’s a look that ain’t going out of style yet. The photographer can always find an audience, a market, a home, a collection, a retrospective, a publisher for […]

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April 04

20th Biennale of Sydney

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 Melbourne had a Biennale once, back in 1999, before you were born. Curator Julianna Engberg called it Signs of Life. But it died. Reputedly went three times over budget it did and Melbourne University (who had underwritten it) decided they weren’t rich enough to go into the red for culture, so they canned it. A […]

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