Author Archives: Natalie Thomas

March 11

Fashion vs. Feminism:

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The Politics of the representation of women in Museums and Art Galleries. I’m in a dream. I’m Carrie Bradshaw from an episode of Sex and the City. Due to popular demand, me and my galpals are back. This time we’re older, richer and somehow whiter. As Carrie, I’m a writer with strong circulation, trying to […]

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March 05

Former Babe: Reflections on my brief career as a Teenage Model

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Have I told you about my brief career as a teenage model? When I was fifteen, my physicality meant a whole lot to the people I knew. They’d make well intentioned, but insensitive statements to me. Observations often posed as questions; questions with no answers. Something like: ‘You have very big white teeth, don’t you?’ […]

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February 23

Selfie Shite Night

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I like a brightly coloured, shiny diversion from reality as much as the next person. But White Night Melbourne joins a global trend of governments corroding away democracy, while simultaneously presenting increasingly populist cultural programmes. White Night started in Russia, there’s one in Paris and Canada and in Tel Aviv. Cities presenting major events that […]

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January 23

FEMMO™

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Recently, cartoonist First Dog on the Moon wrote And now all Australians are forced to ask themselves ‘are we just a nation of entitled misogynist thickwits?’ Obviously the answer is yes but it looks like we need to go through it one more time so………..  The best thing about Tony Abbott’s reign, was that his […]

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January 09

Scandals from the Art Gallery of New South Wales

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While holidaying at the beach recently, I began daydreaming. Without too much thought (and no research what so ever), a list of exposés and scandals were pieced together in my minds eye, regarding one state funded Australian art gallery. The Art Gallery of New South Wales. Scandals so salacious, you feel like you’ve been watching another Four […]

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December 22

Miss Universal

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During a Contemporary dance performance, they close the doors to the theatre behind you, and don’t let you out until they’re finished with you. This simple device enables the choreographer to make you sit through fluid, passionate tracts (long bits) of a variety of modern dance moves including: the rolling foetal; frantic bendy torso; the […]

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December 16

Andy and Ai Weiwei; NGV

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Ai Weiwei loves pussies. He has a snatch of pussies living with him at his studio complex, inspiring his creative impulses. It’s important to stand out from your peers when there are plenty of other pussies ‘round. One of Ai Weiwei’s pussies is so talented; its even learned to open a door. Competing for the […]

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December 03

Gilbert and George Disappear Women; MONA

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Gilbert and George met at art school in 1967. They were so poor and alone; they had to turn to themselves to make art. They inserted themselves into the gallery and declared themselves the art. Hence the birth of their Living Sculptures, performed for their Graduate Show. Men take up the spotlight with such ease. Gilbert […]

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November 20

Grayson Perry is an Imperialist Wanker; Art Words

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I’m in bed asleep. Suddenly, at the foot of the bed, Grayson Perry appears. ‘Oi! I’m angry with you Grayson Perry! Australia is angry with you Grayson Perry!’ I say. ‘Yes Yes. We know you’re coming to Australia soon for a major retrospective of your work at the MCA, ironically titled My Pretty Little Art […]

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November 18

We Woz Robbed: Gertrude Street is Dirty and Thirty

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At Gertrude Streets 30th birthday party and annual fundraiser on Friday night, I met Sarah Ritson. Sarah is my facebook friend. Sarah had a studio at Gerty back in ‘88, and said there were no oysters being served at fundraisers back then. When she moved into her studio, abandoned Howard Arkley paintings were stacked up […]

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