Art Wank
Hosted by Gary Seller with artists Fiona Verity and Julie Nicholson, Art Wank follows their creative journeys as they interview artists, curators, gallery owners, teachers and other creatives. The show offers guidance to listeners inside the arts community while keeping a lighthearted, banter-filled tone. The hosts candidly navigate the ups and downs—and sometimes the absurdity—of the art world.
Episodes
Episode 273 - Loribelle Spirovski: Painting the human condition
In this episode, we sit down with Loribelle Spirovski, one of Australia's most distinctive contemporary painters. Born in Manila and raised between cultures, Spirovski's work explores identity, migration, memory and the psychological complexities of human experience through a powerful blend of portraiture, surrealism and abstraction.Loribelle Spirovski is a Filipino-Australian visual artis
Episode 272 - From the Yellow House to the frontlines of Indigenous rights: Juno Gemes on a life behind the camera.
Juno Gemes is a Hungarian-born Australian photographer, publisher, and social justice activist. Her photographs are held in major Australian collections, including the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery of Australia. Her work has played a significant role in documenting First Nations cultural strength, political activism, and contemporary Australian history. In this episode of Art
Episode 271 - Inside the studio of Paul Connor: art, process and persistence
Paul Connor is an Australian painter whose practice centres on landscape, observation and environmental engagement. Originally trained in architecture, he later completed a Master of Fine Art at the College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales, graduating with first-class honours. Connor has exhibited for more than three decades and is represented in collections throughout Australia and int
Episode 270 - Kirtika Kain: Dalit Voices
Kirtika Kain is an Australian artist of Dalit heritage whose work explores identity, culture, migration, memory and belonging. Through her art and conversations, she brings personal and collective stories into the spotlight, creating space for voices and experiences that are often overlooked.Her work reflects the complexities of being Dalit, Australian and part of a diverse global community, while
Episode 269 - Gary Deirmendjian: Thought into Shape
Gary Deirmendjian is a Sydney-based contemporary artist whose multidisciplinary practice encompasses sculpture, installation, photography, video, and site-specific intervention. Working predominantly in public and shared spaces, he is recognised for creating thought-provoking works that challenge audiences through scale, immersion, and unexpected encounters. His projects often explore the social,
Episode 268 - Margaret Olley: Australian Intimiste
In this episode of Art Wank, we speak with Katrina Cashman, Gallery Manager and Senior Curator at the National Art School, about the exhibition currently on display at the NAS Gallery, Margaret Olley: Australian Intimiste.'Margaret Olley: Australian Intimiste celebrates the legacy and significant achievements of Margaret Olley AC – National Art School alum and one of Australia’s most beloved paint
Episode 267 - Peter Stevens: Song Between The Trees
In this episode of Artwank, we talk with Australian artist Peter Stevens about his practice, career, and connection to landscape. Stevens has worked as a professional artist for more than 30 years, building a body of work that spans painting, printmaking, and mixed media. His work is represented by Defiance Gallery in Sydney and is held in both public and private collections.Peter studied at Sydne
Episode 266 - Exploring the land through the eyes of artist Dan Kyle
Australian artist Dan Kyle joins the podcast to discuss his painting practice and his long connection to the landscapes of the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury regions of New South Wales. A graduate of the National Art School, Kyle has built a career focused on exploring the Australian bush through works that sit between observation and abstraction. His paintings draw on daily experiences of living a
Episode 265 - 2026 Northern Beaches Environmental Art & Design Prize Winners - Scott Duncan & Nahum Mclean, Ben Styles and Stefan Lie
We interview the winners of the 2026 Northern Beaches Environmental Art & Design Prize, presented at Manly Art Gallery & Museum in August 2026.Ceramicist Scott Duncan took out the Art category with his work Choice Quality, a ceramic piece inspired by everyday packaging materials such as fruit box cardboard. Drawing on his experience as a chef, Duncan explores cycles of consumption, waste a
Episode 264 - From Elite Sport to a creative life - a convseration with Sophie Cape
In this episode of Art Wank, we chat with artist Sophie Cape about the winding path that led her from elite sport to a life in contemporary art. Before establishing herself as an artist, Sophie competed at a high level in both skiing and cycling, dedicating years to training, competition, and the pursuit of performance. She reflects on the mindset required to succeed in sport and how those experie
Epiosde 263 - Sandi Hester: Painter, teacher, and creator exploring art, creativity, and a new life in England
In this episode, artist Sandi Hester discusses her career as a painter, teacher, and YouTube creator. She shares the story behind her move from the United States to Exeter, England, and reflects on the practical and creative changes that came with relocating to a new country. Sandi talks about setting up a new studio, adjusting to life in Devon, and finding inspiration in her new surroundings. The
Episode 262 - John Peart: Remembering an Australian Master with artists Euan Macleod and Joe Frost
John Peart (1945–2013) was one of Australia's most respected abstract painters. Across a career spanning almost five decades, he developed a deeply personal visual language shaped by observation, intuition and a lifelong commitment to painting. From his early years in Brisbane to his long association with Watters Gallery and the artists' community at Wedderburn, Peart continually pushed his work i
Episode 261 - Osvaldo Budet: What do we preserve, what do we question, and what do our monuments say about us.
Osvaldo Budet: Upriver DownriverMaitland Regional Art Gallery opens July 11th 2026, opening night 24th July and 25th July a talk and Q & A with Dr Nancy Cushing from University of Newcastle.Puerto Rican Australian artist Osvaldo Budet joins Art Wank to discuss Upriver Downriver, his exhibition at Maitland Regional Art Gallery exploring one of the Hunter region's most debated public monuments:
Episode 260 - Inga Dalrymple: Paint, Perception and the Fleeting Moments Held Within Abstraction.
Inga Dalrymple is a visual artist whose practice explores painting and drawing as a dialogue between material, gesture and perception. Working between abstraction and observation, she is interested in how paint can hold traces of movement, memory and experience.Inspired by nature and the feelings it can evoke, Inga works through processes of layering, erasing and reworking. These actions become a
Episode 259 - Chris Horder: The Dynamic Force of Paint
Australian artist Chris Horder joins Art Wank to discuss a painting practice shaped by intuition, chance and decades of experimentation.Known for his atmospheric stain paintings, Horder draws on influences ranging from Eastern ink traditions to Abstract Expressionism, creating works that embrace unpredictability and the unexpected. In this episode, he reflects on leaving school early to pursue art
Episode 258 - Rosemary Lee on drawing, detail, and the Dobell Prize
Australian artist Rosemary Lee joins Art Wank to discuss the quiet power of observation, the language of drawing, and finding beauty in the everyday.Awarded the 2025 Dobell Drawing Prize $30,000 acquisitive prize for her work 24–1 (2024), Lee’s meticulously rendered pencil drawing explores the changing urban landscape of Sydney’s Inner West, capturing construction sites, demolition zones and the c
Epiosde 257 - Joe Furlonger: Four Decades of Painting
In this episode of Art Wank, we sit down with acclaimed Australian artist Joe Furlonger, @joefurlonger one of the country’s most respected and enduring painters of landscape and place.For more than four decades, Furlonger has built a remarkable career through an unwavering commitment to drawing, observation and the lived experience of the Australian environment. Known for his expressive mark-makin
Episode 256 - Andrew Jensen, Fox Jensen Gallery
In this episode, we speak with Andrew Jensen, founder and director of Fox Jensen, one of Australia's leading contemporary art galleries and Fox Jensen Mccrory, alongside Emma Fox and Sarah Mccrory. Andrew discusses the evolution of the gallery, from its beginnings to its current presence in both Sydney and New Zealand. We explore the changing landscape of contemporary art, what makes a successful
Episode 255 - Mason Kimber: Material, Architecture and the painted surface
In this episode of Art Wank, we speak with Mason Kimber, a Sydney based artist represented by N.Smith Gallery and Sophie Gannon Gallery. Kimber’s practice moves between textural painting, sculptural relief and installation, exploring the relationship between architecture, memory and surface.We discuss how childhood experiences wandering through his father’s Perth nightclubs shaped his fascination
Episode 254 - Lustre: Artistic Responses to the ANZAC Campaign in Greece and Crete 1941
Lustre is a new temporary exhibition that explores the Allied campaigns in Greece and Crete in 1941 through the works of contemporary artists who walked in their footsteps in 2025.Lustre Force was the code name for the combined Australian, New Zealand and British army units deployed to protect Greece from Nazi attack in 1941. The Allied defence of Greece was overwhelmed in three and a half weeks i
Episode 253 - Bonus Episode with artist and Art Wank host Julie Nicholson
Gary has a chat with artist Julie Nicholson about her show, Nostalgia, opening May 21st at CBD Gallery in Sydney. Julie has recently exhibited with CBD Gallery at the Aotearoa Art Fair (NZ), and her work has been widely recognised in national awards such as the Paddington Art Prizre and the Muswellbrook, and held in private collections in Australia and overseas. She co-hosts the popular arts podca
Episode 252 - Brett Mcmahon: A Poetic Repsonse to Landscape
Brett McMahon is a Newcastle-based painter whose work explores the structures and rhythms of the natural and built environment. Represented by Nanda Hobbs, McMahon has built a significant practice spanning painting, drawing and installation.His work is known for its distilled, abstract language, bold lines, shifting geometries and a strong sense of spatial tension. Drawing from the coastal bu
Episode 251 - Joe Frost - Between Stations
Send us Fan MailJoe Frost is an Australian artist. He was born in Sydney in 1974 and has exhibited consistently since 1999.His visual thinking evolved in the urban environment and he is, in a sense, a local painter. Sydney’s remnant industrial areas were the subject of his earliest drawings and paintings and he has made extensive series of work in response to the western reaches of Sydney Harbour,
Episode 250 - Painting, motherhood and the poetry of everyday observation with Sally Lee Andersen
Send us Fan MailSally Anderson’s work is strongly influenced by her personal life, including her experiences of home, motherhood and relationships, as well as second hand experiences of landscapes. She explores how meaning and memory are held, stored and carried.Born in Lismore, Sally Anderson began studying Visual Art at Southern Cross University before moving to the College of Fine Art in Sydney
Episode 249 - Nikky Morgan Smith
Send us Fan MailNikky Morgan Smith is an Australian artist whose practice explores the intersection of memory, place, and emotional resonance through a refined visual language. Working across painting and mixed media, her work is characterised by layered surfaces, nuanced colour palettes, and an intuitive balance between abstraction and representation.Drawing inspiration from the Australian landsc
Episode 248 - Edward Inchbold - Painting, Endurance Made Visible
Send us Fan MailIn late 2025, we met with artist Edward Inchbold in his studio in Sydenham. A self-taught painter, he is deeply interested in the surface and texture of paint, as well as art history and the philosophies surrounding art-making. Edward began his practice in 2020 at the age of 25. Since 2021, he has presented five solo exhibitions, including a recent trilogy at Stella Downer Fine Art
Episode 247 - Alex Wisser, co-founder of Cementa Festival: How a small cement town became one of Australia’s most unexpected contemporary art destinations.
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we speak with Alex Wisser, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Cementa Festival, a unique contemporary arts festival held in the rural town of Kandos, New South Wales. Known for transforming a former cement-making town into a hub of experimental art, performance, and community collaboration, Cementa has become one of Australia’s most distinctive regional arts e
Episode 246 - Art, Country, and Community: The Journey of Meagan Jacobs.
Send us Fan MailWe spoke with artist @meagan.jacobs.art about her life and work in Ampilatwatja, a remote Indigenous art centre. The conversation looks at daily creative practice on Country and the realities of living in a desert community.Meagan Jacobs is an Australian landscape painter whose practice has been shaped by years living and working in remote Indigenous communities. Born in Sydney and
Episode 245 - From managing legends to championing artists: James Erskine, founder of Liverpool St Gallery.
Send us Fan MailJames Erskine is the Founder and Director of Liverpool St Gallery in Sydney, bringing to the role a distinguished career that spans sports management and global entertainment.Before establishing the gallery, Erskine founded SEL Sports & Entertainment, building one of the most respected management companies in the international sporting and media landscape. Through SEL, he manag
Episode 244 - Tim Johnson: Where Indigenous Knowledge Meets Contemporary Art
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we explore the life and work of Tim Johnson, one of Australia’s most distinctive contemporary artists. Known for blending Western art history, Indigenous knowledge systems, and spiritual iconography, Johnson’s practice spans decades of experimentation, collaboration, and cultural exchange.We discuss Johnson’s role in co-founding Inhibodress in the early 1970s, wide
Episode 243 - Todd Fuller drawing legend, animator and draughtsman extraordinaire..
Send us Fan MailWith a practice that integrates sculpture, moving image, performance and painting, Sydney based artist Todd Fuller is, at his core, a draughtsman. Underpinning all aspects of his practice is a love of drawing and a belief in its power as a democratic medium to connect, engage and delight audiences. For ten years, Fuller has been crafting hand-drawn animations that grapple with love
Episode 242 - Sanné Mestrom - Sculpture, play, and the politics of space.
Send us Fan MailSanne Mestrom’s sculptural practice explores the politics of the body and the shifting nature of value in the art world. Drawing on the female form, her work questions how art history and culture assign meaning and worth—values that are never fixed, but constantly evolving.By taking these ideas out of the gallery and into public space, Mestrom uses play and participation to challen
Episode 241 - Sky's the limit with Sulman prize Winner, Gene A'hern
Send us Fan MailJoin Australian abstract artist Gene A’Hern, winner of the 2025 Sir John Sulman Prize, for a laid-back conversation about colour, atmosphere and the feeling of landscape. Gene talks openly about his process, working on instinct, and what it’s like to be recognised on one of Australia’s biggest art stages. It’s an easy, thoughtful chat about memory, place and how those ideas turn in
Episode 240 - Inside the Archive: Curating The Boyd Women at Bundanon with Curator Sophie O'Brien
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Artwank, we visit Bundanon to discuss the current exhibition, 'The Hidden Line The Art of the Boyd Women', with curator Sophie O’Brien. The exhibition brings attention to the women of the Boyd family (Arthur Boyd was a celebrated Australian artist, leaving his home, the Bundanon estate, to support the arts) and their role in Australian art and cultural
Bonus Episode 239 - Fiona Verity the National Art School years
Send us Fan MailToday we’re bringing you a special bonus episode of Art Wank to celebrate the graduation exhibition of our very own co-host, Fiona Verity. Fiona has been knee-deep in her studies, working tirelessly to create an incredible body of work, and you can see it on display tonight at the National Art School BFA Graduation Exhibition — Thursday, 4 December from 6pm. Get yourself down there
Episode 238 - Art and the Unscripted World of Zoe Young
Send us Fan MailZoe Young is an Australian painter whose work spans still life, portraiture and abstraction. She studied at the National Art School in Sydney and earned her BFA in 2012. Zoe currently has a show on at Sophie Gannon Gallery in Melbourne until 13th Dec 2025.In our conversation with Zoe, she spoke openly about the unusual path she took into the art world and how that path shaped the w
Episode 237 - Harrie Fasher - Bending metal and breaking rules
Send us Fan MailWe interviewed Harrie Fasher, sculptor and artist, at her large studio in Portland NSW in November 2025. She is a permanent artist in residence at The Foundations in Portland and has built a bronze foundry and sculpture studio over many years. She has a deep interest in animals, especially horses, and her work shows a strong understanding of their bodies and movement.Harrie spoke a
Episode 236 - Decoding ‘Australian Abstraction’ with Rhonda Davis and Kon Gouriotis — Macquarie University Gallery
Send us Fan MailThis week Art Wank met Rhonda Davis, Curator of Macquarie University Gallery, and Kon Gouriotis, curator and editor of Artist Profile magazine. They recently curated an exhibition at Macquarie Gallery titled Australian Abstraction. We spoke with them about their thinking behind the exhibition, how they chose the artists involved, and the Macqaurie university Art Collection. 'T
Episode 235 - Aida Tomescu - Patience over time
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we chat with the extraordinary Aida Tomescu, one of Australia’s most respected abstract painters. Born in Romania and based in Sydney, Aida has spent her career exploring the emotional and structural possibilities of paint, building a language that’s as physical as it is poetic.We talk about her process: the scraping, layering, and reworking that give her paintings
Episode 234 - Meditation and beauty with Aaron Aryadharma Matheson
Send us Fan MailAaron Aryadharma Matheson is an artist living and working at Lennox St Studios, Sydney. He’s been a finalist in the Mosman, Waverley and Waterhouse prizes, and picked up the Richard Ford Travel Award along the way. He studied drawing at the Prince’s Drawing School in London, and later completed a Master of Fine Art at the National Art School in Sydney.This podcast is about art, Bud
Episode 233 - From Colour Theory to Creative Practice - Inside the Albers Foundation Residency with Peter Sharp and Michelle Cawthorn
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Art Wank, we focus on Australian artists Michelle Cawthorn and Peter Sharp and their recent creative residency at the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation in Connecticut, USA. Together, they reflect on how this experience produced a new body of work and the opportunity to explore the foundations archives. During her residency at the Albers Foundation, Cawthorn immers
Episode 232 - Talking Landscape, Materials and Meaning with John R. Walker
Send us Fan MailIn this episode we explore the work and world of Australian artist John R Walker, a painter who invites us to experience the land as a living and layered presence rather than just a view. Born in Sydney in 1957 and now based in Braidwood, New South Wales, Walker’s journey has taken him from city life to a deep engagement with rural environments. His art connects ecology, geology, a
Episode 231 - Michael Cusack: Painting, Abstraction and Building the Byron Bay School of Art
Send us Fan MailIn this episode we speak with Michael Cusack, an accomplished abstract painter, educator, and co-founder of the Byron School of Art in Mullumbimby. Michael’s career has spanned over three decades, with his paintings exhibited widely across Australia and internationally. His work is represented in major public and private collections, and he is known for his richly layered abstracti
Episode 230 - Inside the World of Artist Gina Bruce
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Art Wank Podcast we chat with Sydney-based artist Gina Bruce, known for her haunting, dreamlike paintings that play between strength and subtlety. Gina works across a variety of media, often returning to the same places to capture their changing moods and connections to identity. Her works are bold in mark-making yet beautifully delicate in atmosphere, creati
Episode 229 - Gallery Lane Cove - Repair/Replace with Gary Gregg, Gary Deirmendjian and curator Miguel Olmo
Send us Fan MailWe spoke with artists Gary Gregg and Gary Deirmendijan, together with curator and director Miguel Olmo, about Repair/Replace, the current exhibition at Gallery Lane Cove. Our conversation touched on the curatorial process, the role of found objects in art, and the unexpected significance they can hold. Gary Gregg shared insights into his collages made from studio detritus, and the
Episode 228 - Michael Kempson: Mastering Printmaking, Mentorship, and the Art of Collaboration
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Art Wank Podcast, we sit down with Michael Kempson, one of Australia’s leading master printers. With a career spanning over three decades, Michael has made a profound impact on the field of printmaking through his own practice as well as his work as a mentor, collaborator and educator.Michael is best known as the founder and director of Cicada Press, an educa
Episode 227 – Ana Pollak: Art Inspired by Dangar Island and the Natural World
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Art Wank Podcast, we talk with acclaimed Australian artist Ana Pollak, whose practice is shaped by the natural beauty and quiet rhythms of Dangar Island, her home on the Hawkesbury River. Ana’s work evokes a strong sense of place, combining close observation with an intimate emotional connection to her surroundings. Her drawings and paintings capture shifting
Episode 226 - 2025 Northern Beaches Environmental Art & Design Prize winners
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Art Wank Podcast, we celebrate the creative brilliance of the 2025 Northern Beaches Environmental Art and Design Prize winners. We speak with Renjie Teoh, this year’s Design Prize recipient, whose collaboration with artist Gary Carsley offers a fresh and thought‑provoking take on contemporary design. Although Gary was unable to join us for the recording, his
Episode 225 - Art Critic John Mcdonald on Art, Opinions, and Calling It Like He Sees It
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Art Wank, we sit down with one of Australia’s most respected – and at times divisive – voices in the art world, John McDonald. Known for his decades-long career as an art critic and columnist, John brings sharp insight, dry humour, and a deep knowledge of art history to the conversation.We discuss the role and relevance of art prizes in today’s cultural landscape
Episode 224 - James Drinkwater: Ballet, Brushes and Travel Stories
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Art Wank podcast, we speak with Australian artist James Drinkwater, known for his vibrant paintings, sculpture, poetry, and music. Drinkwater, originally from Newcastle, NSW, has built a reputation for his layered, gestural works and multidisciplinary practice. He won the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship in 2014, which allowed him to work in Paris, a
Episode 223 - Ann Cape: A Life in Portraiture
Send us Fan MailAnn Cape is a celebrated Australian artist whose career spans over four decades, marked by her evocative portraiture, sensitive explorations of memory, and enduring commitment to arts education. Based in Sydney, Cape has established herself as a leading figure in figurative painting, known for her ability to capture not only the physical likeness of her subjects but also a deep psy
Episode 222 - Studio A - Art, Access and Adventure with CEO Gab Mordy and Artist Thom Roberts
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we’re joined by two key figures from Studio A—CEO Gab Mordy and artist Thom Roberts—for a lively chat about carving out space for neurodiverse artists in the contemporary art world.Thom shares insights into his recent solo exhibition in Canberra at the National Portrait Gallery, 'The Immersive World of Thom Roberts', reflecting on the ideas behind the wor
Episode 221 - Katherine Edney - a conversation about painting, motherhood and more
Send us Fan MailKatherine Edney is a Sydney-based artist whose evocative oil paintings delve into themes of identity, memory, and emotional transformation. Born in 1983, she holds a Master of Fine Arts by Research in Painting from UNSW’s College of Fine Arts (2008), as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts with First Class Honours (2004).Edney’s work has received wide recognition in major Australian art
Episode 220 - Ann Thomson - Australian legend still painting everyday in her 90's
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Art Wank, we dive into the dynamic and prolific career of Australian artist Ann Thomson, whose expressive, abstract works have made her a vital force in Australian contemporary art for over five decades. Born in 1933 in Brisbane and trained at the National Art School in Sydney, Thomson’s practice has always defied easy categorisation. Her paintings and sculptures
Episode 219 - Kyle Murrell - Exploration of abstract painting
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we delve into the practice of Sydney-based artist Kyle Murrell, whose abstract works explore the tension between structure and meaning. A 2013 Honours graduate of the National Art School, Murrell has garnered accolades including the John Olsen Prize for Figure Drawing and the Elioth Gruner Prize for Landscape Painting . His process is rooted in drawing, serving as
Episode 218 - Teresa Biet, Founder of Art Incubator, philanthropy in the arts
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Art Wank, we speak with Teresa Biet, founder (alongside her husband Andre) and director of Art Incubator – a philanthropic initiative that champions emerging Australian artists through financial support, mentorship, and increased visibility. Teresa shares her deep passion for the arts and her belief in their power to inspire change and foster community. We discus
Episode 217 - Lottie Consalvo, a meditative artistic practice
Send us Fan MailLottie Consalvo is a deeply intuitive and reflective artist whose recent body of work has been profoundly shaped by time spent meditating and working in the Australian bush. Her latest exhibition, Long Dawn, recently shown at her Sydney gallery Nanda Hobbs, reveals the contemplative power of being immersed in nature — where solitude, stillness, and the landscape become integral to
Episode 216 - David Collins, painter inspired by the Hawkesbury river
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Art Wank, we delve into the world of Australian landscape painter David Collins, whose latest solo exhibition, Brevity, is currently on view at Defiance Gallery in Sydney from May 3 to 24, 2025 .Collins has been a significant figure in the Australian art scene since the early 1990s . Residing on Dangar Island in the Hawkesbury River since 1987, his daily interact
Episode 215 - Matt Bromhead on Drawing, painting and the Space Between.
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Art Wank, we sit down with Sydney-based artist Matt Bromhead to dive into his multidisciplinary practice, which spans drawing, sculpture, and painting. Known for his expressive use of materials and intuitive mark-making, Matt shares insights into his creative process, his influences, and how his work explores form, space, and texture.We chat about: 🎨 His journey
Episode 214 - Oliver Abbott
Send us Fan MailArt Wank Podcast – Oliver Abbott Welcome back to Art Wank! In this episode, we chat with Sydney-based artist Oliver Abbott, whose latest exhibition, Mine, is currently showing at Dominik Mersch Gallery.Oliver’s practice explores memory and its distortions, using digital world-building tools to reconstruct remembered spaces. His background in filmmaking, animation, and architecture
Episode 213 - Janis Clarke
Send us Fan MailJanis Clarke's exhibition at Olsen Gallery, The Other Sun, opens March 5th - 29th March 2025. Janis Clarke, born in 1983 in Sydney, Australia, is a distinguished contemporary artist renowned for his evocative oil paintings that delve into the nuances of perception and memory. His academic journey in the arts commenced with an Advanced Diploma of Performance Art from JMC Academ
Epiosde 212 - George Hartley, co-founder of Bluethumb Online Art Gallery
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Art Wank, we chat with George Hartley, co-founder of Bluethumb, Australia's largest online art marketplace. George shares insights into the business side of art, the evolution of Bluethumb, and how artists can leverage online platforms to build their careers. From navigating the digital art world to understanding collector trends, this episode is packed with
Episode 211 - Steve Lopes
Send us Fan MailSteve Lopes “I try to deal with the figure and the landscape together. For me, it’s about the relationship we have with our surrounds. The tensionbetween the two both visually and metaphorically is what makes itinteresting to tackle as a subject.” Steve Lopes Born in Sydney, Lopes trained in both Australia and the UK, refining a unique visual language that blends elements of trad
Episode 210 - Justin Williams
Send us Fan MailWe interviewed artist Justin Williams at COMA Gallery in Marrickville, Sydney, during his solo show, Waiting for Lavender, on until 22nd February 2025.Justin lives and works in Santa Fe, New Mexico, splitting his time between there and a studio in Paris. We had a great conversation about his journey as an artist, including his early years working in New York. His work is narrative-
Episode 209 - Myfanwy Gullifer
Send us Fan MailMyfanwy Gullifer is represented by King Street Gallery in Sydney. We had a great time chatting with Myf over Zoom before Christmas while she was at her farm in Walcha, NSW. We discussed her ceramic art practice, the challenges of being an artist, balancing life between the farm and the city, and much more.Thanks Myf. Her show will be later in 2025 at King St. Gallery. 'Myfanwy
Episode 208 - Nick Smith, director of N. Smith Gallery
Send us Fan MailBefore Christmas 2024, we had the pleasure of speaking with Nick Smith at his N.Smith Gallery, located at 15 Foster St, Surry Hills, Sydney. Nick is an engaging conversationalist and clearly passionate about his work. He established the gallery in 2021, and it has since grown into one of Sydney's most respected and celebrated art spaces. During our chat, Nick shared his journe
Episode 207 - Teddy Hansen, British Danish artist
Send us Fan MailGary discovered the Alveston Gallery in Notting Hill, London, during his travels and was drawn to the work of Teddy Hansen, who was exhibiting at the time. After a conversation with Fergus Downey, the gallery owner, Gary arranged a Zoom meeting with Teddy to learn more about his practice.We’re releasing this podcast just ahead of the London Art Fair, where the Alveston Gallery will
Episode 206 - Nasim Nasr
Send us Fan MailNasim Nasr is an Iranian-born Australian artist whose work focuses on the issues facing her home country of Iran and the challenges she has experienced as a woman and female artist. These circumstances ultimately led her to leave Iran at the age of 25. Nasim relocated to Australia with her younger siblings, where she has built a life for herself and her family while establishing he
Episode 205 - Wayne Eager and Marina Strocchi
Send us Fan MailGary first met Wayne and Marina through artist and previous podcast guest Tony Mighell. We spoke to them over zoom a few weeks ago from their home in Melbourne. Thanks for speaking to us about your artwork and time in the art centres near Alice Springs. Wayne Eager is represented by Australian Galleries - 'Wayne Eager is a gestural artist, absorbed with form, colour and textur
Episode 204 - Max and Gabby Germanos, Art Collectors and founders of 333 Projects
Send us Fan MailThank you to Max and Gabby Germanos, art collectors and founders of 333 Art Projects, for welcoming us into your home to view your incredible collection and share insights about art collecting. From their first purchase to navigating the journey of collecting as a couple and curating a collection suited to a family, Max and Gabby offered a fascinating perspective. They discussed th
Episode 203 - Brand X Director and Co-founder James Winter
Send us Fan MailToday's podcast features James Winter, the visionary co-founder and director of Brand X, which has been creating affordable spaces for artists since 2005. With a background in dramatic and performing arts, James recognized a need for reliable, affordable rehearsal and creative spaces, leading him to establish Brand X over 20 years ago. We spoke with James about the changing fa
Episode 202 - Tom Carment
Send us Fan MailThank you to artist Tom Carment for speaking with us on Art Wank! We visited Tom at his home in Sydney and talked about his long career as an artist. He predominantly paints outdoors, carrying a backpack filled with supplies and capturing interesting sights along the way—whether it's a jacaranda tree, rooftops, or a unique view. His work is like a visual diary, immediate and i
Episode 201 - Idris Murphy
Send us Fan MailWe’re excited to celebrate our 200th episode of Art Wank with the incredible Idris Murphy During our visit to Idris’ home studio, we had a captivating conversation about his journey as an artist and his thought-provoking philosophies on art and painting. Idris is a bold, well-read artist who constantly pushes the limits of his practice, and our discussion was truly inspiring. A big
Episode 200 - Tanya Linney
Send us Fan MailTanya Linney currently has a show, 'Cocoon', on at CBD gallery, Erskine St., Sydney until 9th November 2024. 'Tanya Linney is a Sydney/Gadigal based multi-disciplinary artist. Passionate about the representation of the everyday and domesticity through the lens of historical art references . Linney looks to transform the materiality of paint and gesture through multip
Episode 199 - Deirdre Bean
Send us Fan MailDeirdre Bean We interviewed Deirdre in her home studio in Newcastle surrounded by her wonderful paintings. We spoke to her about residencies, techniques of her work, working with Margaret Olleys objects for her current show at Tweed Regional gallery, her PHD in drawing mangrove species, creating an Australian postage stamp, and much more…She currently has a show on at Tweed Regiona
Episode 198 - Euan Macleod
Send us Fan MailWe had the pleasure of interviewing Euan in his studio, where we were immersed in his incredible artworks and drawings. Euan shared insights into his life as an artist, his views on the art world, and his creative process. With a career spanning over 50 exhibitions and numerous accolades, his achievements speak for themselves. See more below! Thanks for your time Euan. Euan is rep
Episode 197 - Arts Matter - Michelle Grey and Susan Armstrong
Send us Fan MailJulie recently sat down with Michelle Grey and Susan Armstrong, the co-founders of Arts Matter, for an interview. Unfortunately, Gary couldn’t join as he is currently overseas.Arts Matter is a membership platform that offers a series of intimate programs in contemporary spaces around Sydney. What Michelle and Susan have built is truly remarkable. They come from diverse backgrounds,
Episode 196 - Art Wank hosts, Fiona Verity and Julie Nicholson with Gary Seller
Send us Fan MailGary Seller (co-host of Art Wank) wanted to interview us—Julie and Fiona—about our practices and the podcast. Its been a smooth transition as Gary joins the podcast, and Fiona steps back to focus on her commitments at NAS. Gary delves into the origins of the podcast and its future direction.Fiona shares her experience of returning to university as a mature-age student and gives ins
Episode 195 - The Elliott Eyes Collection - Art Collectors Gordon Elliott and Michael Eyes
Send us Fan MailWhat an incredible collection! Gary and I visited their fantastic terrace house in Erskineville, where every wall is adorned with art. Tune in now to discover how they built their collection, the day jobs that support their passion, how they select each piece, and what they hope their legacy will be. It’s a great conversation with two fascinating individuals—thank you, Gordon and M
Episode 194 - Rachel Milne
Send us Fan MailA few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of interviewing Rachel in her home studio in Newcastle, NSW. Thank you for having us and treating us to a lovely lunch.'Rachel Milne is a professional fine art painter based in Newcastle, NSW. Rachel specialises in figurative and observational oil painting, in the style of the impressionists, mainly focusing on the genre Intimism. Originall
