National – Art and Artists Blog – Melbourne, Australia

by zhen - January 19, 2015

‘James Turrell: A Retrospective’ NGA Canberra

Happy New Year 2015! I have a few exciting posts coming up for 2015 and can't wait to share them with you. Expect more regular posting.

I was very lucky to have been able to go to Canberra recently to visit family and see some amazing exhibitions. Today I want to talk about James Turrell's show "James Turrell: A Retrospective" 13 December 2014 – 8 June 2015 at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA), Canberra. This is a paid exhibition costing $20.39- $45.88. The more expensive premium tickets are for experiencing 'Perceptual cell', which I unfortunately didn't get to do because it was booked out when I was there. Also note that 'Within without' is part of the permanent collection and can be viewed for free, this work is best viewed at dawn or dusk to fully appreciate the lighting effects.

So what did I think? I really loved seeing & experiencing both his earlier works through to his more recent immersive works. I also loved seeing other visitors have a sense of curiosity and wonder about the work. I loved the show so much I plan on seeing it again when I go back up to work on a commission and I hope to be able to get a ticket to the 'Perceptual cell'. Premium tickets are selling out fast so if you plan on going to Canberra try and book the tickets now otherwise you might miss out.

As photos were not allowed in the exhibition, here are some images and a video provided by NGA.

James Turrell
Within without 2010
Skyspace: lighting installation, concrete and basalt stupa, water, earth, landscaping
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
© James Turrell
photograph: John Gollings

James Turrell
Shanta II (blue) 1970
Cross-corner construction: fluorescent light, built space
Dimensions variable: 106.6cm (max height of aperture)
Image: National Gallery of Australia

James Turrell
Afrum (white) 1966
Cross-corner projection: projected light
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
© James Turrell
photograph © Florian Holzherr

James Turrell
Virtuality squared 2014
Ganzfeld: built space, LED lights
800 x 1400 x 1940.5 cm (overall)
Collection James Turrell
Image: National Gallery of Australia

James Turrell
Bindu shards 2010
Perceptual cell: fiberglass and metal. Light program
420.8 x 653.1 x 607.1 cm (sphere)
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, purchased 2014
Image: National Gallery of Australia

by zhen - September 3, 2014

Doug Moran National Portrait Prize 2014

The Moran Arts Foundation has announced the 150 semi-finalists for its annual Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, believed to be the world’s most valuable portrait prize.

This annual competition, established as part of Australia’s bi-centennial celebrations in 1988, has grown to be one of the country’s most prestigious art awards, attracting almost 1,000 entries in 2014, up ten percent on last year’s entries.

The Doug Moran National Portrait Prize awards an acquisitive prize of $150,000 to the winner, plus $1,000 to each of 30 finalists.

The competition invites entries of original works from Australian artists, capturing Australians from all walks of life, whether a public figure or someone from their own circle of experience.

Images of the 150 semi-finalists work, submitted from all corners of the country, are now available for public viewing at http://www.moranprizes.com.au/gallery/portrait

Thirty of these works will be selected as finalists and be on display at the 2014 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize exhibition, which will be open to the public free of charge throughout the summer, from October 29, 2014, to February 15, 2015, at Juniper Hall in Paddington, Sydney.

Below are some of my favourite works:

'Rosie'
Joshua Cocking

'Spit'
Prudence Flint

'Bill-1383'
Louise Hearman

'Alice'
Dagmar Cyrulla

'The Stone Sculptor(Tony McWilliam)'
Peter Smeeth

Straight into the Sun
Julian Meagher

by zhen - August 22, 2012August 29, 2014

2012 National Works on Paper winner

Congratulations to Laith McGregor, winner of the $15000. The exhibition runs from 19 August – 7 October 2012 the at the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery. Also you can click here to vote for the Peoples Choice Award. (As I'm in the show I hope you vote for me but of course you don't have to). Below is the winning work The Astronomer.

Also a nice video ABC did on him, he is actually working on The Astronomer drawing…

Images via Laith McGregor's blog