Yarrenyty Arltere Artists: Soft sculptures

These colourful and whimsical soft sculptures were created by women from the Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, an Indigenous art enterprise near Alice Springs. We delve into the origins of these remarkable creatures, as well as the positive impact that making art has had on the local community. Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, an Indigenous art enterprise in Yarrenyty…

An incident at Romani: In memory of the Light Horse Field Ambulance, Brisbane

During the First World War, George W Lambert (1873-1930) served Australia as an Official War Artist attached to the ANZAC Mounted Division. He spent two terms in service, the first with the Light Horse in Palestine, and the second in Gallipoli and Egypt before his military contract discharge, when he was commissioned to paint an…

‘The bomber’ captures the athleticism and bravery of a WWI soldier

Based on drawings made in the field, Web Gilbert’s (1867-1925) The bomber c.1915-21 depicts a First World War figure of a grenade-throwing soldier. The swinging leverage of the soldier’s outstretched arms practically rotates above the power and stability of his climbing stride. With this strong and balanced stance, Gilbert at once captures the athleticism and…

In contemplation

There are times in the day when simply lazying around is a must, sprawled across the couch with a good book. Australian artist Emanuel Phillips Fox’s (1865-1915) The end of the story c.1911-12 depicts a woman in contemplation, reclining upon a chaise lounge, with her fingers marking a page in a closed book — in…

Thea Proctor’s woodcut reminds us of life’s simple pleasures

Thea Proctor’s vibrant hand-coloured woodcut Summer, inspired by the tradition of Japanese ukiyo-e prints, brings me joy because it reminds me of life’s simple pleasures (ikigai).  In 1921, having spent much of the past two decades in London, Thea Proctor returned to Australia and settled in Sydney where she became an influential artist and a…

Mavis Ngallametta found a new home in her painting

Prior to commencing painting, Mavis Ngallametta (1944–2019) was a renowned weaver. An elder of the Putch clan and a cultural leader of the Wik and Kugu people of Aurukun, Ngallametta was one of the most well-regarded senior community-based artists in Australia. She made a profound contribution to arts and culture nationally before her passing. Over…