Visual Arts
Featured Stories
From Tour de France to Mount Liebig - the Bikes for Bush project
August 25, 2010You wouldn't normally associate the Tour de France with remote Aboriginal communities but a new project hopes to bring those closer together with benefits for everyone.... more >
Who'll Stop the Rain
August 23, 2010Wherever you look in central Launceston this week, an umbrella may catch your eye, and it has even stopped raining!... more >
Latest Visual Arts across the ABC
Jenny Gillies has returned to this year's Royal Adelaide Show with another fantasy of wearable flowers and fruit.... more >
Go vintage, Prince Charles tells Vogue readers
Prince Charles has a woolly idea or two about how vintage clothes, recycling and the fashion industry can help protect the planet.... more >
Babushka dolls encourage thought about the burka
A collection of Russian matryoshka dolls recently acquired by the Art Gallery of Ballarat delves into the burka's impact on the identity of women. ... more >
Drawing lessons from peacekeeping
The Australian War Memorial has branched out to include peacekeeping in its art commissions and Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands are the latest to provide inspiration to two contemporary artists.... more >
Volunteer run museum wins national award
Lismore based Richmond River Historical Society wins 2010 Regional Museums Award.... more >
Second time lucky for Blake prize winner
61-year-old painter Leonard Brown has won the prestigious Blake Prize for religious and spiritual art.... more >
Surf photographer rides crest of success
A Tasmanian surfing photographer has won an international award. ... more >
Urban gets two country music nods
Keith Urban has been nominated for two top Country Music Association Awards, but the pressing question is what his famous wife will wear to Nashville's big night.... more >
Artists documents experience of Australian soldiers serving in peacekeeping missions.... more >
Gone With The Wind fans give for gowns
Gone With The Wind fans donate thousands to prove, frankly, they do give a damn about Scarlett's dresses.... more >
Regional Museums Award winner is...?
For the past three years, ABC Radio National has invited Australia's regional museums to step forward and tell us why they should be recognised as the finest in the land. The Regional Museums Award focuses on museums as story-tellers and local ambassadors... more >
Local artist Robert Stanley presents his take on the future of mankind for ABC Open.... more >
Collingwood painting sells for $900,000
An anonymous buyer has purchased a 1953 painting of three Collingwood footballers for $900,000.... more >
Behind the lens with Katherine Davis
Katherine Davis doesn't need much to be happy - some nice weather, a camera in hand and someone to take photos of. As her folio grows, so does the amount of people hoping to pose for her.... more >
Ralph Snowball travelled the Hunter documenting an important time in the area's development.... more >
Through the eyes of Rosie Jones
Rosie Jones was a GP in rural Queensland until life took an unexpected turn and changed her perspective on one of Australia's growing health issues. ABC Open brings you her story.... more >
A nice touch at this year's Alice Desert Festival are the colourful flags decorating places like Olive Pink Botanical Gardens, Monte's Bar and even the Alice Springs Hospital.... more >
Trends and Products: 'Green' loans
With the trends towards green buildings, certainly at the top end of the commercial market, this discussion with Rob Murray-Leach looks at where you can go to get a 'green' loan -- a loan that will allow you to borrow money for green building projects.... more >
Venice Biennale of Architecture
Quite a few among the hordes of international tourists in Venice this week will be wearing black; black being the preferred colour and quasi uniform of the architectural fraternity. Every two years the city hosts the world's pre-eminent architecture exhib... more >
In Conversation: Michael Bryce
This week in our In Conversation spot we talk to Michael Bryce. He's Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Art and Design at the University of Canberra, he was Principal Designer of 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and is a Life Fellow of both the Australian Inst... more >
666 ABC Canberra listeners visit James Turrell's new work Within without.... more >
An amazingly lifelike sculpture is causing a sensation at the Shepparton Art Gallery, where people are stopping by in their hundreds to have a look. ... more >
Council defends director's sacking
The Launceston City Council has defended its decision to dismiss the director of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery. ... more >
From boomerangs to didgeridoos, Aboriginal art is a huge part of Aussie culture. Aboriginal paintings and crafts often hang in souvenir shops and art galleries around the country. But over the past few years fake Aboriginal art and craft has been brough... more >
The art n craft pathway of my life
Respected writer and local historian, Norma Wainwright, tried her hand at many arts and crafts before eventually finding her true inspired passion.... more >
Titian painting damaged by water
Water sprayed by firefighters has damaged a painting by Renaissance master Titian at a Venice basilica.... more >
The Junction 2010 regional arts festival brought a big splash of colour and plenty of movement to the Tasmanian city of Launceston.... more >
Artist-run initiatives (ARIs) are often forced to work out of decrepit buildings, but this is not so for M16 Artspace, which had just moved into a brand new residence in Canberra. To celebrate, they let ABC Arts go behind the scenes of this unique organis... more >
More security flaws unveiled in Van Gogh theft
A single security guard usually worked in the Cairo museum from which a Vincent Van Gogh painting was stolen, Egypt's state news agency MENA reports.... more >
Fenella Kernebone visits Wrongtown, a million dollar family home turned into one giant art installation by a group of 25 artists, over the course of 3 weeks.... more >
Reko Rennie attends the 27th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, the premier art award for Indigenous artists. The awards are held every year at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin.... more >
Photographers protest landmark permits
Hundreds of photographers have gathered on the Sydney Harbour foreshore to rally against laws which prevent them from taking pictures of Australian landmarks without a permit. ... more >
If you've ever trawled through mountains of archives without finding very much, this story will make you quite jealous. It's about the unexpected discovery that Victor Hugo's famous character the Hunchback of Notre-Dame was not as fictional as we've alway... more >
Green Power, politically speaking, is very much in our minds at the moment -- as things hang in the balance. Just as it is, artistically speaking, at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. In a sprawling exhibition that's just opened there, some 30 ar... more >
A new book about the life and work of Antarctic photographer Frank Hurley.... more >
Nostalgic artwork wins new media prize
This year's National New Media Art Award winner, described as an "interactive animation experience", has been won by two Victorians.... more >
Other artists take up a sketch book, pencil or some paints, for Stephen King it's a chisel, hammer and hand saw... more >
Ballarat artist looks back at Buna
Ballarat artist Michael Grant travelled to Papua New Guinea in 2008/9 and created a series of work reflecting events that took place on the battlefields of Buna during the Second World War.... more >
Helicopter crabs take-off at the Darwin Festival
Ever finish eating a crab, look at the shell and think, that could be a work of art? Australian-Filipino artist Alwin Reamillo did; his artwork Thuringowa Helicopter Project is on display as part of the Darwin Festival... more >
Sydney student wins Whiteley scholarship
Sydney artist Belem Lett has won the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship.... more >
612's port-a-cosy under construction
Fifteen volunteer knitters (including Queensland Premier Anna Bligh) gathered at the Musgrave Park Cultural Centre to piece together the 612 port-a-cosy.... more >
Deputy nabs Portrait Gallery's top job
The Federal Government has appointed a new director of the National Portrait Gallery.... more >
Tamworth hosts the Archibald Prize
The nation's most prestigious art award arrives in Tamworth... more >
A Melbourne costume collector has her mind set on a collection of hidden treasures which lie in the store room of the Art Gallery of Ballarat.... more >
Artyculture 2010 at the Eyre Peninsula Field Days
Fashion designed from stuff that 10 years ago you may have just thrown into the bin.... more >
Big art breaks out of the vault
Some of the largest pieces of art at the Mildura gallery have come out of hiding for the first time in a decade. The works have been exhibited, to make room for renovations in the gallery vault.... more >
Gallery honours wealthy donors
Part of the new exhibition space at the National Gallery of Australia will be named in honour of a couple who donated $7 million to the project.... more >
Businessman offers reward for missing Van Gogh
Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris has offered a one million Egyptian pound ($198,000) reward for information leading to the recovery of a stolen Vincent Van Gogh painting.... more >
Snappers want 'Ulu-rules' eased
1,000 leading photographers are protesting against rules that restrict them from taking photos of Australia's natural icons.... more >
Art lovers to lose themselves in laneways
Melburnians are being encouraged to explore the city's laneways as a new season of public artworks goes on display.... more >
12 arrested in counterfeit art sting
Police in Italy have arrested 12 people after art collectors paid about $10 million for counterfeit paintings.... more >
The Guestroom - Charlotte Smith
Charlotte Smith is the owner and curator of The Darnell Collection - a vast vintage clothing and accessories collection she inherited from her godmother Doris Darnell from America.... more >
The Pingrup Progress Association is launching a photo-book on Friday which provides a window into the lives of their local community.... more >
Egypt plans command centre to protect antiquities
Egypt plans to implement a security command centre to its protect vast cultural and archaeological riches.... more >
Trends and Products: why the hospital is a place of the past
At her party launch during the election leadup, Julia Gillard announced a program that would allow us to get medical advice using broadband to talk to the doctor, rather than visiting the doctor face-to-face. In this interview By Design looks at these new... more >
How can architects contribute towards making ordinary lives better? Once upon a time, architects relied on princes and popes for patronage. Humble men couldn't afford their service. Even today, the one-off architect-designed home remains a privilege; it... more >
Buffel grass becomes fashionable
To some it is an introduced pest, to others it makes great pasture, but have you ever thought of buffel grass as being something that would be good to wear? Well, that's exactly what a group of Alice Springs craft enthusiasts did, when they stitched thei... more >
Hobart might not be known as a city of lights, but if you look in the right places at the right times of day, you'll notice the city does light up in a number of ways as the sun goes down. Take a tour of Hobart at night.... more >
Dr Bob Jacobs is a psychologist who has worked in youth advocacy for over 25 years. Gladys Busch is an artisan doll-maker.... more >
Officials arrested over Van Gogh theft
Egypt's head of fine arts arrested pending an investigation into the theft of a Vincent Van Gogh painting.... more >
A dress made out of buffel grass took out the Wearable Arts Award, at the Alice Springs Desert Festival held over the weekend.... more >
RT@#media140: Translation? Check out media140
Can Twitter, Facebook and blogging transform the art of politics? The real-time web moment is here and media140 is the way to navigate the maze.... more >
This year's winner of the Alice Springs "Wearable Arts Awards" was an outfit made out of Buffel Grass and modelled by 783 ABC's very own Marie Bout...... more >
Water flying off a breaching whale caught the judge's eye in the ABC Local Whale Spot photo competition... more >
How do enviornmental concerns and art go together? An art exhibition that opened on the weekend explores that...... more >
Hunt on for Van Gogh after Cairo heist
Egypt has stepped up the search for a Van Gogh painting stolen in broad daylight from a Cairo museum.... more >
Hunt on for Van Gogh after Cairo heist
Egypt has stepped up the search for a Van Gogh painting stolen in broad daylight from a Cairo museum.... more >
James Turrell is one of American's leading contemporary artists and for the first time in Australia we have a chance to experience one of his major installations, called Skyspace, Within Without, at the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.... more >
Highly regarded painter and collagist Colin Lanceley, now an elder in the art world, reflects on his early career and current exhibition.... more >
Egypt backtracks on stolen Van Gogh recovery
Egypt's culture minister has backtracked on a claim that two Italians have been arrested with a stolen Van Gogh painting, blaming a subordinate for giving "inaccurate" information.... more >
Julian Day, composer and performer on vintage organs.
He's also the creator of An Infinity Room (A.I.R.) a new ensemble which champions pre-loved synthesizers, keyboards and organs. They create Zen-like situations resulting in spacious and resonant soundworlds and incorporating installations.... more >
27th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award
At the 27th National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award this year, artists from each state and territory submitted works for the coveted prize. It's the longest running award dedicated to the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artist... more >
A retrospective of some of the Territory's iconic political art is on display at Charles Darwin University.... more >
A tour of Macquarie lighthouse
Sydney has Australia's oldest lighthouse site, one that's still in use today, and, to give us a feel of the atmosphere at Macquarie Lighthouse we can go on a tour of it.... more >
Miss Universe NZ cops flak for foreign dress
Miss Universe New Zealand cops flak for not wearing a Kiwi designed dress for the national costume competition.... more >
Aboriginal art industry struggling
Many artists, wholesalers and retailers within the aboriginal arts industry say they are struggling. Blaming in part the recent decline in international tourism but they also say a flood of pseudo-aboriginal craft imports from Bali, China and Vietnam is d... more >
Keep the fire burning - Queensland's last hot glass studio to close
Glass blowing artists are set to lose their studio if they don't find the necessary funds needed to keep it open.... more >
Paint dries on art acquisition fund
Three works by artist Mary Scott have been purchased by the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery with funding from the State Government.... more >
A new exhibition at the Kalgoorlie-Boulder focussed on a tradition not associated with the dust and dirt of the goldfields - quilting.... more >
Week Five: Dave from Albury's election blog
Week Five: Albury-based blogger Dave Gaukroger's online observations during the federal election campaign.... more >
Week Six: Dave from Albury's election blog
Week Six: Albury-based blogger Dave Gaukroger's online observations following election night.... more >
Sitting on the edge cliff overlooking the Dandry Gorge, these scultures are a magnificent site.... more >
If you've ever had trouble finding a builder, plumber or electrician to help you build a house in the city, then spare a thought for people in the outback regions of Australia. Small populations in isolated locations often mean a shortage of qualified tra... more >
The Federal election campaign has seen the seniors' vote wooed with promises of increased spending for more aged care residential beds. But, given a choice, most elderly people would, of course, want to stay in their own homes. But with old age comes frai... more >
Elizabeth Farrelly: the city is our greatest work of art
Elizabeth Farrelly sees the city as our greatest work of art, but asks why are Australians -- usually keen to adopt the best available to modern citizens -- hesitant to engage with their urban spaces?... more >
Bookmakers: designing the jacket
While most attention about making books at the moment is on digital publishing, a lot of effort still goes into designing the physical object; from the choice of the font type, to the size of the book, the type of paper, to the book cover. It is a combi... more >
Urban Storm water pollution is a time bomb for the marine creatures living in our rivers and bays. But an intelligent raingarden network designed to clean up storm water and store it for reuse could revitalise our waterways while climate proofing our citi... more >
Australian artists still struggling
While Australians have always been passionate consumers of art, many working in this industry struggle to make a living from their work. There are concerns about the implications this has on our cultural life.... more >
Shrine: An exhibition of tributes to lives lost on Australia's outback roads
Almost everyone in Australia knows someone who has lost their life in a car accident, especially in the Northern Territory where we have the highest road toll per capita in the country. This photographic exhibition at the 2010 Darwin Festival captures the... more >
Australia's most famous and most controversial photographer speaks out about the importance of subversive art...and the failure of politicians to defend it.... more >
Michelangelo's David in ownership tug of war
A longstanding dispute over who owns Michelangelo's statue David has reopened between the Italian government and the city of Florence.... more >
Space to ponder the wild blue yonder
A monumental new art installation celebrating light and nature has been unveiled at the National Gallery.... more >
Podtowns: Norm from Castlemaine
Norm, our Castlemaine correspondent for Podtowns, has plenty of news about what's going on in Castlemaine.... more >
Gunnedah Artists commissioned to create Mary Poppins in bronze
She's already a bronzed Queenslander, but Gunnedah artist Tanya Bartlett has been commissioned to create another Mary Poppins for Bowral in NSW.... more >
Yiwarra Kuju: The Canning Stock Route
Filmmaker Kenneth KJ Martin takes us behind the scenes of one of the Canning Stock Route Project's creative workshops, an intercultural journey recording and sharing the vibrancy of desert life today.... more >
'And then what happened?' This is the phrase that ties the contributions in Neil Gaiman's co-edited anthology called Stories: All New Tales. It opens with Roddy Doyle and a Dublin vampire, then to Joyce Carol Oates telling a tale of twins -- one demon br... more >
Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art hosts a major a retrospective of the work of the famous fashion designer, Valentino Garavani.... more >
After Hours at the Dinosaurs' Museum
Another of the events at the Darwin Festival -- one that's for children and adults but mostly for children -- is a show called After Hours at the Dinosaurs' Museum. And it's being performed at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory by Erth V... more >
While hardened culture lovers in much of Australia are battling wild, wintry weather to get to the theatre or visit a gallery, smart people have flown north to catch the rich mix of events that distinguish the Darwin Festival -- events that highlight Darw... more >
Last week's Melbourne Art Fair was a big glossy biennial extravaganza where the art market went to town showing off what it has to offer. People flew in from all over, champagne flowed and a million art deals were done. The buzz was huge and off the back ... more >
Paintings by Archibald-winning artist Judy Cassab and sculptures by her son, John Seed, on display at the Solander Gallery.... more >
Indigenous art market faces code of conduct
As sellers flock to the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, the Federal Government continues its development of an industry wide code of conduct.... more >
Fears raised for island's Indigenous art future
A Queensland art coordinator has raised fears the future of Indigenous art on Queensland's Mornington Island is under threat as not enough young people are learning traditional painting.... more >
And the winner is, Jimmy Donegan
The winner of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander award has been announced in Darwin today. South Australian artist Jimmy Donegan won the prestigious award for his work on two stories titled Papa Tjukurpa (dingo dreaming) and Pukara (water ... more >
First-time entrant wins Indigenous art award
Jimmy Donegan, 70, had never seen the ocean before travelling to Darwin to accept Australia's most prestigious Indigenous art prize.... more >
Paintings snatched in million-dollar art heist
Thieves have escaped with up to $2m worth of artworks by Charles Blackman, Norman Lindsay and Pro Hart after a burglary at an eastern Sydney home.... more >
Dreamtime paintings win national award
South Australian painter Mr Donegan has won the $40,000 national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art award.... more >
National Gallery unveils ancestral Asian art
The National Gallery's Life, Death And Magic exhibition celebrates ancestral art from South East Asia.... more >
Local art hangs in Parliament House
Local artist David Woodford says he's proud to have his work hanging in "probably the most important building in Queensland". Last week he presented the Speaker with a linocut print of Parliament House.... more >
Christie's sued over 150-year-old drawings
The city of New York is suing Christie's auction house for the return of architectural drawings dating back to 1860.... more >
The Launceston City Council has sacked the director of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery.... more >
Week Four: Dave from Albury's election blog
Week Four: Albury-based blogger Dave Gaukroger's online observations during the federal election campaign.... more >
Portraits of Invisible People is an art exhibition by Kickstart Arts in partnership with rehabilitation service Headway and community members whose lives have been affected by acquired brain injury. ... more >
Retired history teacher Geoff Ostling is the proud owner of a very beautiful suit.... more >
Wilhelm Blandowski returns to Mildura
Wilhelm Blandowski is best known in northern Victoria for his time spent in 1857 at what is now the Merbein township collecting specimens of birds, mammals and fish, documenting them and contributing to environmental conservation.... more >
Italian design and the legacy of Achille Castiglioni
If you think of nations who have led the way in the world of design over the past century, you might think of the Nordic countries: Finland, Denmark and Sweden. But for most people, another nation springs to mind when you mention the words 'design' and 'e... more >
Indigenous support teacher Jessica Smith was last month named 2010 Naidoc Youth of the Year.... more >
Local Life captured by Eyre Peninsula artists
The amateur artists of Eyre Peninsula have answered the call to man the easels in this year's South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival Local Life competition.... more >
Have you ever rummaged through an old cupboard and discovered something which made your heart race? Priceless bark paintings from Arnhem Land have been discovered in a cupboard at a school in Canberra.... more >
Portrait of death wins $150k prize
Fatherhood fears leads to $150,000 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize for Brisbane-based artist Michael Zavros.... more >
Spot a cocky competition winners announced!
ABC Great Southern Saturday Breakfast with Nick Bosly-Pask has been running a "Spot a Cocky" competition for the past 4 weeks.... more >
In response to the Black Saturday bushfires, Louis Patterson has created a monument to fire-fighters and it's on show in his first solo exhibition titled, A Year of Reckoning.... more >
Wall wounds in Western Victoria
Carmel Wallace is a Portland artist whose work is part of a travelling exhibition investigating Victoria's Western District. ... more >
The head of Launceston's Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery has vigorously denied allegations he failed to deal with workplace bullying and harassment. ... more >
The amateur artists of the Riverland and Mallee have answered the call to man the easels in this year's South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival Local Life competition.... more >
Have you ever done the Darwin shake hand dance? It was just one of the moves and grooves of the Sunshine club in the 1950's. The club was formed after mixed race dances were banned from some Darwin venues in the late 1940's. Hall 118 in the Parap camp ... more >
Vying for Indigenous art award
This week, the winner of one of Australia's most prestigious prizes for Indigenous art will be announced.... more >
A lifelong wood carving hobby has put Ted Barraclough's Australian birds in the spotlight.... more >
Abstract snapshots of the Great Southern
The Great Southern region boasts a range of stunning land forms, but artist Richard Woldendorp is one of the few people to have experienced this landscape's grandeur from above. ... more >
The Victorian and Federal Governments have announced a multi-million dollar funding boost for the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA).... more >
Launceston museum meeting over director
Management at Launceston's Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery will meet staff this morning over the possible departure of the organisation's director. ... more >
Artist Alexia Sinclair's beautiful photographic series of Kings and Queens reference fine art in a digital context.... more >
Fenalla Kernebone travels to the inner Melbourne suburb of Brunswick, where one of the last remaining knitwear mills has reinvented itself.... more >
Art Nation - Guilty Pleasures - Alexi Freeman
Melbourne fashion designer Alexi Freeman admits to his secret shame in Guilty Pleasures.... more >
Furniture designer Khai Liew brings the ancient Ming method of joinery in his own personal journey through the world of design.... more >
Sydney's Historic Houses Trust takes a close look at the history of wallpaper, from Australia's earliest samples to new artist-driven designs.... more >
Divisions within Launceston's Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery could see the departure of the organisation's director. ... more >
The Koorie Heritage Trust has been protecting Aboriginal culture in Victoria for 25 years. It's not a museum but a vibrant keeping place for a living culture. We meet the Trust's chief executive officer Jason Eades who's won a prestigious award for his st... more >
Valentino draws fashionistas to Brisbane
One hundred Valentino gowns have gone on exclusive display at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art.... more >
Homelessness exposed under the lens
A project in Perth pairs up young people who have experienced homelessness with emerging photographers to document their experience.... more >
An exhibition is about to open in Sydney of artwork that displays what life was like in the Rocks district during the end of the 19th century.... more >
Making the 'invisible' people visible
It is hoped a new exhibition in Hobart featuring people with acquired brain injuries can help boost funding and support for Tasmania's disability services.... more >
We take you behind the scenes and meet the dealers, artists and punters at the 2010 Melbourne Art Fair.... more >
Valentino exhibit paints Brisbane red
One hundered of Valentino Garavani's wearable works of art are on show at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art.... more >
PREVIEW Art Nation Design Special
Join Fenella Kernebone and the Art Nation team as they bring you the best of Australian design: Sunday 5:30pm on ABC1, 7pm on ABC2.... more >
Would a piece of art that represented the place where you live look like?... more >
You can't look after the environment if you're going broke, palliative care services save the government money by reducing demand on hospitals, and why funding for the arts should be on par with that for sport: a panel of locals from the southern Queensla... more >
Inspired by the Murray Darling
After three years wandering the Murray Darling basin, Canberra based artists have produced some dramatic work, now on display at the Australian National University.... more >
Sculpture 'whispers in the wind'
A kinetic sculpture that moves and whispers in the wind has been unveiled as Canberra's latest public art installation.... more >
Giant Picasso on display in London
Pablo Picasso's largest-ever painting has been unrolled at the Victoria and Albert Museum in central London.... more >
Model tells Liberian dictator trial of 'dirty' diamond gift
Model Naomi Campbell has testified she was given some "dirty stones" after a 1997 dinner attended by ex-Liberian leader Charles Taylor.... more >
Winning art compared to Riefenstahl's work
A video piece reminiscent of Nazi filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl's work wins the Basil Sellers Art Prize.... more >
Campbell tells Taylor trial of 'dirty' diamond gift
Model Naomi Campbell has testified she was given some "dirty stones" after a 1997 dinner attended by ex-Liberian leader Charles Taylor.... more >
The public has voted and selected their favourite entry in the ABC South East and South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Local Life Competition.... more >
The teacher and the Yankee sailor
It was February, 1944. He was a US sailor destined for battle in the South Pacific. She was a newly graduated teacher, destined (she hoped) for a city classroom. They arrived in the dozy coastal village of Ballina on the same day. Neither of them wanted t... more >
Campbell to testify at war crimes trial
Supermodel Naomi Campbell is set to testify in a war crimes court later today about a so-called "blood diamond" gift from ex-Liberian president Charles Taylor.... more >
Gaga, first ladies among world's best dressed
Lady Gaga, David Beckham and a soupcon of first ladies feature on Vanity Fair's 71st best dressed list.... more >
The funeral of one of Central Australia's most colourful identities was held on Wednesday, with over 100 people spilling out of the small chapel to pay their respects.... more >
Countless rows of colourful costumes
Rockhampton costume maker Sylvia Neal-Bloxsom loves creating outfits so people can be who they want to be.... more >
Rice paddy art puts village on the map
A remote Japanese village with rice fields and not much else has put itself on the tourist map with eye-catching artworks painstakingly created one rice stalk at a time.... more >
Homeless people's art to hang at Darwin Council
Art painted by homeless Indigenous people will soon be hanging in the Darwin City Council.... more >
Chuff chuff whoo whoo new sculpture rumbles into Bunbury
The City of Bunbury's latest public art sculpture brings together former railway workers with people with disability... more >
Designer sorry for sexual harassment gaffe
One of Australia's leading fashion designers has apologised for comments she made about the $37 million sexual harassment law suit against the former CEO of David Jones, Mark McInnes. Alannah Hill had said she had a crush on Mr McInnes; that she had throw... more >
Bligh lauds Qld's cultural tourism revolution
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has declared her state to be at the heart of a "cultural tourism revolution".... more >
Rare Aboriginal art found in college cupboard
A rare collection of Aboriginal art has been unearthed at Dickson College.... more >
Art dealer who scammed stars jailed
A New York art dealer who duped collectors including tennis star John McEnroe and actor Robert De Niro out of more than $US100 million has been sentenced to at least six years in jail.... more >
Shop assistant wins $40k art award
A 34-year-old shop assistant has won a $40,000 national prize for his artwork depicting piles of once-loved but now abandoned 1970s classic cars.... more >
Week Three: Dave from Albury's election blog
Week Three: Albury-based blogger Dave Gaukroger's online observations during the federal election campaign.... more >
Engineers have long played second fiddle to architects in the eyes of the public. We might understand that without structural or civil engineers, many grand architectural concepts might never rise from the drawing board. But there's the lingering impressi... more >
Crime affects not just us, the individuals, but also the environment and industry. So how can design help us to deal with it? That was the question posed by the 2010 Design Challenge, an initiative of RMIT's Design Research Institute that resulted in a ... more >
Myf Warhurst talks to English musician Alison Goldfrapp about style, music and Goldfrapp's euphoric new album.... more >
DJs fashion show goes ahead amid scandal
Just a day after it was slapped with a $37 million sexual misconduct lawsuit, David Jones launched its new collection without a ruffle out of place.... more >
ABC London reporter Rachael Brown takes a fresh look at photography at the Tate Modern exhibition. ... more >
Controversial artist says children can give consent
Controversial artist Bill Henson says arguments that children do not have the capacity to consent to nude modelling are sheer nonsense. Speaking for the first time since he was caught up in a media storm over his photographs of naked teens, Bill Henson ha... more >
Vilified Australian photographer speaks
Controversial Australian artist Bill Henson has spoken publicly for the first time since debate raged over his photographs of naked teenagers.... more >
Wakartu Cory Surprise has won Australia's richest Indigenous arts prize, the West Australian Indigenous Art Award.... more >
Henson calls for a politics safe for art
Controversial photographer Bill Henson opened the Melbourne Art Fair with a call for art-safe politics.... more >
Henson blasts politicians for 'demonising artists'
Controversial photographer Bill Henson has attacked politicians who attempt to restrict artistic freedom.... more >
Bikinis and cheerleading - challenging stereotypes
A digital artist has taken on four different personas in the name of exploring stereotypes.... more >
France inspires Native narrative
ABC Arts blogger Reko Rennie collaborates with Natalie Ryan in his latest exhibition, in which he focuses on native flora and fauna.... more >
612's Studio 408 has been yarn bombed to help launch a project called 612's Close Knit, which calls on your skills in craft and creativity.... more >
Bill Henson to break silence at art fair
Controversial but reclusive Australian artist Bill Henson is set to reopen the debate which raged two years ago over his photographs of naked teenagers.... more >
Gormley's 'humans' conquer Austrian Alps
One hundred of sculptor Antony Gormley's life-size cast-iron human figures have conquered the Austrian Alps.... more >
Stolen Portinari painting recovered
Police in Rio de Janeiro have recovered a $US570,000 ($630,000) painting by a Brazilian master that had been stolen in July.... more >
Opera House transformed by flesh
It's the Opera House like you've never seen it before - and perhaps like you never want to see it again, depending on how you feel about flesh. And lots of it.... more >
Art Nation - Guilty Pleasures - William Eicholtz
William Eicholtz admits his guilty pleasure of watching TV show 'So You Think You Can Dance' and in particular, dancer Rhys Bobridge.... more >
Fenella Kernebone talks to curator and Archibald Prize winner Sam Leach about the inaugural NotFair, an alternative event to big art fairs, which aims to celebrate artists who fly under the radar.... more >
A movie-maker in your back pocket
We're becoming very used to technology turning one device into two or more - mobile phones with cameras - fridges with internet screens - most are clever gimmicks. But one dual-function device is rapidly becoming much more powerful than even the manufactu... more >
Didier Maleuvre: Should Museums be Inclusive?
A museum, according to Didier Maleuvre, Professor of French and Comparative Literature at the University of California Santa Barbara, is by definition exclusive. It selects certain objects to add to its collection and excludes others, and it does this on ... more >
Cleaning, cooking, drying, washing. The humble tea towel has a role in the day to day life of us all.... more >
Zebra herd attacked by vandals
Vandals have beheaded and damaged a popular herd of artificial zebras at Lake George in southern New South Wales.... more >
Katrina Strickland with a round-up of some of the best exhibitions around the country.... more >
Each year tourists flock to Beijing's ancient Forbidden City to get an insight into the lives of China's powerful emperors. ... more >
Turning rubbish into works of art
Jewellery maker Shauna Mayben has won an award with her recycled gems.... more >
Australian artist with a French connection
A new exhibition showcasing the work of Rupert Bunny is on at the Art Gallery of South Australia and includes works that have never been seen in Australia before.... more >
Glamour in print - Sydney fashion photographs
Fashion photography can be about more than just models in frocks and one Sydney cameraman has shown just that.... more >
Art Nation - Web Extra - Africa Salutes You
Former South African president Nelson Mandela commissioned an exhibition of artworks depicting African-inspired characters to represent each of the nations that competed in the 2010 World Cup. ... more >
Carnarvon whaling station history
Carnarvon, like many coastal towns at the turn of the 20th century, had begun commercial whaling.... more >
100,000 flock to Burton exhibition
The inventive mind of Hollywood filmmaker Tim Burton has captured the imaginations of more than 100,000 people since an exhibition of his work opened in Melbourne five weeks ago.... more >
Dust storm photo nominated for award
A Broken Hill grazier has received national recognition for a photo of a dust storm approaching his property.... more >
If you want to get beyond the spin of candidates during this Federal Election campaign, you need look no further than the Art Gallery of Ballarat.... more >
SALA Local Life entries roll in
If you wander into the ABC Renmark studios this week you could be forgiven for mistaking the entry foyer for an art gallery.... more >
Some of the beautiful pictures submitted by ABC Contribute Midwest members.... more >
How does a camera aperture work?
Why is 'depth of field' or 'depth of focus' greater with a smaller aperture on a camera or when the iris in your eye is closed down to a smaller pupil size?... more >
Dalyellup College students film school
A group of students at Dalyellup College have made their own films in just nine days... more >
The Aboriginal story of the world's longest stock route
Few people have heard the story of the Canning Stock Route from the perspective of the indigenous decendants still living in the region.... more >
Questions raised about ExxonMobil partnering the Walkley Foundation
Concerns have been raised about the partnership between ExxonMobil and the Walkley Foundation. The energy giant is the principal sponsor of the Walkley Media Conference, a deal critics have criticised as an alarming conflict of interest.... more >
Negatives found in garage sale worth millions
Negatives picked up at a garage sale for $US45 could be by the great American photographer Ansel Adams.... more >
The town formerly known as Stuart is in a bit of a tizz over an as yet unveiled statue of its original namesake - the great explorer John McDouall Stuart.... more >
Week Two: Dave from Albury's election blog
Week Two: Albury-based blogger Dave Gaukroger's online observations during the federal election campaign.... more >
National Trust snaps up rare painting
A rare watercolour of Western Australia's first settlement at Strawberry Hill will return to the farm it depicts after being bought at auction by the National Trust.... more >
Mining the community's jewellery box
Instead of sourcing their materials from traditional mines, local jewellers and students have instead mined the Brisbane community's jewellery box for a project that combines creativity, activism and ethics.... more >
The old Victoria Hotel in Roebourne will be brought to life on Thursday night in the spotlight of some very special art.... more >
Conversation with Karl Fender, National President, Australian Institute of Architects
Karl Fender, the new National President, Australian Institute of Architects, is Melbourne based and part of the influential firm Fender Katsalidis, who are behind some of Australia's best known buildings, such as the very tall Eureka Tower in Southbank Me... more >
Bruce Mau, designer, asks us to be 'careful' to take risks
Bruce Mau is one of the most sought after and inventive designers working globally. You may know him from his books, Massive Change and S,M,L,XL, which he did with well known international architect Rem Koolhaas. Bruce Mau Design often works in collaborat... more >
Young media students at Dalyellup College explore the theme of school and community in their very first film project... more >
Planned super changes affecting Aboriginal art
Proposed changes to superannuation law are already severely affecting the Indigenous art market, an accountant says. ... more >
Stephen Benwell has been creating intricate and beautiful ceramics for more than 20 years. He invited us into his Melbourne studio.... more >
Knitting in the Mackay town hall
One of the colourful additions to the recent Mackay Festival of Arts was the guerrilla knitting scattered across the town. ... more >
Campbell delays blood diamond testimony
Supermodel Naomi Campbell's testimony about a "blood diamond" in the war crimes trial of ex-Liberian leader Charles Taylor has been postponed until August 5 at her request.... more >
Crocodiles, old boats and the wild life of the territory are the stuff of art at the Tin Shed.... more >
Art Nation - Beauty and Betrayal
Fenella Kernebone visits the Beauty and Betrayal exhibition at the Nicholson Museum in Sydney, featuring ancient and neoclassical jewellery.... more >
Artist Laith McGregor has become a hit on the Melbourne arts scene with his intricate drawings of bearded men.... more >
Milton Moon is one of Australia's most distinguished potters. He's now in his eighty-fourth year, and he's still getting his hands on clay and making beautiful things in his studio in Adelaide -- as he's been doing for the past sixty years. Today he takes... more >
Time now to tackle the big question -- the one that haunts the art world like no other, the question to end all questions. Yes today on Artworks we find out how to determine is this art? And how do we find out the answer? An expert? A panel of eminent jud... more >
Last month, thousands of people were welcomed by the traditional owners onto Jinibara country in the Sunshine Coast hinterland for The Dreaming Festival. Every year, speakers debate some critical issues in Indigenous culture and this year it was no differ... more >
An artist and a poet collaborate to create Australia's contribution to an arts project staged in South Africa during the 2010 World Cup.... more >
Seeing the world through an artist's eyes
An exhibition at Monash University's Switchback Gallery looks at what artists bring back from a trip overseas.... more >
Mackay artists liven up market by the river
Exhibition Art by Night is a cross between an art gallery and activities play centre.... more >
The Dean of the Victorian College of the Arts and Music, Sharman Pretty, has quit amid an overhaul of the institution's future direction.... more >
Open art prize attracts diverse works
The decision to make the 2010 Outback Art Prize an open event has proved an overwhelming success, with almost 200 entires pouring in for the $15,000 prize which will be awarded at the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery tonight.... more >
Miranda Kerr, Orlando Bloom tie the knot
Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr and actor Orlando Bloom have tied the knot just a month after announcing their engagement.... more >
PREVIEW Art Nation - Laith McGregor
Laith McGregor creates intricate biro drawings of men with beards, moustaches and goatees. Watch the full story on Art Nation this Sunday at 5:30pm on ABC1 and 7pm on ABC2.... more >
Youth self portrait prize announced
Young Sydney based artist Bridget Mac has won the the National Youth Self Portrait Prize 2010 for her self portrait titled masculine/feminine.... more >
Young artists put themselves in the picture
Sydney-based photographer Bridget Mac has won this year's National Youth Self Portrait Prize.... more >
Climate change in regional art
Leading regional artists show the impact of climate change on Australia. The landscape works depict resilience.... more >
Local artists depict Ballarat weather
While many might respond to Ballarat weather by putting on a thick coat and a pair of woolly gloves, seven Ballarat artists are expressing their ideas about the conditions through a collaborative exhibition.... more >
ABC News 24 is being launched on Thursday night, and Hunter viewers trying out the new round-the-clock news channel might recognise a familiar face. Scott Bevan is originally from Newcastle and has worked in local newspapers and television, as well as pre... more >
Museum to pay $21m for stolen painting
The Leopold Museum in Austria has agreed to pay an Austrian Jewish woman's estate $US19 million ($21.5 million) for a painting a Nazi stole from her in World War II, US officials say.... more >
