Author Archives: AHC McDonald

Is Australian Silo Art Racist?

Australia’s obsession with bad art done big continues to run, with country towns across the nation falling over themselves to be part of this embarrassing trend. There are even “Silo Trails”, (or should that be “trials”?) where you can plan a trip based around the intersection of the world’s least imaginative artists with the leastContinue reading “Is Australian Silo Art Racist?”

Low sodium, liver cleansing opening, no bar to enjoying art.

Covid restrictions again struck last week to deny art soaks a Festival of Perth level catering event at John Curtin Gallery. (Everything is True, artist Abdul-Rahman Abdullah). It’s been so long that I barely remember what a mini quiche tastes like. Kind of salty yeah? My artist impression of a FOP tier opening can beContinue reading “Low sodium, liver cleansing opening, no bar to enjoying art.”

The Mask of The Artist

Two movies about artists were shown on free screens recently, released a year apart in 1960 and 1961, The Rebel, with Tony Hancock, and The World of Suzie Wong with Nancy Kwan and William Holden. Both are interesting for their attitudes to what being an artist meant or still means. Holden in TWOSW plays RobertContinue reading “The Mask of The Artist”

Art The Winner in York as CWA Slays

Two remarkable events marked the opening of York Botanic 2020 at Gallery 152. Firstly, that there were three pieces of video art in the exhibition, NONE OF WHICH WAS SHIT! Has this ever happened in the history of art showing? Why video art is always 99% garbage is a discussion for another time, but toContinue reading “Art The Winner in York as CWA Slays”

Ben Harvey’s writing is “no oil painting”.

If there was ever a demonstration that Western Australia needs a new voice in the arts (you understand I mean myself right?), it would be the bumbling embarrassment in today’s West Australian on arts funding. Fortunately for you, the story is locked but the summary is that Ben Harvey, Chief Reporter – wearing what isContinue reading “Ben Harvey’s writing is “no oil painting”.”

Lester Prize’s Saloon of Refuse

The Lester Prize (formerly Black Swan portrait prize) has struggled a little with its Salon des Refusés in recent years. Or if you can’t be bothered wrestling the keyboard for French words or accents, Saloon of Refuse. The original version in 1863 was to intended to set rejected “radical” works against the conservatism of theContinue reading “Lester Prize’s Saloon of Refuse”

You know, fuck this (September)

First of our “You know… fuck this!” series. Is it wrong to think that the Crawley Boatshed would look a lot better on fire? It’s the image that defines Perth to the world, at least on instagram. But it is an odd tourist icon. I like that you can’t park there, and there’s no giftContinue reading “You know, fuck this (September)”