
Advertise on podcast: Talking with Painters
Rating
4.6from
This podcast has
150 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Maria StoljarExplicit
No
Date created
2016/08/17
Latest episode
2025/12/28
Average duration
33 min.
Release period
45 days
Description
Maria Stoljar talks with Australian painters about how they became an artist, their painting techniques, influences and current work.
Unlock Talking with Painters podcast Email contact info,
Listeners & Audience details
Email contact information
Direct podcast contact details

Listeners
Audience numbers & engagement insights

Audience details
Podcast Insights

Social media
Check Talking with Painters social media presence
Podcast episodes
Check latest episodes from Talking with Painters podcast
Ep 171: Mary Tonkin
2025/12/28
Watch highlights from this conversation on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel
I loved this conversation with Mary Tonkin at the S.H. Ervin Gallery in Sydney, before the start of her survey exhibition Among the Trees (opening 3 January 2026). The show brings together paintings, drawings and ceramics dating from 2008, works that reflect Mary’s deep relationship with her family farm in Victoria’s Dandenong ranges and with painting from life. Her painting ‘Ramble Kalorama’, measuring almost 19 metres long, is a magnificent meditation on what it is to be in the Australian landscape and was a huge hit at the 2022 Sydney Contemporary Art Fair.
Mary Tonkin has won many awards and her works are held in major public institutions and private collections. She is represented by Australian Galleries.
NB: When Mary speaks about her teacher Geoff in this conversation she is referring to Geoff Dupree.
Links
Mary Tonkin on Instagram
Mary Tonkin at Australian Galleries
‘Among the Trees’, S.H.Ervin Gallery, 3 January to 1 March 2026
Highlights YouTube video
My instagram reel of ‘Ramble, Kalorama’ at Sydney Contemporary (2022)
https://youtu.be/84JSU210-38?si=78SsLYUPGalbja-g
‘Ramble, Kalorama’ (2017–2019) at Sydney Contemporary, 2022
18.9m x 1.8m (21 panels)
Oil on linen
‘Coprosma Madonna, Kalorama’ 2021-22
oil on linen 320 x 610cm
Photographer Matthew Stanton
‘Madre, Kalorama’ 2008
oil on linen 244cm x 508 cm
Photographer John Brash
‘A scream, Kalorama’ 2023
oil on linen 214 x 366cm
Photograph Matthew Stanton
‘Regent, Kalorama’ 2012 charcoal on paper 241 x 271cm Photographer John Brash
‘Saint Anthony Beaten By Devils’ 24.5cm x 39.5cm
Sassetta, c1423, 1424
Pinacoteca Nazionale
Ep 170: Aida Tomescu – ‘Messiaen’
2025/11/21
A highlights video from this episode will also be coming soon to the Talking with Painters YouTube channel
In this episode, I visit the studio of acclaimed abstract painter Aida Tomescu just days before the opening of her exhibition Messiaen at Fox Jensen Gallery in Sydney. The exhibition continues until 20 December 2025.
Aida Tomescu on Instagram
Aida Tomescu website
Aida Tomescu at Fox Jensen Gallery
Talking with Painters website
Talking with Painters on Instagram
Subscribe here for my monthly newsletter
Previous TWP YouTube videos of Aida Tomescu:
Aida Tomescu – extended interview
Aida Tomescu talks with Maria Stoljar (uncut)
Aida Tomescu in her studio (2017)
Aida Tomescu talks with Maria Stoljar about ‘Tuckson: the abstract sublime’
Aida Tomescu’s 2019 show ‘The Open Wounds of White Clouds’
Previous podcast conversations with Aida Tomescu:
Episode 33 – Aida Tomescu
Episode 63 – Aida Tomescu on Tony Tuckson
Episode 116 – Aida Tomescu (uncut)
Messiaen II 2024
200x460cm
oil on Belgian linen
Photo: Jenni Carter
Messiaen III 2025
200 x 306cm
Oil on Belgian linen
Photo: Jenni Carter
Messiaen 2013
oil and pigments on canvas
184 x 153 cm
This is the work Tomescu refers to at the beginning of the episode
Ep 169: 12 finalists, 12 landscapes
2025/10/04
Watch an edited video version of this episode on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel here
Podcast listeners see the works we talk about here or go to talkingwithpainters.com (ep 169)
When I travelled to Hobart for the announcement of the Hadley’s Art Prize, I not only interviewed the winner, Sophie Cape (you can hear her in the previous episode), but also had the privilege of speaking with twelve of the other outstanding finalists (see images of works below)
At $100,000 the Hadley’s is Australia’s richest landscape art prize, and the calibre of work this year was outstanding. With 29 finalists in total, I would have loved to talk with every single one, but time was short in the lead-up to the celebrations! Even so, these conversations give you a cross-section of artists and approaches to depicting the Australian landscape — from bold abstraction to meticulous realism.
In this episode, you’ll hear from the following artists: Michaye Boulter, Belinda Street, Neil Haddon, Valerie Sparks (Honourable Mention), Peter Griffen, Harrison Bowe (People’s Choice winner), Melanie McCollin Walker, Denise Lamby (Residency Prize winner), Julz Beresford, Raymond Arnold, Richard Klecociuk and Melissa Kenihan.
Links
YouTube video highlights of this episode
YouTube video of interview with winner Sophie Cape
Podcast interview with winner Sophie Cape
Talking with Painters Newsletter
Talking with Painters on Instagram
Talking with Painters on Facebook
Maria Stoljar on LinkedIn
Hadley’s Art Prize website
Michaye Boulter
Atmospheres,
oil on linen 102 x 153
Neil Haddon
‘A view of water’
Acrylic oil and lacquer on aluminium
140 x 130
Valerie Sparks (Honourable Mention)
‘The Long View’
Pigment inkjet print on paper
Peter Griffen
‘Small Rocks and Wild Grass’
Mixed media on canvas 91 x 122cm
Belinda Street
‘Newcastle Harbour’
Oil on canvas 90 x 90cm
Harrison Bowe (Winner People’s Choice Award)
‘Of Peaks and Tides’
Oil and enamel and beeswax on linen
Melanie McCollin Walker
‘Quiet Refuge’
Acrylic on linen 156 x 156cm
Denise Lamby (Winner Residency Prize)
Memory of the Land
Recycle tea bags canvas 90 x 90cm
Julz Beresford
‘A Stillness at the Water’s Edge’
Oil on canvas 93 x 93
Raymond Arnold
‘The ‘blue,yellow’ Red Gum’
Digital print
Richard Klecociuk
‘Ancient light’
Coloured pencil and ink
108 x 83cm
Melissa Kenihan
‘Living Memory’
Oil on linen 55 x 155 cm
Ep 168 Sophie Cape wins the Hadley’s Art Prize
2025/09/01
Watch an edited video version of this conversation on the YouTube channel here
Sophie Cape has just taken out the $100,000 Hadley’s Art Prize for landscape with her powerful painting Thunder Shifts the Shivering Sands.
It’s a raw and visceral work on canvas made using rust, charcoal, soil, pigment and binder.
In this episode I talk with Sophie about what winning the prize means for her at this point in her career. She also tells me about her incredible path to painting — from training as an elite athlete with Olympic ambitions to finding her way into the art world after injury changed the course of her life.
Sophie has received multiple awards and residencies over her career. She has exhibited in over a dozen solo shows and her work is held in many public and private collections. She is represented by Olsen Gallery.
A highlights video from this conversation will be up on my YouTube channel soon. I also spoke with 12 of the other finalists, and those conversations will be heading to YouTube shortly as well.
During my time in Hobart, I was a guest of Hadley’s at the beautifully restored Hadley’s Orient Hotel (built in 1834) and is the venue for the exhibition. The show runs until 21 September, accompanied by a series of talks – you can find more information on their website here .
Links
Podcast listeners – see images of the works we talk about here
Sophie Cape on Instagram
Sophie Cape at Olsen Gallery
Australian Story: Adrenaline Brush: Sophie Cape
Sign up for the Talking with Painters newsletter
Talking with Painters on Instagram
Talking with Painters on youTube
Talking with Painters on Facebook
Thunder Shifts the Shivering Sands
Rust, charcoal, soil, pigment and binder on canvas
2024
148cm x 160cm
Romper Stomper, 2014, oil, acrylic, bitumen, charcoal, and soil on canvas, 209 x 203cm
Winner, Portia Geach Memorial Award, 2014
Ep 167 Remembering William Robinson with Davida Allen (2020)
2025/08/27
Australia has lost one of its great painters. William Robinson has passed away at the age of 89.
I was lucky enough to meet Bill in 2020 when I interviewed his close friend, artist Davida Allen. At Davida’s suggestion, Bill joined the conversation —and what unfolded was something special.
In this re-released episode you’ll hear Bill’s warmth, humour and generosity as the two artists reflect together in his Brisbane studio.
Ep 166: Julie Fragar wins the 2025 Archibald Prize
2025/05/09
Watch an edited video version of this conversation on the YouTube channel here
It’s one of the most thrilling days on the Australian art calendar—and this year, Julie Fragar has taken out the Archibald Prize with a captivating portrait of fellow artist and colleague Justene Williams.
Her large scale portrait of Justene, appearing to float in space and surrounded by model figures and structures drawn from Justene’s creative universe, commands the viewer’s attention. Julie talks with me about the portrait and its elements, her approach to colour and her tips for a productive sitting. This episode also includes Julie’s moving acceptance speech.
Also announced today:
Jude Rae, winner of the Wynne Prize (and two-time podcast guest)
Gene A’Hern, winner of the Sulman Prize (video interview coming soon!)
Scroll down for images of the winning works
Podcast listeners click here to see images of the works
Julie Fragar’s website
Julie Fragar on Instagram
Ep 28: Jude Rae
Ep 97: Jude Rae ‘424-428’
My chat with Sulman winner Gene A’Hern
TWP on Instagram
TWP on Facebook
Maria Stoljar on LinkedIn
Sign up to the TWP monthly newsletter
https://youtu.be/h4NfQDN803I
Julie FragarFlagship Mother Multiverse (Justene)
oil on canvas
240 x 180.4 cm
Jude Rae
Pre-dawn sky over Port Botany container terminal
oil on linen
200 x 150.4 cm
Gene A’Hern
Sky painting
oil and oil stick on board
240 x 240 cm
Ep 165: Richard Lewer
2025/04/07
Watch this interview on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel here
Step into the gripping world of Richard Lewer — where drawing, painting, and video meet the raw edges of human experience.
Richard doesn’t look away from life’s toughest stories. From the deeply personal — like the final days of his father’s life — to the harrowing and socially charged, including the tragic death of an Indigenous child in custody and the haunting Snowtown murders, he takes it all on. But never with shock tactics. His work is quietly powerful — full of feeling, sensitivity, and a surprising touch of humour. And the surfaces he paints on? Anything but traditional — think steel, aluminium, formica table tops, even billiard tables.
Richard is a multi-award-winning artist whose work has appeared in major public and private collections. He’s been a finalist multiple times in the Archibald and Sulman Prizes, and his recent acquisition by the National Gallery of Australia will soon be part of an upcoming exhibition and tour.
This was the perfect time to sit down for a deep conversation — just ahead of his new show ‘The stories that persist are not always true’ opening on 10 April at Hugo Michell Gallery.
Richard is also represented by Jan Murphy Gallery in Brisbane and Suite Gallery in New Zealand.
Links
Art work mentioned in this episode (for podcast listeners)
Richard Lewer on Instagram
Exhibition opening on 10 April at Hugo Michell Gallery
YouTube video- Richard Lewer talks with Maria Stoljar about his commissioned work at the Art Gallery of NSW
Boxing match Richard Lewer vs Luke Sinclair 2001, video, documentation of performance as art
Worse luck I’m still here, 2014, video and animation
Never Shall be Forgotten – A Mother’s Story, 2017, video and animation
Talking with Painters on Instagram
Join me on LinkedIn
Sign up to the TWP newsletter
https://youtu.be/4bei8rp-Tto?si=VJHHvFMwMcg6_2oU
‘We have grave concerns for your father’s health’
oil on epoxy-coated steel
80.5 x 141 cm
Finalist Sulman prize 2019
I’m not the boy who cried wolf, 2025
80 x 120 cm
acrylic on laminate tabletop
Richard’s medical disasters
acrylic on linen
181.5 x 152.7cm
Finalist Sulman prize 2023
NGV Confessions (one wall of several)
Acrylic on pegboard
The serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals that God had made. He said to the woman ‘Did God really say that you must not eat from any tree in the garden?’. She replied ‘We may eat fruit from all the trees in the garden except for the…, 2022, acrylic on canvas, 153 x 153 cm
‘The 2006 Granny’ 2024
acrylic on linen
200.0 x 200.0 cm
‘The 2006 Granny’ 2024
acrylic on linen
& 41.0 x 31.0 cm
https://youtu.be/Du-Lad05_vk?si=lW4hXdAYI9jmNEfo
Body of work ‘Steve’ acquired by the National Gallery of Australia
Ep 164: New Videos, Loading Dock Invite & What’s Next
2025/03/18
Catch up on the latest YouTube videos and Instagram reels, and don’t miss the chance to be part of my next Loading Dock interview at the Art Gallery of NSW!
Justin Williams (video)
Justin Williams – ep 60 podcast interview
Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt (video)
Loading Dock Interviews Playlist
Nic Plowman (Instagram reel)
Sam Eyles (Instagram reel)
The Art Room
Sign up to the TWP newsletter
Join me on LinkedIn
Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt (live at the Tweed Regional Gallery)
2024/12/05
See the video version of the interview on YouTube here
My conversation with two remarkable Australian artists, Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt was in front of a fabulous audience at the Tweed Regional Gallery.
Robert and Keith completed residencies at the gallery’s Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence Studio, drawing inspiration from objects in Margaret Olley’s recreated home studio at the gallery. The result of their residencies is A Dictionary for Painting, a stunning exhibition on display until March 2, 2025. In this episode, Robert and Keith share their creative highs and lows, offering an intimate glimpse into the making of their works.
Special thanks to Tweed Regional Gallery for recording this event and sound engineer Dan Harcombe for his expertise. A video version of this interview will be online soon – and don’t miss my earlier interview with Robert from 2021, linked below.
Links
Podcast listeners click here to see images of the works
Robert Malherbe
Keith Burt
Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre
Ep 162 – Ingrid Hedgcock
Ep 161 – Sophie Perez and Sarah McDonald
Ep 120 – Robert Malherbe
Robert Malherbe on the YouTube channel
John Honeywill
Sarah MacDonald Instagram reel – what to take on a residency
Sign up to my monthly Newsletter
TWP Instagram
TWP Facebook
https://youtu.be/qbeENrJo6Nc?si=ZpIcNoNDKF7276_fMy LinkedIn
https://youtu.be/qbeENrJo6Nc?si=ZpIcNoNDKF7276_f
Selection of work by Robert Malherbe
Selection of work by Keith Burt
Robert Malherbe (b.1965)
Olley’s table 09 2024
oil on linen
81 x 66 cm
Courtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery
© The artist
Keith Burt (b.1969)
Bird 2024
oil on canvas
30 x 25cm
Courtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery
© The artist
Keith Burt (b.1969)
Floral jug 2024
oil on canvas
40 x 40cm
Courtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery
© The artist
Robert Malherbe (b.1965)
Olley’s table 06 2024
oil on linen
81 x 66 cm
Courtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery
© The artist
Margaret Olley (1923–2011)
Still life with cornflowers 1995
oil on board
66.9 x 90.1 cm
On loan from University Art Collection, Chau Chak Wing Museum, The University of Sydney
Donated through The Hon R P Meagher bequest 2011
© Margaret Olley Art Trust
Keith Burt
Urban Artists
Oil on canvas
Winner 2020 Brisbane Portrait Prize
84 x 66cm
Robert Malherbe
The Stoic, 2011
oil on linen
76 x 61cm
(Portrait of Nicholas Harding)
Keith Burt (b.1969)
Jar 2024
oil on canvas
40 x 40cm
Courtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery
© The artist
Keith Burt (b.1969)
Vase 2024
oil on canvas
40 x 40cm
Courtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery
© The artist
Robert Malherbe (b.1965)
Olley’s table 12 2024
oil on polyester
51 x 41 cm
Courtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery
© The artist
Ingrid Hedgcock at the Margaret Olley Art Centre
2024/11/19
Ingrid Hedgcock, director of the Tweed Regional Gallery, shows me around the amazing Margaret Olley Art Centre which is the relocation of Margaret Olley’s home studio from Paddington in Sydney.
Famous for being like an Aladdin’s cave of eclectic objects, the recreated home studio contains the sources of many inspirational items which appear in Margaret Olley’s paintings. Over an astonishing 21,000 items were relocated from Sydney to the gallery.
Ingrid, having been involved in the project almost from its inception, is the ideal person to share insights into the creation of this extraordinary tribute to Olley.
This is the second of three episodes recorded at Tweed Regional Gallery. The previous episode is my conversation with Sophie Perez and Sarah McDonald undertaking a residency at the gallery and the following episode will be my conversation with Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt at the gallery about the exhibition ‘A Dictionary for Painting’.
Photo of Ingrid Hedgcock supplied by Tweed Regional Gallery
Podcast listeners click here to see images of the Margaret Olley Art Centre
Margaret Olley Art Centre
‘A Dictionary for Painting’, exhibition with Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt at the Tweed Regional Gallery until 2 March 2025
Scott Bevan on William Dobell
Ben Quilty (ep 80)
‘The Hat Factory’, Margaret Olley Art Centre
‘The Yellow Room’, Margaret Olley Art Centre
Sophie Perez and Sarah McDonald (with edited version on YouTube)
2024/11/12
See an edited version of this episode (5 mins) on the talking with Painters YouTube channel
An artist’s residency provides more than just uninterrupted time to work; it’s also a valuable space for risk-taking, experimentation, and self-reflection.
That’s what I learned when I caught up with Sophie Perez and Sarah McDonald during my recent visit to the Tweed Regional Gallery. They were there for a residency in the Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence studio. Both are accomplished landscape painters working in oils, have exhibited in solo and group shows across the country and both made the trek across Australia to immerse themselves in this experience – Sophie from Victoria and Sarah from South Australia. It was wonderful to hear their thoughts on the value of the residency and what has come from it.
This is the first of three podcast episodes which I recorded on my visit to the Tweed Regional Gallery a couple of weeks ago. I was invited to facilitate a conversation in front of an audience with Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt, two leading painters who recently completed funded residencies at the gallery. Their new works, now hanging in the exhibition A Dictionary for Painting, are inspired by objects from Australian art royalty Margaret Olley’s glorious home studio, which has been relocated within the gallery. The gallery recorded the conversation and it will be coming soon to the podcast. I was also lucky enough to have an impromptu chat with gallery director Ingrid Hedgcock, an expert on Margaret Olley, who will be joining me on the next episode.
Links
Podcast listeners click here for website page and images of works
Sign up to the Talking with Painters newsletter
Sophie Perez website
Sarah McDonald website
Sophie Perez Instagram
Sarah McDonald Instagram
https://youtu.be/jxJybTWc81s?si=8neVQgRZyTP1x7y6
Wall of Sophie Perez’ work
Wall of Sarah McDonald’s work
Work mentioned by Sarah at about 9min 40s
Work mentioned by Sophie at about 18min 30s
Work mentioned by Sophie at about 21 min
Karen Black
2024/08/21
Podcast listeners click here to view the works
Through layers of paint in varying translucency, Karen Black explores not only the physical nature of the female form but through her use of abstraction and considered use of colour she brings out another dimension – an emotional layer.
There is a strong sense of a spontaneous response in her paintings so you may be surprised to hear that reading and research play as much a role in her process as creating those drips and brushstrokes.
Karen talks with me in this episode about her fascination with recent research on frequencies and vibrations which occur in all matter. That interest informs her most recent body of work which will be on view in her upcoming solo show ‘alternative frequency’ at Ames Yavuz in Sydney.
Karen has been acclaimed with awards and residencies and her work is in the collections of many public institutions. She has been repeatedly shortlisted in the Archibald and Sulman prizes, among many others, and has work hanging in both those prize exhibitions in the Art Gallery of NSW this year. She has also been recognised for her ceramic work, two of which have been acquired by the National Gallery of Victoria.
In this podcast episode Karen talks with me about her childhood memories of art, how she came to painting, the story behind her current show and some interesting aspects of her process.
Links
Sign up to the TWP newsletter
Karen Black on Instagram
Karen Black at Ames Yavuz
Karen Black at Sutton Gallery
Solo show ‘alternative frequency’ at Ames Yavuz Gallery, 31 August to 5 October 2024
‘Both of us’
oil on canvas
61 x 92 cm
Finalist Sir John Sulman Prize 2024
Source: AGNSW website
‘Head wind’ 2024,
oil on polyester, 183.3 x 153 cm
Image courtesy of the artist
‘Licking the rain’ 2017
oil on canvas
152.5 x 122 cm
Finalist Sir John Sulman Prize 2017
Source: AGNSW website
‘I Will Shade You from the World’
2022
Oil on canvas
213.6 x 198.5cm
Image courtesy of the artist
Vivian Vidulich
oil on polyester
183 x 152.5 cm
Finalist – Archibald Prize 2024
Source: AGNSW website
‘Crown legs arms’ 2016
earthenware, 23ct gold leaf
69.0 × 29.7 × 29.2 cm
Collection, National Gallery of Victoria
Laura Jones wins the 2024 Archibald Prize
2024/06/09
Watch the video version of my interview with Laura Jones here on the Talking with Painters YouTube channel
Congratulations to previous podcast guest Laura Jones on winning the Archibald Prize – Australia’s most famous portrait prize – with a sensitive and meaningful portrait of writer and environmentalist Tim Winton.
On Friday I interviewed Laura shortly after the announcement and I’m bringing you that 5 minute conversation in this episode but I’ve also gone through the archives to my podcast conversation with Laura in 2018 to bring you something extra.
When I interviewed Laura a few years ago it was after she had finished a residency on the Great Barrier Reef where she was studying the terrible bleaching events which occurred there (and continue to occur) and her concern surrounding those events is not unconnected with her winning portrait in this year’s Archibald Prize.
Because it was after seeing Tim Winton’s documentary on the ABC, Ningaloo Nyinggulu, about the fight to save the Ningaloo reef that Laura requested an Archibald portrait sitting. They have in common a sense of urgency that we must act now on climate change and are doing everything they can to bring attention to the devastating and inevitable consequences of inaction.
One of the most interesting parts of my conversation with Laura was when she explained how coral bleaching occurs. It’s complex and scientific but she explained it in a way that anyone could understand so I thought I would bring you that part of the interview today .
The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes exhibition continues until Sunday 8 September 2024. The Archibald finalist works then go on tour across 5 venues across NSW and for the first time, to the Northern Territory. The Wynne Prize finalist works will tour to four venues in regional NSW.
2018 podcast interview with Laura Jones (ep 53)
Laura Jones’ Archibald Prize acceptance speech (Instagram)
YouTube version of my Archibald interview with Laura
Incognito Art Show
Studio A
Tim Winton
Oil on linen, 198 x 152.5cm
Image: Art Gallery of NSW, Jenni Carter Winner 2024 Archibald Prize
The Loading Dock Interviews (also on YouTube)
2024/05/19
See the video version of this episode on the TWP YouTube channel here.
This is my 5th collection of Loading Dock Interviews of entrants to the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes.
Six brave painters fronted my camera and microphone as they delivered their work to the packing room at the Art Gallery of NSW via the loading dock.
Thankyou to these artists (tap on their name for their Instagram page):
Andrew Bischoff
Mila Kalik
Joshua Van Gestel
Simon Weir
Linda Lockyer
Mary Shackman
Tickets for the ‘Artists in Conversation’ talk with me and Marikit Santiago at the Art Gallery of NSW
Sign up for the Talking with Painters Newsletter here.
https://youtu.be/T-26mfmJMqw?si=L_YMco2XH8Hwwsup
Caroline Zilinsky
2024/04/21
See highlights of this interview on the YouTube Channel
Caroline Zilinsky’s paintings freeze pivotal moments in our culture’s history, encouraging us to reflect upon our times, whether it’s the absurdity, the horror or the humour.
At the risk of being labelled a conspiracy theorist, she’s attracted to the dilemmas brought on by the internet era and shines a light on the things that trouble most of us: our loss of privacy, shortened attention, a heightened focus on appearance, a growing indifference to human suffering and the increasing power assumed by tech giants.
Her paintings often depict a political or social narrative and although she accepts some are too confronting to hang above the sofa, there’s something about the levity in her use of line, colour and form which invites us to venture into the darker corners of our culture, causing us to linger and question.
Caroline is also well known for her portraiture and landscape painting. She won the Portia Geach Memorial Award portraiture prize in 2020 (the same year she won the Evelyn Chapman award) and has been a finalist in many others including the Archibald and Darling portrait prizes.
This interview took place at the mid-career survey show of Caroline’s work ‘Exquisite Cadaver’ at the University of Newcastle Gallery. Curated by Gillean Shaw, it was a collection of 40 stunning works spanning over 2 decades.
The interview was also filmed and a 6 minute video of highlights can be seen here on the YouTube channel.
Feature photo: Phillip Antonio Lemos
Caroline Zilinsky on Instagram
Caroline Zilinsky at Nanda\Hobbs
Sign up to the TWP newsletter
TWP YouTube channel
Loading Dock interview
My AGNSW Artists in Conversation interview with Caroline
Ceal Floyer
https://youtu.be/qW9UOk7RA7I?si=Sc30OmX9unO_Mitu
‘Kubla Khan’
2022
oil on linen
107 x 106.7 cm
‘Exquisite Corpse’
2024
Oil on linen
‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ 2023
oil on linen
138 x 138cm
‘Faceless The Congressional Hearing of Mark Zuckerberg’ 2020
oil on linen
122 x 122cm
‘Man of Few Words’
2020
Ink on AGNSW archive manila folder
30 x 21cm (paper size), 60 x 47cm (framed size)
‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ 2023
Oil on linen
112 x 122cm
‘Plastic Fantastic’, 2023
oil on linen
56 x 62cm
‘Refract Back’, 2023
Oil on linen
112 x122 cm
‘Too Long; Didn’t Read (Universal Declaration of Human Rights)’
2023
Oil, Oil Stick and Digital Configuration on Canvas
97 x 87cm
‘Me and Ellie’, 2004-2005
oil on linen
71 x 454.5cm
‘My Brother Adrian’
oil on linen
72.5 x 54cm
Podcast reviews
Read Talking with Painters podcast reviews
Boojazz 2 2023/02/07
Such an inspiration
I’ve been listening to this podcast for the past couple years and it is such an inspiration. I love the questions Maria asks the artists and their res...
Barbara Anne Thomas 2018/05/18
Inspiring and Informative Podcast
This podcast has had a profound impact on my life as a US artist. I did not know much about AU art and artists before listening, and I’ve learned new ...
Mia Risberg 2018/03/12
Wonderful podcast
I am an artist based in the U.S. who really enjoys listening to this podcast! Through it I have come to discover many talented Australian artists, tha...
Decorno 2018/02/17
Excellent. You won’t be disappointed.
This podcast is SO GOOD that even if you don’t paint there are extraordinary things to learn about creativity, human potential, curiosity, and forging...
dickbar 2016/10/18
Maria Stoljar is a Star
Maria's Stoljar's wonderful podcast Talking with Painters is an insightful and fascinating series that introduces us to the invisible people who are p...
Podcast sponsorship advertising
Start advertising on Talking with Painters relevant audience podcasts
You may also like to advertise on these Podcasts

4.71214764
Irish & Celtic Music Podcast
Marc Gunn

4.4269500
Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots
Locked On Podcast Network, Mike D’Abate

4.9220197
ADHD Chatter
Alex Partridge

515335
Alt Shift X Podcast
Alt Shift X

4.7195110
Anything Ghost Show
Lex Wahl

4.620156
Give Me Away
Gideon Media

4.921034
Embrace Everything - The World of Gustav Mahler
Aaron Cohen

4.82733682
Dopey: On the Dark Comedy of Drug Addiction
Dave & Chris

4.9997422
Feminist Wellness
Béa Victoria Albina

4.9168825
Benched with Bubba
Fantasy Baseball


