Keep on keeping on

Threads of Life: A History of the World Through the Eye of a Needle by Clare Hunter is an intriguing overview about peoples from all over who have used sewing and embroidery as a form of communication.

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris is a collection of ridiculously funny autobiographical essays by this most humorous fellow.

Birdland is a book of exquisite photographs by Australian photographer Leila Jeffreys.

Leila Jeffreys

Podcasts

The Modern Art Notes Podcast is hosted by Tyler Green who has thoughtful and intelligent chats with artists, curators, historians and authors.

Invisibilia on NPR is a showcase of strange science-y stories.

Dolly Parton’s America is a 9 part series that takes the listener on a journey into the ‘Dollyverse’.

Dolly Parton and Popeye

Audiovisual

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is a 2019 web TV series about the world of Thra, that’s a prequel to the film The Dark Crystal made in 1982, and both are wonderful to watch.

I adore comedian Gilbert Gottfried, and the documentary Gilbert: a Gilbert Gottfried story is an interesting insight into his life. He also hosts the delightfully vulgar yet highly informative and entertaining Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast alongside Frank Santopadre.

Lucian Freud: Painted Life is a BBC documentary on the life and work of the artist with contributions from friends, fellow artists and family members, and includes footage of Freud painting in his studio.

Lucian Freud

Web

Peruse the Print Council of Australia blog to read interviews about all things works on paper.

Explore the interactive site for the 2014 MoMA exhibition Kiki Smith: Prints, Books & Things.

Check out the website of amazing artist Lubaina Himid.

Lubaina Himid

Hope you enjoy 2020.

That’s entertainment

Posted: 30 January 2019 | Author: Rona Green | Filed under: Artists, Inspiration | Tags: art, books, documentaries, exhibitions, inspiration, podcasts | 6 Comments

Hope you’re good and that you are enjoying 2019!

Prints and drawings by Rona Green included in Summer Selection at Australian Galleries 2018-19

Here are a few recommendations for your consideration if you’re looking for some art related entertainment to kick off your year:

Exhibitions

Summer Selection at Australian Galleries

28 and 35 Derby Street, Collingwood VIC 3066 Australia

Until 19 February 2019

A group exhibition of works by Australian Galleries artists

Mirka Mora: Pas De Deux – Drawings and Dolls at Heide Museum of Modern Art

7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen VIC 3105 Australia

Until 24 March 2019

An exhibition commemorating the life and work of Australian artist Mirka Mora which is nothing short of amazing.

Anna Boghiguian at Tate St Ives

St Ives, Cornwall TR26 1TG UK

8 February – 6 May 2019

This retrospective exhibition is on the dream list (if only I could transport myself to the UK à la Star Trek!).

Anna Boghiguian at Museum der Moderne Salzburg

Books − creativity / businessy stuff

Creative Habit: Learn it and use it for life by Twyla Tharp

The dancing queen of routine gives you the low down on being productive.

Art Money Success by Maria Brophy

A text book on how to get your arse into gear and make a living as an artist.

On Being An Artist by Michael Craig-Martin

A mix of memoir and instruction this is a candid, enjoyable, useful read.

Books − contemporary art and art history

Old in Art School by Nell Painter

Only recently finished this book and I savoured every word. It is a beautifully written sharing of the ups and downs encountered when choosing to take a new direction in life.

Modernists and Mavericks: Bacon, Freud, Hockney and the London Painters by Martin Gayford

Every book I’ve read written by Martin Gayford I have thoroughly relished, and this one is about some of my favourite artists making it all the more riveting.

Ninth Street Women: Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell and Helen Frankenthaler – Five Painters and the Movement That Changed Modern Art by Mary Gabriel

Abstract Expressionism has always been of interest to me (especially the work of Helen Frankenthaler), and this book is extremely enlightening.

Books − artists work

Kiki Smith: Prints, Books and Things by Wendy Weitman

Published to accompany an exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art, New York in 2003-04 − be sure to check out the accompanying website for the show.

Kerry James Marshall by Charles Gaines, Laurence Rassel and Greg Tate

A marvellous book. You can also learn more about the work of Kerry James Marshall on The Modern Art Notes Podcast (he is fantastic and delightful to listen to) – here and here.

A Printmaker’s Cookbook – Images in Relief by Dianne Fogwell

As Sasha Grishin describes it, this is a “how Fogwell did it book”. Absolutely fabulous.

Dianne Fogwell at Geelong Gallery

Documentaries

Blurred Lines: Inside the Art World directed by Barry Avrich

A tantalising / tormenting exposé depending on your vantage point!

Hairy Who and The Chicago Imagists directed by Leslie Buchbinder

Love!!! As well here is a link to a clip of artist Jim Nutt talking and painting.

Art21 series by PBS

You can purchase this series on good ol’ DVD via Amazon, etc., plus the Art21 website has tons of resources to pleasurably trawl through.

You can also watch a short doco about my work if you’ve got 22 minutes to spare.

Gladys Nilsson and Jim Nutt

Podcasts

Talking with Painters hosted by Maria Stoljar

Maria Stoljar asks Australian painters all you ever wanted to know in a relaxed conversational way, and the show notes for this podcast are excellent.

Artists Helping Artists hosted by Leslie Saeta

Almost a decade of AHA episodes to scour for ideas about art marketing as well as plenty of interviews with artists (with a particular focus on plein air painters). Leslie Saeta is always accompanied by a co-host making this an informal yet informative style podcast.

Bench Talk hosted by Tom Gerrard

As Tom Gerrard is an artist himself he is great at squeezing out as much info possible from his diverse range of creative guests.