Talking with Painters

Watch an  edited video version of this conversation on the YouTube channel here [https://youtu.be/h4NfQDN803I] 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 [https://talkingwithpainters.com/2025/05/09/ep-166-julie-fragar-wins-the-2025-archibald-prize/] * Julie Fragar’s website [https://www.juliefragar.com/] * Julie Fragar on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/julie.fragar/] * Ep 28: Jude Rae [https://talkingwithpainters.com/2017/08/07/ep-28-jude-rae/] * Ep 97: Jude Rae ‘424-428’ [https://talkingwithpainters.com/2020/09/21/ep-97-jude-rae-and-424-428/] * My chat with Sulman winner Gene A’Hern  [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKnoa6zTkqj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==] * TWP on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/talking_with_painters/?hl=en] * TWP on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/talkingwithpainters] * Maria Stoljar on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-stoljar-5016a944/] * Sign up to the TWP monthly newsletter [https://talkingwithpainters.com/newsletter-signup/] https://youtu.be/h4NfQDN803I [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SID110897W.jpg.672x900_q85-224x300.jpg] Julie FragarFlagship Mother Multiverse (Justene) oil on canvas 240 x 180.4 cm [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SID110970W.jpg.669x900_q85-223x300.jpg] Jude Rae Pre-dawn sky over Port Botany container terminal oil on linen 200 x 150.4 cm [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/SID111013W.jpg.800x802_q85-300x300.jpg] Gene A’Hern Sky painting oil and oil stick on board 240 x 240 cm

Podcast listeners – see the art work we talk about in this episode here [https://talkingwithpainters.com/2025/04/07/ep-165-richard-lewer/] 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) [https://talkingwithpainters.com/2025/04/07/ep-165-richard-lewer/] * Richard Lewer on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/richard_lewer/] * Exhibition opening on 10 April at Hugo Michell Gallery  [https://hugomichellgallery.com/collections/exhibitions-2025/products/richard-lewer-2025] * YouTube video- Richard Lewer talks with Maria Stoljar about his commissioned work at the Art Gallery of NSW  [https://youtu.be/Du-Lad05_vk?si=QITbOcJkQl9R0Ugc] * Boxing match Richard Lewer vs Luke Sinclair [https://richardlewer.com/work/artwork/90/] 2001, video, documentation of performance as art * Worse luck I’m still here [https://richardlewer.com/work/artwork/139/], 2014, video and animation * Never Shall be Forgotten [https://richardlewer.com/work/artwork/219/] – A Mother’s Story, 2017, video and animation * Talking with Painters on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/talking_with_painters/?hl=en] * Join me on LinkedIn  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-stoljar-5016a944/] * Sign up to the TWP newsletter [https://talkingwithpainters.com/newsletter-signup/] [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SID74874_1024px.jpg.800x456_q85-300x171.jpg] ‘We have grave concerns for your father’s health’ oil on epoxy-coated steel 80.5 x 141 cm Finalist Sulman prize 2019 [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/dd17bb21-25d7-45d7-a98a-02df7787b7ea-l-300x201.jpg] I’m not the boy who cried wolf, 2025 80 x 120 cm acrylic on laminate tabletop [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SID93779W.jpg.753x900_q85-251x300.jpg] Richard’s medical disasters acrylic on linen 181.5 x 152.7cm Finalist Sulman prize 2023 [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_3416_thumb-300x225.jpg] NGV Confessions (one wall of several) Acrylic on pegboard [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RichardLewer_Theserpentwasmorecraftthananyofthewildanimals._2022_acryliconcanvas_153x153cm_300x300_crop_center.jpeg] 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 [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/14509_richard_lewer_grand_final_2024_ab-300x258.jpg] ‘The 2006 Granny’ 2024 acrylic on linen 200.0 x 200.0 cm [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-04-at-11.15.34 pm-229x300.png] ‘The 2006 Granny’ 2024 acrylic on linen & 41.0 x 31.0 cm https://youtu.be/Du-Lad05_vk?si=lW4hXdAYI9jmNEfo   [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24-2_Lewer_wall-comp_1280x1280.jpg-300x170.webp] Body of work ‘Steve’ acquired by the National Gallery of Australia

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) [https://youtu.be/S6pg1J3xRk4?si=b88Lw98e-8n4mDd_] * Justin Williams – ep 60 podcast interview [https://talkingwithpainters.com/2018/12/03/ep-60-justin-williams/] * Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt (video) [https://youtu.be/qbeENrJo6Nc?si=hHjld_j1yBb9BXWZ] * Loading Dock Interviews Playlist  [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-maWk1IBBaEyXoaudO3F5aXRsPjPK0_o] * Nic Plowman (Instagram reel) [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG93Xn5TDf8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==] * Sam Eyles (Instagram reel) [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHAHlNhz4st/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==] * The Art Room  [https://the-art-room.com.au/] * Sign up to the TWP newsletter [https://talkingwithpainters.com/newsletter-signup/] * Join me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-stoljar-5016a944/]

See the video version of the interview on YouTube here [https://youtu.be/qbeENrJo6Nc?si=ZpIcNoNDKF7276_f] 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 [https://talkingwithpainters.com/2024/12/05/robert-malherbe-and-keith-burt-live-at-the-tweed-regional-gallery/] * Robert Malherbe [https://www.robertmalherbe.com/] * Keith Burt [https://www.instagram.com/keithburt_artist/?hl=en] * Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre [https://gallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au/Home] * Ep 162 – Ingrid Hedgcock  [https://talkingwithpainters.com/2024/11/19/ingrid-hedgcock-at-the-margaret-olley-art-centre/] * Ep 161 – Sophie Perez and Sarah McDonald  [https://talkingwithpainters.com/2024/11/12/sophie-perez-and-sarah-mcdonald-with-edited-version-on-youtube/] * Ep 120 – Robert Malherbe [https://talkingwithpainters.com/2021/12/19/ep-120-robert-malherbe/] * Robert Malherbe on the YouTube channel [https://youtu.be/SAf7U0q0zCc?si=Iqdw-Qm9M4_6O0Jr] * John Honeywill  [http://www.johnhoneywill.com/] * Sarah MacDonald Instagram reel – what to take on a residency [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBOaC1sv__R/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==] * Sign up to my monthly Newsletter [https://talkingwithpainters.com/newsletter-signup/] * TWP Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/talking_with_painters/?hl=en] * TWP Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/talkingwithpainters] * https://youtu.be/qbeENrJo6Nc?si=ZpIcNoNDKF7276_fMy LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-stoljar-5016a944/] https://youtu.be/qbeENrJo6Nc?si=ZpIcNoNDKF7276_f [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-05-at-10.43.41 AM-300x285.png] Selection of work by Robert Malherbe [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-05-at-10.42.08 AM-2-300x286.png] Selection of work by Keith Burt [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-05-at-11.09.04 AM-241x300.png] 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 [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-05-at-12.57.09 PM-248x300.png] Keith Burt (b.1969) Bird 2024 oil on canvas 30 x 25cm Courtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery © The artist [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-05-at-12.59.34 PM-300x300.png] Keith Burt (b.1969) Floral jug 2024 oil on canvas 40 x 40cm Courtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery © The artist [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-05-at-12.59.54 PM-243x300.png] 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 [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-05-at-12.55.30 PM-300x223.png] 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 [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/5582_Keith_Burt_84x66_oil_on_canvas-1-300x236.jpg] Keith Burt Urban Artists Oil on canvas Winner 2020 Brisbane Portrait Prize 84 x 66cm [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2790F939-A301-463C-811F-4588B522DA74-241x300.jpg] Robert Malherbe The Stoic, 2011 oil on linen 76 x 61cm (Portrait of Nicholas Harding) [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-05-at-12.59.24 PM-300x300.png] Keith Burt (b.1969) Jar 2024 oil on canvas 40 x 40cm Courtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery © The artist [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-05-at-10.52.38 AM-300x300.png] Keith Burt (b.1969) Vase 2024 oil on canvas 40 x 40cm Courtesy of the artist and Jan Murphy Gallery © The artist [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-05-at-1.06.06 PM-240x300.png] 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, 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 [https://talkingwithpainters.com/2024/11/19/ingrid-hedgcock-at-the-margaret-olley-art-centre/] * Margaret Olley Art Centre [https://gallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au/visit/margaret-olley-art-centre] * ‘A Dictionary for Painting’, exhibition with Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt at the Tweed Regional Gallery until 2 March 2025 [https://gallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/dictionary-for-painting-margaret-olley] * Scott Bevan on William Dobell [https://talkingwithpainters.com/2020/09/01/ep-96-scott-bevan-on-william-dobell/] * Ben Quilty (ep 80) [https://talkingwithpainters.com/2019/11/16/ep-80-ben-quilty/] [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot-2024-11-17-at-10.48.01 PM-1-300x300.jpeg] ‘The Hat Factory’, Margaret Olley Art Centre [https://talkingwithpainters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot-2024-11-18-at-6.13.27 PM-300x300.jpeg] ‘The Yellow Room’, Margaret Olley Art Centre