art — Body of Work

#177 The Artist Provocateur

Tasmanians head to music concerts and art galleries and sporting events trying to escape conflict and confrontation. However, and inevitably, we are followed and stalked by discussion and debate. From festivals to AFL games to community events, we ask each other opinions on the latest announcement, conflict, or decision because these matters occupy the mainstream and social media.

For years, Tasmanian colonial art was defined by landscape paintings, literature describing landscapes, and song lyrics about landscapes. But then came Mona and we opened our eyes to provocative and outrageous art that, although we may not like, makes us think.

AnecdoteBrian Wightman14 February 2022art, artists, folk music, aboriginal, Petroglyphs, protest, cause, movement

When the Wind Blows

Geoffrey Dyer is dead.

He painted Richard Flanagan and won the Archibald Prize in 2003.

I am reading Flanagan's new novel.

Artists and writers inspire me: their craft, their dedication, their toil, and their need.

They are like old friends.

I had a glass of something with Dyer and a glass of something else with Flanagan in a bar on Salamanca.

ReflectionBrian Wightman12 October 2020Dyer, Flanagan, tragedy, wind, camping, rain, view, trees, mood, perspective, art, artists, crash, books, music, volunteers

Stumbling upon a Masterpiece

There is a gently recurring daydream filed at the back of my brain; somewhere near my cerebral cortex.

One day I stumble upon a masterpiece; a work of revered and unquestionable skill.