I love the National Gallery of Victoria, otherwise known as the 'NGV'. Several times a year they have blockbuster touring exhibitions, and while I enjoy those I am equally fond of exploring the permanent collection. An entire history of world art (and so: an entire history of everything) entirely for free!
This page is my tribute.
Each article below finds its origin in one work in the permanent collection. A note on my credentials: I have none. I did two units of art history as electives at university, otherwise I like to read books and articles about art, and visit as many exhibitions as I can. Consider these articles a lay person's perspective, from the cheap seats. I hope you enjoy.
'Anguish' by August Friedrich Schenck
‘Anguish’ – aka: The Sad Sheep Painting - is one of the NGV’s most popular, a well-known work by a largely forgotten artist. Click here for more.
'The Red Hat' by William Frater
Lina Bryans was a successful female artist and an independent single mother, at a time when both were less common. She also threw a hell of a party. Click here for more.
'Blue Eyes' by Francoise Gilot
Francoise Gilot was a friend of Matisse, a muse of Picasso, and an groundbreaking artist in her own right. Click here for more.
'Weeping Woman' by Pablo Picasso
In 1986, Pablo Picasso's 'Weeping Woman' was stolen from the NGV. The thieves have never been identified. Click here for more.
'Il Miralco' by Yvonne Audette
Yvonne Audette was a pioneering local artist, one of the first to bring the radical ideas of Abstract Expressionism to Australia. Click here for more.
'I AM THE DINGO SPIRIT' by Trevor Turbo Brown
From the riverbank in Mildura, to the world’s most prestigious art galleries: this is the story of Trevor ‘Turbo’ Brown. Click here for more.