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Visual art

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Cartier at NGV

Beautiful but shallow: The NGV’s new blockbuster is big on celebrity but light on insight

Mostly, the pieces are designed to showcase the wealth of the wearer, and a jewel is nothing if not draped across a powerful figure.

  • Will Cox

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Advertising legend Peter Clemenger.

At 98, Peter Clemenger is not too old for one life-affirming revelation

The advertising executive was an industry giant who once child-minded the young Lachlan and James Murdoch.

  • Stephen Brook
Arthur Boyd’s St Francis of Assisi tapestries will go on display at the NGA.

These artworks were created for a lost exhibition. Fifty-one years on, they’re finally going on show

In the 1970s Arthur Boyd, the renowned Australian painter, commissioned a series of 20 tapestries that upon completion were never displayed together. This month, that changes.

  • Elizabeth Flux
Artist Shaun Gladwell at the Shoalhaven River at Bundanon.

‘It couldn’t be more relevant’: Shaun Gladwell on Arthur Boyd’s most enigmatic work

The acclaimed visual artist is on fire (literally) in his new commission at Bundanon.

  • Robert Moran
John Laws’ estate is auctioning off many of his artworks and antiques.

‘Unabashedly luxurious’: John Laws’ art and antiquities collection up for auction

The estate of the late broadcaster and his wife, Caroline, has also announced major cultural gifts to the Art Gallery of NSW and Powerhouse Museum.

  • Linda Morris
Installation of the Qantas planes at the Powerhouse Museum in Parramatta.

Why are three heritage planes dangling from a ceiling in Parramatta?

One of them, a replica of the first aircraft to carry Qantas’ name, comes with a $5 million deal that brings the Powerhouse Museum closer to its funding target.

  • Linda Morris
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Khaled Sabsabi speaks at the launch of his exhibition in the Australian pavilion at the Venice Biennale.

Turnbull decries ‘demonising’ of Venice artist as chair admits removal was unfair

Creative Australia chair Wesley Enoch says removal and reinstatement of Australia’s Venice Biennale representative Khaled Sabsabi holds lessons for all arts organisations, as former PM says his treatment was “absolutely” unfair.

  • David Crowe
Winning artist of the Archibald Packing Room Prize 2026, Sean Layh, with his work, an in-performance portrait of actor Jacob Collins as Hamlet.

Self-taught artist wins Packing Room Prize with Shakespearean scene

Sean Layh’s portrait of actor Jacob Collins is one of 59 finalists in the running for this year’s $100,000 Archibald Prize.

  • Linda Morris
Fred Whittaker, a 100-year-old WWII veteran, is featured in this year’s Archibald.

Meet Fred, the Sydney Harbour Bridge-loving, Trump-hating 100-year-old veteran

Fred Whitaker served in the Pacific in World War II. He loves IPA beer and the bridge. Just don’t ask him about the US president.

  • Anthony Segaert

From a naked flatmate to artistic joy – one man’s journey with the Hills Hoist

As a young Englishman in Australia, artist Bruce Munro saw beauty in the everyday.

  • Stephen Brook