Musings
Barrie Sheppard continues his exploration of ekphrasis. Barrie writes: Thank you, wordsmith!
You gotta S-M-I-L-E
After yet another zoom/webex/Microsoft teams meeting where I was confronted with a checkerboard of faces, I was reminded of the photograph ‘Crowd #9 (Sunset Five)’ 2013 by Los Angeles photographer, …
Deconstructing Louise
Looking at Tom Roberts’ portrait of Louise Smith, Sylvia Walsh digs deep. Sylvia writes: ‘As a reflection of historic appearances this painting raises many questions: Who was Louise? Captured in …
Gainsborough’s letters
Once again, Barrie Sheppard gives us a greater insight into Gainsborough’s creative abilities. Barrie writes: Famous for his talent with paint brush and pencil, Thomas Gainsborough also had considerable skill …
Another COVID Experience
Over recent weeks we have heard a lot about state borders and restrictions. The limitations placed upon us have created significant consternation and, in some cases, considerable hardship. This has …
Vale: Kate Daw
It is probably a year since I saw Kate Daw, but it feels like it was much more recent. Kate was one of those people who was always around – …
Conflicted
Today there are two poems which both refer to conflicted relationships. The first is by Nita Jawary and is a response to Orchardson’s ‘The first cloud‘: The second poem is …
The Rivals – Gainsborough vs Reynolds
Barrie Sheppard continues his exploration of the lives of two great English artists. Barrie writes: Thomas Gainsborough (born 1727) was married. His wife, Mary, was the illegitimate daughter of the …
Feeling trapped? Write!
The extension of the current pandemic lockdown has caused considerable community consternation. While disappointing and discouraging, my medical background, and continuing awareness of the global health chaos, supports the cautious …
Father’s Day
Looking at the paintings of fathers in the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria on Father’s Day, I wondered which best symbolised my relationship with my father. Ultimately, I …