"Remain, as I do, incomprehensible: to be great is to be misunderstood"- Oscar Wilde.

"You knew what my Art was to me, the great primal note by which I had revealed, first myself to myself, and then myself to the world"- Oscar Wilde.

September 24, 2012

Cameron Noble


Cameron Noble’s paintings and drawings of pop stars, models and celebrities are stunning. His brilliant use of colour heightens their already iconic state until the viewer is completely captivated. At only 29, Cameron’s painting of Billie Holiday has already been included in Arts Project’s Permanent collection. The permanent collection enables a truly significant work by an artist to become a part of a much loved and cared for collection of work. 

Cameron’s work is alluring and sensual. His portraits reveal a knowingness of each subject. We have been very excited about what Cameron had in store for us. 

Earlier, we went down to Rose Chong Costumes and we all put our hands together in tribute for a late nineties VH1 Top count down #1 HIT. 

Rose Chong Costumes

Cameron searching for the look

Dan and Christina wait for the reveal

All hands on set!

September 22, 2012

Peter Ben

Talk of the Good and the Bad can often get a bit tricky. Some see good and bad in black and white. Others see a great deal of gray. Our conversations with Peter on the subject often got quite, well, colourful. These conversations led to his new work which tackles the question of the good and bad as well as the LAW!

We have had a great deal of fun. There is nothing like a good 'cops and robbers' chase to make everyone happy. Here are some photos of the behind the scenes filming of Peter’s work as he gets into character.

Peter Ben takes over the green screen room

It's a wrap: Rebecca, Peter Ben and Christina after a long morning of filming 


September 19, 2012

Alanna Dodd


The good thing about being an artist is that you can express yourself, declare what you love and, yes, even indulge your obsessions. Like many of her contemporaries, such as artists like Elizabeth Peyton and Karen Kilimnik, Alanna does all of this. Much of her art making has been devoted to one of her great loves, James Hird.

We had a great time in the Arts Project Australia Archives looking through Alanna’s work with her. She has aptly shown that both love and painting are powerful things. To paraphrase Peyton, Alanna has shown how painting can become an opportunity to transform your ideas and thoughts about a person into a meditation- and how they become the occasion.

September 12, 2012

Paul Hodges

A true figurative artist, Paul’s point of departure in his artwork is often the body in movement. With a background in dance, Paul’s new work draws on his interest in ballet, classical music and the representation of great historical figures in Art. When we met with Paul earlier in the year he was painting portraits of Napoleon. They share a striking resemblance and who doesn’t get fascinated with French opulence. It was wonderful synchronicity when the NGV International opened Napoleon Revolution to Empire… we were practically first in line.

Here are some images of our visit to the exhibition. There is some very exciting filming being done tonight… we are keeping the location under wraps but not its subject. Prepare yourself to meet NaPAULeon at The Great un Reveal!






September 9, 2012

Chris O'Brien

For Chris O'Brien, spaces holds meaning and a multitude of narratives and memory both imagined and real. Remaking a space, through model making, drawing, painting or installation is a way Chris can capture and hold dear the intangible power imbued in a space.

Like Chris, we are fascinated with how the the spaces we fill have the potential to carry meaning. We also love what has fallen into decrepitude. As we began working with Chris it was announced on the evening news that the lifts in the Nicholas Building were being replaced with modern ones. Our heart sunk. Not only did we feel the loss of the physical lifts and the memories they held, but there was also the inherent loss of the lift drivers with whom we shared our days. Chris knew both the lifts and their drivers from his visits to our studio. He wanted to talk to people about how they felt about this, he wanted to interview them while in the lifts, and he also wants to go on the radio.

So began 'the lift project'....

Chris and Christina with artist and lift attendant, Tim Fleming

Chris with his model lift

Chris and Esther looking at clothing from the era when the lifts were first built

September 1, 2012

Kelvin Heffernan

Kelvin Heffernan is a seasoned painter whose work brings to life archetypal monsters, witches and other damned characters. Horned beasts, hunters, and metamorphosed people are painted in a passion, with intense colour and visceral mark making. Kelvin's work feel's like its embodied and as such it felt right that it grew in scale and form.


Kelvin in front of one his large-scale background paintings for "The Great Un Reveal"