Talking with Painters - the podcast

29/08/2025

So many amazing artists in this year’s ! After my interview with winner (can’t wait to get that onto the podcast) I also had a short chat with 12 of the finalists (pictured here), but I wish I could have spoken to everyone! I’ll be uploading  a video of these interviews on my YouTube channel soon so stay tuned!
Top row (L-R)
2nd row 
3rd row
4th row
I was lucky enough to be a guest of the and stayed at the historic where the exhibition is also held. The exhibition continues until 21 September and there are lots of talks programmed - go to their website for more details!✨

27/08/2025

Australia has lost one of its great painters. William Robinson has passed away at 89.
I first met Bill in 2020 when I interviewed his close friend artist Davida Allen. At Davida’s suggestion, Bill joined the conversation, and what unfolded was a remarkable glimpse into their friendship. For this podcast episode re-release (link in bio), I’ve made edits to focus on Bill—his words, his reflections, and those special moments in conversation with Davida. Bill was a two-time Archibald and Wynne Prize winner, his work is held in over 30 public collections around the world, and he is the only Australian artist with a gallery dedicated entirely to his work.
This episode, although not going deeply into his career, reveals some insightful attjtudes and a heartwarming bond between two longtime friends. Vale William Robinson. My sympathies go to the Robinson family.

26/07/2025

Is on your podcast list yet?? Artist chats with so many interesting people in the art world - from artists, art dealers, arts podcasters (like me - in the latest episode!) and even psychologists, getting into the nitty gritty of the ups and downs of being an artist. I can tell you firsthand that her wonderfully warm interviewing style makes her guests feel at ease and she knows just the right questions to ask. I particularly like her group interviews where she chats with fellow artists - a perfect companion in the studio. She’s also a painter herself - represented by and , she creates stunning representational works focussing on the subjects of the flower and skyscapes. Worth a follow and you can also subscribe to her podcast and Substack!

24/06/2025

Sad to hear that one of Australia’s most influential painters, Kevin Connor, passed away yesterday at the age of 93. Kevin Connor’s work made a huge impact on the Australian art world and on his fellow artists. He was high on my wish list of guests for the podcast and I gathered the courage to request an interview when our paths crossed at one stage. He politely declined in his quietly spoken way (which I later learnt was typical of his demeanour) but I would have loved the opportunity to hear his thoughts on painting. He won the Archibald prize twice, the Dobell Drawing prize twice and there have been major survey shows of his drawing and paintings at the . Vale to a significant Australian painter.
Image: ‘Self portrait III’,1992
Collection

08/05/2025

Missed a crucial portrait in my Archie finalists reel! This fabulous work is by most recent podcast guest . Titled ‘You are only as good as your last painting’, it depicts him stepping back to examine his painting. Richard’s a five time Archibald finalist and you can hear all about his life and fascinating work in ep 165 of the podcast. Link in bio! Video in the pipeline too.

12/12/2024

Caught up with the incredible over pre Christmas coffee!! If you’re in Perth there’s still a few days to catch ‘in the Midst of Happening’ which includes some stunning work and items from her studio.

07/11/2024

Posted • On Friday 25 October we were thrilled to have and talking with Maria Stoljar from . Thank you to those who joined us and a special thank you to Keith, Robert and Maria for being such generous and gregarious guests! If you missed the chance to join us on the night, you can enjoy their forthcoming conversation soon on the Talking with Painters podcast!

Whilst Maria was here, she also caught up with Gallery Director Ingrid Hedgecock and artists and who were undertaking a residency at the Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence studio at the time. You can catch all these conversations on the Talking with Painters podcast and YouTube channel soon!

📷Kate Holmes Image credits: Robert Malherbe and Keith Burt; Robert Malherbe, Keith Burt and Maria Stoljar; guests enjoying sunset drinks in the Foyer before the talk; guests enjoying paintings by Robert Malherbe (image 5) and Keith Burt (image 6); our wonderful guests enjoy the talk.

Paintings by Margaret Olley (1923–2011) featured in this post include
'Still life with objects' 1990, collection of Wren and Belinda Bligh, courtesy of Smith & Singer Fine Art.

'Turkish pots and lemons' 1982. Collection: Art Gallery of New South Wales – Gift of the artist 2001.

'Proteas' 1984. Private Collection, courtesy of Philip Bacon Galleries.

'Ranunculus' 1976. Private Collection, courtesy of Philip Bacon Galleries.

'Katie’s apples' 1989–92. Collection: Art Gallery of New South Wales – Purchased 1995.

'Still life with lupins and marigolds' 1981. Private Collection, courtesy of Smith & Singer Fine Art.

All artworks © Margaret Olley Art Trust

19/06/2024

Hear my interview with Caroline here https://talkingwithpainters.com/2024/04/21/ep-157-caroline-zilinsky/

Whose idea was it for the Australian actor to be shirtless – and what’s with the Camus?

13/06/2024

👋 We’re trying to reach teachers – can you help? If you know a primary or high school teacher in regional, rural or remote NSW, we'd love them to know they can bring the Art Gallery's special exhibitions into their classrooms for free.

Our online regional connect program features free live Zoom sessions for high school students where they'll hear directly from Art Gallery staff about key artworks and themes from the Archibald Prize, and our K–6 learning workshop helps young students explore portraits in new and inspiring ways.

Bookings are open right now, and sessions are also available for non-regional schools at a small charge.

• Secondary school online sessions: https://bit.ly/47sgzuq
• Primary school online sessions: https://bit.ly/3VEEvru

👇 Tag a teacher in the comments to help spread the word!

__

Image: Installation view, ‘Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2024’ , photo © AGNSW, Jenni Carter

29/05/2024

Join us!

20/05/2024

Join us!!

Join us for an inspiring evening with celebrated artist Marikit Santiago in our Artists in Conversation series! Hosted by Maria Stoljar, creator of the popular Talking with Painters - the podcast, this event offers a deep dive into the creative practices that shape Santiago’s remarkable art.

Marikit Santiago, a Western Sydney–based Filipina–Australian artist and three-time Archibald Prize finalist, creates compositions rich with cultural and religious symbolism, reflecting her unique Filipina–Australian experience.

📆 Wed 5 June
⏰ 6 - 7pm
🎟 $10 member | $15 non-member
👉 Book here: bit.ly/3K8HphP

Note: Santiago’s pieces, 'A Seat at the Table (Magulang)' and 'A Seat at the Table (Kapatid)' are currently on display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in the Making Worlds exhibition until 28 July 2024.

The series is proudly sponsored by The Sir William Dobell Art Foundation
_
Image: Marikit Santiago 'Thy Kingdom Come' 2022 (detail), Art Gallery of New South Wales © Marikit Santiago