Est. 1992
Hazel Dooney For five years I’ve painted private commissions, figured out what I have to say in my art now, kept a low profile and worked on recovering my physical health after adverse reactions to all the psych’ meds during my hospital years. It has felt like a long metamorphosis within the cocoon of the studio. But over … Read more
“You will always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you never had the courage to commit.” – Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Grey Inevitably, an artist is described in a few words. Male artists who are unconventional or controversial are enfant terribles. They can be handsome, like Marlon Brando. Or conventionally unattractive – think Serge Gainsbourg, Jean Paul … Read more
Blinds were drawn behind the glass door, darkening the background. On the surface, white lettering: Parkers Sydney Fine Art Supplies, Custom Picture Framing Since 1918. Ten feet to the left, a roller door opening to the workshop. Inside, power leads were strung across ceiling beams. To the left, a wall of tools and a long timber workbench. In the centre a large, sturdy worktable … Read more
In between projects I like to deliver completed works, then clean and de-clutter the studio. It’s a good time to re-assess where I’m at and my direction from here. Recently I watched the Andy Warhol Diaries documentary. I’ve read the book. I was more interested in footage of Warhol’s studio set up, including a handmade wall chart … Read more
After several long international flights and a night in Japan, I arrived. The afternoon light was soft. At first, I thought everything was blurred through the aeroplane window. But it looked the same when I stepped outside. Shadows melted into the landscape. Colours seemed at once more vivid and more nuanced. Even the tarmacked air … Read more
The art collector said, “Look, there’s Barry Humphries. You should get a photo.” I followed his eyes and saw the man best known as Dame Edna Everage. He was discretely browsing paintings at the fine art auction preview, catalogue in hand. I remembered his other character – the obscene Sir Les Patterson, Australian Cultural Attaché … Read more
In a few months it will be five years since I returned to Sydney to rebuild my life as an artist. Before leaving Brisbane I rented a room in a boarding house via WhatsApp. I packed the art materials I had left in a few boxes, along with some clothes and books, and sent them … Read more