ART
What is art?
I’ve started asking that again now.
And my art work stuckness
Has a lot to do with that internal question.
But there is an art theme in Australia.
One of the Jugglers Art Space highlights
was being offered the big old
Shed on the river in 2012.
It was a remarkable gift for Studios.
The Government agency wanted us to have it
for a Peppercorn Lease – for 3 years.
“And we would like you to paint the door.”
“The big, big, doors.”
I asked international artist and Jugglers’ friend
Guido van Helten if he would design
And paint it.
He did – two massive welcoming hands on the old
ship building building.
The bureaucrat response:
“Take that down. It’s too frightening for the children.”
Two hands!
The kids were there once a year!
On secluded industrial land!
They had us paint instead:
THE SHED
An article today in from Hart Youth* and posted on Face Book is symptomotic.
And the high profile Creative Australia’s
Recent reversal of the Venice Bienalle Selection.
Khaled Sabsabi, the Lebanese-Australian artist dumped as Australia’s representative at the 2026 Venice Biennale, has spoken publicly for the first time since Creative Australia withdrew his highly prized commission.
Khaled Sabsabi
What is art?
What is art in Australia
Careful…
Careful…
Careful…
Peter Breen, May 7, 2025.
McArthur Avenue, Hamilton, Brisbane with Juggers “The Shed”
WHERE HOPE SITS
by Matilda Emmerich
“With the weight of a world upon his wings, an Angel took a breath and sat back.
If it weren’t for the bloody ruins, he might even look relaxed.
Death sat upon one shoulder, Power upon the other.
Any kindness Death showed, Power would smother.
With one last look across a broken world, he lay down like a wounded deer,
while Death held his hand, Power whispered in his ear
“At least we’ll have Mars.”
And though he was dying, the angel did laugh.
And laugh
and laugh.
Until Death cut through the violence, then replaced the loud silence, and took its turn to whisper
“When you don’t make the trip to Mars and you don’t drive one of those flashy cars; when your prayers aren’t answered —not by Jesus or Buddha; not even the Pope—there’s something you will always have,”
and that thing is called hope.“
Sixteen-year-old HART Youth Ambassador, Matilda Emmerich was initially told her painting could not be included in the Open Art Category of the Hawkesbury Show because it was too heavy to hang. When she questioned the decision—given the painting’s not-unusual weight and the absence of a weight limit in the Show’s Rules and Regulations—she was then informed the content was inappropriate.
The oil painting, created specifically for the Show, features a young, wounded angel surrounded by the torn flags of countries currently in conflict. Titled ‘Where Hope Sits’ a poem is included within the frame emphasising the piece as a message of hope in a time of global uncertainty.
The painting was ultimately rejected on the grounds of being a security concern, with organisers stating that it could potentially upset viewers to the point of provoking a violent response toward the artwork or others nearby.
While respecting the organisers’ commitment to public safety and their right to curate entries, it raises an important question:
Where should a work like this—created by a teenager in regional NSW as a heartfelt expression for her community—be seen and shared?
For next year’s competition, Matilda was encouraged to
try painting a landscape. [!!!]
Another symptom and symbol of the non-importance of art for the whole community is the Liberals focus and the underfunding by the ALP. The Greens are the best and most passionate about art.
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