Category: Visual Arts Writing

Visual Arts Writing1 Comment

Maggi Hambling is okay by me

Carrie McCarthy

Wowsers, I’ve just read probably the most mean spirited review on an artist’s work ever, by Guardian art critic Jonathan Jones (you can read it here if you haven’t had your daily dose of bitterness yet). Now, Jones unquestionably knows more of art’s historical movements and awkward stages than I do, but I’m not sure that necessarily qualifies him to go on the attack the way he did in reviewing Maggi Hambling’s new show at the National Gallery in London. I didn’t actually know who she was when I read his review (though her face was familiar to me once … Continue reading Maggi Hambling is okay by me

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Hope & Love: through the eyes of refugees

Carrie McCarthy

You know what’s great about Australia’s handling of our refugee ‘crisis’? It’s that no matter how long you take to write about it, it never gets old. I’ve been faffing around since April last year trying to write about refugees and, rather than being out of date, it’s still current. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s even more current now than it was then. That never happens. It’s like journalistic manna from heaven! The issue of asylum seekers is hard to write about without sounding like a massive bleeding heart. Thirteen years ago, with the images of … Continue reading Hope & Love: through the eyes of refugees

Visual Arts Writing1 Comment

The Little Things

Carrie McCarthy

“There’s a reason people build miniatures. Doesn’t matter if it’s guys laying out model railroads or women decorating dollhouses. It’s about control. It’s about reinventing reality. Some people get a lot of satisfaction in creating a little world they can escape to. In making things turn out the way they want, at least in their dreams.” ― Jane Lotter, The Bette Davis Club Christmas Day, 1983. There is an enormous box sitting to the left of the tree, wrapped in what must have been yards of pink tissue paper. Honestly, it’s so huge I could live inside it. I wonder … Continue reading The Little Things

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John Aslanidis – the art of science

Carrie McCarthy

It’s very hard to separate all the facets that make up the area collectively known as The Arts. In fact I’d go so far as to say it’s impossible to. I don’t know anyone involved in any form of creative practice who operates within one area alone, devoid of inspiration and input from any other field. As a writer, I require art and theatre and music in order to remain engaged with my writing. I need my head full of historical references as much as I need it focused on the present. And I need to be around people with some … Continue reading John Aslanidis – the art of science

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Pete Foley: The New Pantheon

Carrie McCarthy

Here’s something I never expected to find myself doing late on a Tuesday night – standing in a vacant, candlelit block high up on a hill in Brisbane’s West End, reading a book by torchlight with a bunch of strangers, while fruit bats circled above us and a cold breeze turned the trees in to scary dancing spirits. I quite sincerely thought I was going to die. But these are the things I am willing to do for my friends, particularly treasures like my mate Pete Foley. When Pete first told me about his concept for The New Pantheon, I reacted … Continue reading Pete Foley: The New Pantheon

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Lindy Lee: The Dark of Absolute Freedom

Carrie McCarthy

No one gets through childhood unscathed. Even those of us lucky enough to have good, loving families and stable home lives drag the weight of something unresolved to adulthood. For me it’s memories of school and being intimately connected with a large group of people with whom I wasn’t comfortable. It’s years ago now, but those wounds still occasionally flare up. Putting all your teenage energy in to ‘fitting in’ leaves a scar or two. The weird thing is that I appear to be remembered for my individuality, so I guess there’s truth in the saying that the harder you try to … Continue reading Lindy Lee: The Dark of Absolute Freedom

Exhibition & Catalogue Essays, Visual Arts WritingLeave a comment

McLean Edwards’ Local Heroes

Carrie McCarthy

A while back I read Roman Payne’s novel Rooftop Soliloquy, a story that was a bit too florid and verbose for me to enjoy, but one that contained a quote I quite liked: “All forms of madness, bizarre habits, awkwardness in society, general clumsiness, are justified in the person who creates good art.” It’s a line that holds true for all creative types. It doesn’t matter how eccentric, loopy, slightly odd or downright insane you are, if you can parlay those quirks into something beautiful you can get away with anything. Now I’m in no position to judge anyone on … Continue reading McLean Edwards’ Local Heroes

Visual Arts Writing1 Comment

McLean Edwards, Delightfully Dishevelled

Carrie McCarthy

I like a freshly made bed as much as the next person, but nothing is as inviting as that same bed the next morning just after you’re out of it, all messed up and warm with your imprint. Some things are just better crumpled. Beds, like I said. Or wrapping paper. Your favourite big sloppy jumper, tablecloths, napkins, brown paper bags…things that have been used for pleasure and enjoyment, ones that show a good time was had and something wonderful occurred. To my list of delightfully dishevelled things I’m going to add artist McLean Edwards. I first met McLean at our mutual … Continue reading McLean Edwards, Delightfully Dishevelled

Visual Arts Writing2 Comments

Febe Zylstra’s Fight or Flight

Carrie McCarthy

My first introduction to Febe Zylstra was by accident, when a friend and I stumbled across the Mental Illness Fellowship Queensland (MIFQ) annual art exhibition just over a year ago. I was only recently recovered from my own encounter with depression, and was immediately drawn to see what this show was all about. Outsider Art is a peculiar thing. It’s not always visually appealing, but that’s not really the point. Art as therapy doesn’t create art that’s pretty, it creates art that’s necessary. And relief from mental illness is attractive in whatever form it takes. It requires a lot of … Continue reading Febe Zylstra’s Fight or Flight