Art Matters

Art Matters Podcast - 2026-3-17

Art Matters #43 - Cathryn Sofarnos Intro Track: Paprika Pony, Kim Gordon, No Home Record, 2019 Todays studio guest was Abstract Artist Cathryn Sofarnos whose bold, large-scale abstract paintings layered with colour, line and texture — explore emotion, perception and the feeling of place. We chatted process and artist statements, how Cathy comes upon her themes or concepts for bodies of work and the love of having space (mental) to create even if your studio is chaotic! It was a great chat and I hope it left you inspired. Cathy currently has a solo exhibition called Past Tense which is on at Smith + Gertrude  gallery space at 73 Smith Street Fitzroy - running from March 4th until March 15th. Get along to see it if you can You can check out Cathy's website cathrynsofarnos.com and Instagram @cathrynsofarnos she also has a work in the group exhibition Continuum at Burrinja Gallery opening this week as a part of the Open Studios program for 2026. Cathy's studio in this years Open Studios program is Number 1 - up in Kalorama and she will only be open the first weekend 21st-22nd of March - so get in early.  DANDENONG RANGES OPEN STUDIOS 2026 openstudios.org.au March 21st-22nd and 28th-29th  Plus make sure to visit the group exhibition at Burrinja gallery - Continuum  Opens March 12th. Burrinja Cultural Centre 351 Glenfern Rd  Upwey, VIC burrinja.org.au Todays Tracks: Short Skirt/Long Jacket, CAKE Mama Roux, Dr John Intro, The xx A MASSIVE THANK YOU to all the Art Matters Subscribers: Little Acres - Ange Kelly K Sullivan – Collage Artist Sing Song Ceramics - Selby Elizabeth Gleeson – Muralist and fine artist Shirley Dougan – Artist Natasja - Textile artist Rajko Grbac (sculptor) The Forge Institute – Community Group The Hut Gallery FERNTREE GULLY Cheech the rescue staffy via Tass & Pottsy from Belgrave  Please get in touch with us to let us know about your upcoming exhibitions and events. artmatters97.1fm@gmail.com   or   @artmatters_97.1fm

Art Matters #42 - Elizabeth Gleeson Intro Track: Paprika Pony, Kim Gordon, No Home Record, 2019 My guest in the studio today was the incredibly talented Elizabeth Gleeson — a professional muralist and fine artist whose bold, intricate, patterned works have transformed spaces across Australia and internationally. From large-scale public murals to detailed canvas works, Elizabeth’s unmistakable nostalgic style has brought colour and immersive beauty to bars, restaurants, schools, councils and private spaces — she has been profiled as the feature artist in Grand Designs Australia Magazine and been a feature at many public events. We chatted about finding her visual language - the mindshift from canvas to mural, her process and the public response to her work - while she is making it. We talked about how important it is that she makes sure a client will be a good fit and the process for that, as well as the balance of being a full time artist and running every element of a small business whilst also being a mum and a partner and doing all that life brings - BUSY!! Elizabeth has an amazing website that you can check out to see her beautiful projects and get in touch with her if you want to enquire about a commission. Check it out here: Elizabeth Gleeson Website Elizabeth will also be opening her studio (and Home doors) for the 2026 Dandenong Ranges Open Studios program you can jump online and find out all about the program here - openstudios.org.au Head along to get a two for one deal and see both Elizabeths and Gerard Russo's studios this march and keep your eyes peeled for some cute socks and colouring in sheets !! DANDENONG RANGES OPEN STUDIOS 2026 openstudios.org.au March 21st-22nd and 28th-29th  Plus the group exhibition at Burrinja gallery - Continuum  Opens March 12th. Todays Tracks: Love fool, The Cardigans Pockets, Parsnip La jeune fille aux cheveux balancs, Camille A MASSIVE THANK YOU to all the Art Matters Subscribers: Little Acres - Ange Kelly K Sullivan – Collage Artist Sing Song Ceramics - Selby Elizabeth Gleeson – Muralist and fine artist Shirley Dougan – Artist Natasja - Textile artist Rajko Grbac (sculptor) The Forge Institute – Community Group The Hut Gallery FERNTREE GULLY Cheech the rescue staffy via Tass & Pottsy from Belgrave  Please get in touch with us to let us know about your upcoming exhibitions and events. artmatters97.1fm@gmail.com   or   @artmatters_97.1fm

Art Matters #41 - Sasha Emrith - BIJOUX Intro Track: Paprika Pony, Kim Gordon, No Home Record, 2019 Todays guest was Melbourne-based jeweller Sasha Emrith — the creative force behind Bijoux by Sasha, creator of handcrafted pieces that aren’t just jewellery, but heirlooms in the making. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Vanity Fairand walked the runway at Melbourne Fashion Week — all while remaining proudly handcrafted by an all-Australian small business. Sasha creates jewels for life’s most meaningful moments — timeless adornments designed to hold memory, emotion and story. We chatted about how she first got into making jewellery - what her processes look like and the connections she has made while learning and making. Sasha also told us a bit about man-made gems and why shes decided to use them in her work as well as recycling gold and silver as much as she can. Jump online and have a look at Sasha's gorgeous sparkly jewels find out how to get in touch for a custom jewellery piece and follow along as she takes Bijoux to the stars! https://bijouxbysasha.com/ Things to look up: Development Manager job open at Linden Gallery  lindenarts.org to apply Burrinja Gallery – LAST WEEKEND Revisions until Sunday 1st March  The Hut Gallery – workshops at the hut – Monday print workshop, Tuesday still life workshop $5 for members $10 for non members all are welcome – jump on thehutgallery.com.au KAPI ART SPACE – Sunday social BYO Project 10:30-12:30pm and paint, pinot with heather Bradbury once a month kapiartspace.com Creative Australia Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups Applications close 3pm (AEDT), March 3, 2026, for projects beginning from June 9, 2026 to June 2028 This program funds a range of activities and projects, such as the creation of new work, practice-based research, festivals, exhibitions, and more, across all art forms, that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences and communities. Grants are available from $10,000 to $50,000. Supported activities must not last longer than two years from the proposed start date. Grant guidelines can be found online. https://creative.gov.au/investments-opportunities/arts-projects-individuals-and-groups PCA Print Commission 2026 Entries close 5pm, February 28, 2026 For over five decades, the PCA’s Print Commission has showcased many talented and innovative artists working in print – both established and emerging. The Print Council of Australia invites applications for the Print Commission 2026, an opportunity to join this historic lineage of commissioned artists. The PCA Print Commission is open to living artists residing in Australia and New Zealand, with the successful applicant receiving major promotional and professional development opportunities. The Print Commission is launched in September in IMPRINT magazine, and artists’ proofs are exhibited in interstate galleries; prints are also included in the PCA Print Archive Collection, 1967–present, and the Canson Australia and State Library Victoria collections. Submitted images must be original works of the entrant and made in the past three years. Visit the website for additional Terms and Conditions. https://www.printcouncil.org.au/print-commission-entries-2026/ Todays Tracks: Radio Ladio, Metronomy Ride that Dolphin, KNOWER Nobody loves you more, Kim Deal A MASSIVE THANK YOU to all the Art Matters Subscribers: Little Acres - Ange Kelly K Sullivan – Collage Artist Sing Song Ceramics - Selby Elizabeth Gleeson – Muralist and fine artist Shirley Dougan – Artist Natasja - Textile artist Rajko Grbac (sculptor) The Forge Institute – Community Group The Hut Gallery FERNTREE GULLY Cheech the rescue staffy via Tass & Pottsy from Belgrave  Please get in touch with us to let us know about your upcoming exhibitions and events. artmatters97.1fm@gmail.com   or   @artmatters_97.1fm

Art Matters #40- James McLean Intro Track: Paprika Pony, Kim Gordon, No Home Record, 2019 Todays guest was Melbourne-based artist James McLean — a self-taught creative whose bold, expressive works combine marker, ink and digital imagery to explore the human condition. Drawing inspiration from everyday life and the people around him, James creates vibrant, abstract faces that speak to social and political issues shaping our world — from inequality and mental health to community and connection. James' naïve, high-impact style has drawn comparisons to artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Pablo Picasso — and his work has been exhibited locally and internationally, including his solo show The City Series. James' work is bold, vibrant and thought-provoking — and I love how it invites us to look closer, and consider the people and issues around us with a little more care and empathy. If you’d like to see some of James McLean’s colourful characters and upcoming exhibitions, you can follow his work online and keep an eye out for future shows. @jamesmcleanart Things to look up: Museum of Australian Photography (MAPh) @maph_photography Deakin University Art Gallery Town Hall Gallery Whitehorse Artspace Montsalvat creative spaces and residencies The Creative Spaces Project presents a three-tiered structure of accessibility: Creative Bookable Spaces, Project Spaces, and Makers Studios. https://montsalvat.com.au/creative-programs-and-residencies/ Todays Tracks: The Hangman, Beat Happening She's Back, PYPY To be young (to be sad, to be high), Ryan Adams Ordinary Agony, Possible Humans A MASSIVE THANK YOU to all the Art Matters Subscribers: Little Acres - Ange Kelly K Sullivan – Collage Artist Sing Song Ceramics - Selby Elizabeth Gleeson – Muralist and fine artist Shirley Dougan – Artist Natasja - Textile artist Rajko Grbac (sculptor) The Forge Institute – Community Group The Hut Gallery FERNTREE GULLY Cheech the rescue staffy via Tass & Pottsy from Belgrave  Please get in touch with us to let us know about your upcoming exhibitions and events. artmatters97.1fm@gmail.com   or   @artmatters_97.1fm

Art Matters #39 - Tim Lines Intro Track: Paprika Pony, Kim Gordon, No Home Record, 2019 Todays Guest was Artist/Musician/maker/creator Tim Lines a local and a fellow 3MDR presenter. He gave us some great chats about his life with art music and being part of a creative scene - the DIY - the have a go attitude and finding your tribe of funky people to collaborate with.  Always a pleasure to chat with Tim. Todays Tracks: Sir James - Jazz Boogaloo, Sonic Funk Foundry Bummer in the Summer, Love Summer of love, Jess Ribeiro A MASSIVE THANK YOU to all the Art Matters Subscribers: Little Acres - Ange Kelly K Sullivan – Collage Artist Sing Song Ceramics - Selby Elizabeth Gleeson – Muralist and fine artist Shirley Dougan – Artist Natasja - Textile artist Rajko Grbac (sculptor) The Forge Institute – Community Group The Hut Gallery FERNTREE GULLY Cheech the rescue staffy via Tass & Pottsy from Belgrave  Please get in touch with us to let us know about your upcoming exhibitions and events. artmatters97.1fm@gmail.com   or   @artmatters_97.1fm  

Art Matters #38 - Claire Bridge Un/Becoming Intro Track: Paprika Pony, Kim Gordon, No Home Record, 2019 Todays guest was Artist Claire Bridge, who has a new solo exhibition open at the Maroondah Federation Estate Gallery in Ringwood as part of the Paypal Melbourne Fashion Festival Independent Program. Claire’s exhibition is titled Un/Becoming, and it explores ideas of transformation, hybridity, and the shifting boundary between the human and the more-than-human. Working with ceramics and mixed media, Claire creates forms that feel part-formed, evolving, and a little unsettled — inviting us to sit in that space of change rather than resolution. We chatted about the themes and myths present, the hybrid, the becoming, the digestion, the finished but also unresolved characters and the very intentional curation of the works to guide the viewer on a path through the narrative within the gallery space. Un/Becoming is on now until March 20th 2026 Maroondah Federation Estate Gallery (MFEG) 32 Greenwood Avenue Ringwood 3134 Opening Hours Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Closed on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays (except for events) Launch event is this Thursday 5th Feb from 6pm - 8pm - Auslan Interpreted and there will be a closing event - Auslan Tour:  Sat 21 March 2026  |  10.30am – 11am  |  Auslan, guided by Claire Bridge with Deaf artist Irene Holub Artist /Curator Talk:  Sat 21 March 2026  |  11am – 12pm  |  All welcome, Auslan/English Interpreted, artist Claire Bridge and MFEG Curator in conversation Check out Claires website and socials for more info- https://www.clairebridgeartist.com/ @clairebridge It’s a beautiful opportunity to spend time with work that invites us to slow down, sit with change, and imagine new ways of being. Todays Tracks: My Risks is Art, The Native Cats Don't Bleed your'e in the middle of the forest, Le Butcherettes I was Neon, Julia Jacklin A MASSIVE THANK YOU to all the Art Matters Subscribers: Little Acres - Ange Kelly K Sullivan – Collage Artist Sing Song Ceramics - Selby Elizabeth Gleeson – Muralist and fine artist Shirley Dougan – Artist Natasja - Textile artist Rajko Grbac (sculptor) The Forge Institute – Community Group The Hut Gallery FERNTREE GULLY Cheech the rescue staffy via Tass & Pottsy from Belgrave  Please get in touch with us to let us know about your upcoming exhibitions and events. artmatters97.1fm@gmail.com   or   @artmatters_97.1fm    

Art Matters #37 - Kapi Art Space  Intro Track: Paprika Pony, Kim Gordon, No Home Record, 2019 Todays guest was Karly, the new director at Kapi Art Space, a place well known for its classes, its rotating gallery space and its beautiful location. With its long history as a creative space Karly has just dived into the role of director as of last week and told us all about how she plans to grow the space and its offerings with care. Karly is a mixed media visual artist, teacher and researcher whose career has drawn from and centred around her interest and practice in meaningful, creative engagement. We had a great chat today about her ideas but also how she will take it slow to settle in properly and build the space as it flows.  Definitely watch this space and we will keep in touch with Karly to find out more as she goes along! Look up Kapi Art Space to find out more: www.kapiartspace.com @kapiartspace A gallery & studio in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. Gallery open Thurs - Mon 10.30am-5.00pm 1282 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Kalorama, Victoria, Australia 3766 See link for classes - linktr.ee/kapiartspace There are still a couple of spots in Gabby Willmott's drawing class this Sunday!! Look it up!! Things to enter/apply for: Artbank Prize All living artists — emerging or established, represented or independent — working in any medium collected by Artbank and suitable for public leasing are eligible to apply. One finalist will be selected from each state and territory, with the winning work to be acquired for a maximum purchase price of $20,000. An exhibition featuring the eight finalists will be held at Artbank’s premises alongside a public program that celebrates the artists and their works. January 2026; Open Submission Process, Guidelines published. April 30 2026; Close Submission Process. June 2026; Finalists announced. August 2026: Awards event at Artbank. Announcement of Winner. For more information please contact Artbank enquiries@artbank.gov.au artbank prize Galleries looking for proposals for 2026: Red Gallery Sol Gallery Yarra Sculpture Gallery   Todays Tracks: A Minha Minana, Os Mutantes Summer Jam, Metronomy Summer Bummer, LOVE She's Back, PYPY A MASSIVE THANK YOU to all the Art Matters Subscribers: Little Acres - Ange Kelly K Sullivan – Collage Artist Sing Song Ceramics - Selby Elizabeth Gleeson – Muralist and fine artist Shirley Dougan – Artist Natasja - Textile artist Rajko Grbac (sculptor) The Forge Institute – Community Group The Hut Gallery FERNTREE GULLY Cheech the rescue staffy via Tass & Pottsy from Belgrave  Please get in touch with us to let us know about your upcoming exhibitions and events. artmatters97.1fm@gmail.com   or   @artmatters_97.1fm  

Art Matters #36 - Back in the studio for 2026! Intro Track: Paprika Pony, Kim Gordon, No Home Record, 2019 Art Matters is a space for highlighting artists in our local region, out here in the hills and out to the whole Yarra ranges area and we will also look a little further abroad to keep you all inspired and up to date with what is going on in and around Melbourne and Victoria. We take a closer look at all kinds of art forms and mediums and have really great conversations with artists about their practices, their exhibitions, their spaces, communities and overall experiences as art makers. Sometimes these conversations go places we weren’t expecting! This year we will aim to catch up a bit more on the latest art news or issues happening now in the art world and we would invite you to tune in and send us a text while on air We also want to our ear to the ground locally, engaging local community, council and institutions. And of course, we will keep you in the know about upcoming grants and awards that are available to apply for. Lots of great things to tune in for each week!  Opportunities to apply for: (grants/awards/prizes) Creative Australia Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups arts-projects-individuals-and-groups Value:$10,000 to $50,000 Important dates:Closes 3pm AEDT 3 March 2026 Eligibility: Only individuals and groups may apply; applicants must be an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident, and a practicing artist or arts professional Creative Australia Arts Projects for Organisations arts-projects-organisations Value: $20,000 and $100,000 Important dates:Closes 3pm AEDT 3 March 2026 Eligibility:Only organisations may apply, for projects that benefit practicing Australian artists, their work or Australian audiences   MAMA (Murray Art Museum Albury) - National Photography Prize, Australia’s longest running acquisitive photographic award, now offering a $40,000 acquisitive prize to the winner, named in honour of Dr Audray Banfield AM. Every two years, the prize brings together artists from across Australia who are developing and challenging photographic language and techniques in contemporary art. It’s free to enter, and all artists working with photography, including emerging artists, are encouraged to apply. Applications are now open until 20 February 2026 national-photography-prize The Bayside Painting Prize is nationally recognised as Melbourne’s premier painting prize. The finalist exhibition brings together a broad range of artists from across Australia, both established and lesser known, whose varied approaches to the painted medium conveys the breadth and diversity of painting in Australia today. The Bayside Painting Prize features a non-acquisitive Major Prize of $25,000, a $10,000 Beckett Local Prize (acquisitive), and a $1,000 People’s Choice Award. Important dates Call for entries open: Saturday 1 November 2025 Applications close: 5pm,Friday 20 February 2026 Selection notification:By Friday 20 March 2026 Artwork delivery to Bayside Gallery: Wednesday 22 April – Friday 24 April 2026 Opening event at Bayside Gallery:Thursday 30 April 2026 Finalist exhibition at Bayside Gallery: Friday 1 May – Sunday 14 June 2026 Artwork collection from Bayside Gallery: Monday 15 – Tuesday 16 June 2026 For further information, including terms & conditions, please visit Bayside Painting Prize. Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, the Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize is the highest-value art prize for women in Australia with $58,000 in prize money available across Professional Artist, Emerging Artist and Indigenous Emerging Artist categories – plus a People’s Choice Award and Highly Commended Awards. Entries to the Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize may be in any medium and must best reflect the intentions of the artist’s practice. Entries are open to all Australian women artists aged 18 years and over. To enter and for more information, visit the website. Exhibitions/Workshops: Contempora 2 Exhibition - 17 January - 1 February  Berninneit Art Gallery 91-97 Thompson Ave, Cowes VIC 3922 Open Mon-Fri 9.30-5pm Sat & Sun 10-4pm  Website The Forge Institute Workshop: Stage & Drag Makeup Crashcourse Big. Bold. Dramatic. Unapologetically loud. This Stage & Drag Makeup Crash-course is your invitation to step into the world of exaggerated expression and learn how to paint a face that can hold its own under lights, on stage, or in full drag fantasy. Led by the electrifying Pompeyfress, this one-day intensive is all about pushing boundaries, celebrating identity, and learning the technical skills behind larger-than-life makeup. You’ll cover structural contouring, highlight placement for stage visibility, bold colour choices, eyebrow blocking, lash stacking, glitter handling, and how to make a face read from metres away. Pompeyfress will walk you through product selection, layering techniques, and the secrets behind crafting characters with makeup alone. Expect a mix of demo, guided practice, and hands-on experimentation. Come as you are — curious, chaotic, or keen to glow like a disco sun — and leave with a finished stage-ready look and a whole new set of skills. Perfect for performers, drag babies, theatre kids, cosplayers, and anyone who lives for dramatic transformation. Running from Upwey/Upper Ferntree Gully. Materials: Bring what you have; optional shared kit available Sunday, January 25, 2026 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM  THE FORGE INSTITUTE Todays Tracks: Batakari, Ata Kak Creep Heart, Ouch My Face My Risks is Art, The Native Cats A MASSIVE THANK YOU to all the Art Matters Subscribers: Little Acres - Ange Kelly K Sullivan – Collage Artist Sing Song Ceramics - Selby Elizabeth Gleeson – Muralist and fine artist Shirley Dougan – Artist Natasja - Textile artist Rajko Grbac (sculptor) The Forge Institute – Community Group The Hut Gallery FERNTREE GULLY Cheech the rescue staffy via Tass & Pottsy from Belgrave  Please get in touch with us to let us know about your upcoming exhibitions and events. artmatters97.1fm@gmail.com   or   @artmatters_97.1fm