Lewis Miller’s Archibald-winning portrait of his friend, the artist Allan Mitelman
The Australian arts program InsideArt, premieres on Foxtel from September 4.
InsideArt has had unprecedented access to many leading artists, sculptors, printmakers and photographers, gallerists and directors here in Australia and overseas.
InsideArt has been in production since 2012 launching originally on Channel 31 Melbourne, Sydney and Perth and was voted Best Arts Program on Australian Community TV in 2014.
The program was conceived, written directed and produced by Michel Lawrence:
“InsideArt has always concentrated on artists with something to say and with artwork of the highest calibre,” Michel said.The program moves to Foxtel from September:
“I’m really excited to have such a good slot and hopefully a great chance for the program.” Says Michel.
The Foxtel series of InsideArt will launch with an in depth look at portraiture. The episode titled The Human World will feature four of Australia’s best portrait artists, including two-times Archibald prize winner Del Kathryn Barton, Lewis Miller and 2016 winner Louise Hearman. The program also includes Vincent Fantauzzo who has won the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, the Archibald Packing Room Prize, and the Archibald People’s Choice Award four times.
Vincent Fantauzzo’s People’s Choice-winning, larger than life portrait of his wife, the actress Asher Keddie.
Australian Galleries’ Stuart Purves provides valuable insight into the art of portraiture, which he describes more like war: The sitter is trying not to give too much away while the painter is trying to get inside. Its always a fight!”
Purves recounted the story of Picasso painting a portrait of the great American expatriate writer Gertrude Stein:
“But it doesn’t look like me” Stein is reported to have said to Picasso.
“Don’t worry. It will!” replied Picasso.
Picasso’s portrait of Stein was dark and brooding and is seen as a precursor to his Cubist period. It was a powerful portrait even if it was not a traditionally soft and romantic likeness.
But that’s what makes for a great portrait.
