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Ann Cape is a celebrated Australian artist whose career spans over four decades, marked by her evocative portraiture, sensitive explorations of memory, and enduring commitment to arts education. Based in Sydney, Cape has established herself as a leading figure in figurative painting, known for her ability to capture not only the physical likeness of her subjects but also a deep psychological presence. Her practice includes painting, drawing, and sculpture, often centered on themes of identity, personal history, and human connection.

Cape studied at the National Art School in Sydney, as well as overseas in London. Her influence extends well beyond her studio, through her teaching, mentorship, and role as a judge in various art awards.

Her portraits have been finalists in numerous national prizes, including the Archibald, the Portia Geach, the Doug Moran, and the Mosman Art Prize. Cape’s work is held in public, private, and corporate collections across Australia, and she has exhibited widely both in solo and group shows.

A standout in her recent work is An Unending Shadow, a deeply personal exhibition created in collaboration with her daughter, artist Sophie Cape. This show dealt with their family’s experience of dementia, merging generations of artistic inquiry to produce a raw and moving body of work.

Cape’s thoughtful, human-centered approach to portraiture makes her an ideal guest for the Art Wank Podcast. In this episode, we discuss her life in art, her process in the studio, her thoughts on the evolving role of portraiture in Australia, and her current exhibition, A Painter’s Painter, curated by Ann herself, is on show at Mosman Art Gallery until August. The exhibition features portraits of Ann’s artist friends alongside their own artworks, offering a unique and intimate perspective on their creative lives and personal connections. 

Thanks for talking to us, Ann. 

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In this episode, we’re joined by two key figures from Studio A—CEO Gab Mordy and artist Thom Roberts—for a lively chat about carving out space for neurodiverse artists in the contemporary art world.

Thom shares insights into his recent solo exhibition in Canberra at the National Portrait Gallery, 'The Immersive World of Thom Roberts', reflecting on the ideas behind the work, how it came together, and what it’s like to see your art out in the world. We also talk about his journey through his twenties, and how his relationship with Studio A has helped shape his creative practice, offering both a space and a platform to grow as an artist.

Gab takes us back to the origins of Studio A, revealing how the organisation came to be and the challenges and breakthroughs along the way. She also talks about her recent research trip overseas, where she explored other supported studio models across Europe and North America.

This is a conversation about the power of supported studios, the value of long-term creative relationships, and what happens when artists are given the freedom and resources to thrive.

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Katherine Edney is a Sydney-based artist whose evocative oil paintings delve into themes of identity, memory, and emotional transformation. Born in 1983, she holds a Master of Fine Arts by Research in Painting from UNSW’s College of Fine Arts (2008), as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts with First Class Honours (2004).

Edney’s work has received wide recognition in major Australian art prizes. She was a finalist in the prestigious Archibald Prize in both 2019 and 2020. Her 2019 entry, Self-portrait with Ariel, captured a poignant and deeply personal moment during late pregnancy, highlighting her ongoing interest in the strength and vulnerability of the female body during periods of transformation. Other accolades include multiple selections for the Salon des Refusés (2021–2024), the Portia Geach Memorial Award, Ravenswood Women’s Art Prize, and the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship.

Her recent solo exhibition, I want to lie in the clouds with you, held at Curl Curl Creative Space, explored mental health and emotional landscapes. Through dreamlike compositions and layered textures, Edney invites the viewer into a contemplative space of calm and introspection.
Katherine Edney 

Her portfolio spans portraiture, still life, and landscape. Notable works include David, Teena, and the black dog (Archibald finalist, 2020) and Ariel as a Green Cat (finalist, 2024 National Emerging Art Prize). Edney’s paintings often blend realism with symbolism, creating narratives that resonate on both personal and universal levels.

Alongside her painting practice, Edney is committed to arts education and runs classes for children on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Her work continues to evolve, underpinned by a strong dedication to storytelling and emotional nuance.

Discover more at katherineedney.com.

Thanks Katherine, we really appreciate your time!

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In this episode of Art Wank, we dive into the dynamic and prolific career of Australian artist Ann Thomson, whose expressive, abstract works have made her a vital force in Australian contemporary art for over five decades. Born in 1933 in Brisbane and trained at the National Art School in Sydney, Thomson’s practice has always defied easy categorisation. Her paintings and sculptures are known for their vibrant energy, lyrical abstraction, and a deep, intuitive connection to material and process.

We explore Thomson’s early influences, including her time in Europe during the 1960s, and how her work evolved through an engagement with both landscape and gesture. Her ability to balance spontaneity with formal rigour creates works that feel both immediate and timeless. Whether working in paint, paper, or three-dimensional forms, Thomson consistently brings a bold sense of freedom and exploration to her practice.

Over the years, Ann has been the recipient of numerous accolades, including the prestigious Wynne Prize for landscape painting. She has exhibited extensively across Australia and internationally, and her work is held in major public and private collections.

In our conversation, we reflect on her fearless approach to art-making, her thoughts on abstraction, and her commitment to making work that resists constraints and expectations. Ann Thomson’s career is a testament to the power of following intuition and embracing the unknown.

We really appreciate your time, thanks Ann. 

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In this episode, we delve into the practice of Sydney-based artist Kyle Murrell, whose abstract works explore the tension between structure and meaning. A 2013 Honours graduate of the National Art School, Murrell has garnered accolades including the John Olsen Prize for Figure Drawing and the Elioth Gruner Prize for Landscape Painting . His process is rooted in drawing, serving as both exploration and regeneration, leading to paintings that deconstruct and obscure subjects through layered mark-making .

Murrell's commitment to abstraction earned him the 2019 Defiance Award, granting a residency with the Nock Art Foundation in New Zealand . Represented by Defiance Gallery, his recent exhibitions include New Paintings and the upcoming Always At Every Moment (31 May – 21 June 2025) . Join us as we discuss his evolving practice, the role of repetition, and how drawing sustains his creative journey.

Thanks Kyle

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In this episode of Art Wank, we speak with Teresa Biet, founder (alongside her husband Andre) and director of Art Incubator – a philanthropic initiative that champions emerging Australian artists through financial support, mentorship, and increased visibility. Teresa shares her deep passion for the arts and her belief in their power to inspire change and foster community. We discuss the origins of Art Incubator, the challenges of sustaining independent arts initiatives, and what draws her to support particular artists. Teresa also reflects on the shifting landscape of contemporary art in Australia and the importance of backing new and diverse voices. Whether you're an artist, curator, or simply an art lover, this episode offers a fascinating look at how individual vision and private support can help shape the future of the visual arts.

https://artincubator.com.au

Ten Fold: A decade of Emerging Art Incubator Artists is on now at Manly Art Gallery and Museum until June 1st 2025

Thanks Teresa for your insightful and passionate conversation. 

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Lottie Consalvo is a deeply intuitive and reflective artist whose recent body of work has been profoundly shaped by time spent meditating and working in the Australian bush. Her latest exhibition, Long Dawn, recently shown at her Sydney gallery Nanda Hobbs, reveals the contemplative power of being immersed in nature — where solitude, stillness, and the landscape become integral to her process.

In this episode, we speak with Lottie about the evolution of her multidisciplinary practice, which spans painting, sculpture, and video performance. We discuss how her work continues to expand in scale and emotional depth, and how presence, slowness, and imagination are vital tools in her creative life.

'How can we see beyond what is visible? To grasp at something intangible, knowing that it exists somewhere on the periphery, but is never fully within reach? Lottie Consalvo doesn’t ask us these questions, she dwells in them—urging us to loosen our grip on certainty and open ourselves to the limitless possibilities that exist beyond our definition of reality.' - Nanda Hobbs

Thanks for talking to us Lottie.

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In this episode of Art Wank, we delve into the world of Australian landscape painter David Collins, whose latest solo exhibition, Brevity, is currently on view at Defiance Gallery in Sydney from May 3 to 24, 2025 .

Collins has been a significant figure in the Australian art scene since the early 1990s . Residing on Dangar Island in the Hawkesbury River since 1987, his daily interactions with the river—often by rowboat—deeply inform his artistic practice . His works are known for their meditative quality, blending abstraction with a profound sense of place.

Brevity continues this exploration, offering a series of paintings that reflect Collins' intimate connection with the Australian landscape. The exhibition showcases his ability to distill vast natural scenes into compositions that are both evocative and restrained.

Throughout his career, Collins has participated in numerous residencies, including the Australian Wildlife Conservancy Residency in Queensland and the Nock Art Foundation Residency in New Zealand . His work has been recognised in prestigious awards such as the Wynne Prize and the Salon des Refusés.

In our conversation, Collins discusses his artistic journey, the influence of his surroundings, and the themes present in Brevity. He shares insights into his process and the philosophies that underpin his work.

Join us as we explore the nuanced landscapes of David Collins and gain a deeper understanding of his contribution to contemporary Australian art.

Brevity is on display at Defiance Gallery, 12 Mary Place, Paddington, NSW, until May 24, 2025. For more information, visit defiancegallery.com.

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In this episode of Art Wank, we sit down with Sydney-based artist Matt Bromhead to dive into his multidisciplinary practice, which spans drawing, sculpture, and painting. Known for his expressive use of materials and intuitive mark-making, Matt shares insights into his creative process, his influences, and how his work explores form, space, and texture.

We chat about:
 🎨 His journey as an artist and how he developed his distinctive aesthetic.
 🪵 The relationship between his sculptural and two-dimensional works.
 ✍️ How drawing remains a fundamental part of his practice.
 🔨 His approach to materials—why he chooses certain textures, forms, and processes.
 🏡 The role of environment and studio space in shaping his work.
 🎭 The influence of history, mythology, and personal narratives in his practice.

Matt’s work often blurs the boundaries between sculpture and drawing, with a deep consideration for how form interacts with space. He speaks candidly about the challenges of maintaining an art practice, navigating the art world, and staying connected to the creative impulse.

📸 Instagram: @mattbromhead
🌐 Website: www.mattbromhead.com

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Art Wank Podcast – Oliver Abbott

Welcome back to Art Wank! In this episode, we chat with Sydney-based artist Oliver Abbott, whose latest exhibition, Mine, is currently showing at Dominik Mersch Gallery.

Oliver’s practice explores memory and its distortions, using digital world-building tools to reconstruct remembered spaces. His background in filmmaking, animation, and architecture feeds into his work, blending virtual environments with painting to create speculative spaces that sit between reality and imagination.

We discuss:
 🎨 How Oliver’s memories of lived spaces inform his work
 🖥️ The role of digital tools in his creative process
 🏛️ His transition from filmmaking to painting
 🖼️ The themes behind his Mine exhibition
👀 What’s next for his practice

Oliver’s work is a fascinating exploration of how we remember and reimagine spaces, and we loved hearing about his unique process.

Where to find Oliver’s work:
👉 Dominik Mersch Gallery
👉 Oliver’s website