In the last 15 years he has shot to prominence not just as an artist – although he’s won the Archibald Prize, Doug Moran National Portrait Prize and the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship – but as an observer and commentator on social and political issues which concern us all.

Whether it’s issues faced by our indigenous communities, our involvement in wars on foreign soil, and their consequences, or the cruelty of the death penalty imposed on Myuran Sukamaran and on Andrew Chan and Quilty’s campaign to save their lives, he pours maximum energy in highlighting the inequities and injustices in our world through his actions, words and art. His belief that art can instigate positive change is inspiring.

The excellent survey show ‘Quilty’ has just landed in Sydney – via Adelaide and Brisbane – and the Art Gallery of NSW is the perfect venue for it given Quilty’s HSC major work was hung there in 1991 as part of Art Express and 20 years later he won the gallery’s Archibald Prize. He has since become a trustee of the Art Gallery. The exhibition is free and includes works over a 15 year period.

The next podcast episode is with Lisa Slade, the curator of the exhibition and close friend of Quilty, who gives an interesting perspective from a curator’s point of view. That episode will be online in a few weeks.

To hear the podcast interview click on ‘play’ beneath the above feature photo.

Above feature photo:: AGNSW/ Mim Stirling