Art Wank

About Art Wank

Come along for the ride with curious artists Julie Nicholson, Fiona Verity and host Gary Seller, as they talk about their creative journey. Hear them interviewing artists, curators, gallery owners, teachers and creatives to guide them, and the listeners, within the arts community. Enjoy the banter whilst they navigate through all the Art W**k. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Fiona Verity, Julie Nicholson and Gary Seller

Category

arts · business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Mar 2020

Latest episode

29 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

270 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Sept 2026

   Episode 272 - From the Yellow House to the frontlines of Indigenous rights: Juno Gemes on a life behind the camera.

   Juno Gemes (https://www.instagram.com/junogemes_photo_/?hl=en) is a Hungarian-born Australian photographer, publisher, and social justice activist. Her photographs are held in major Australian collections, including the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery of Australia. Her work has played a significant role in documenting First Nations cultural strength, political activism, and contemporary Australian history. In this episode of Art Wank, we speak with acclaimed Australian photographer and activist Juno Gemes, whose work has documented the lives, culture, and political struggles of First Nations people for more than five decades. Born in Budapest and arriving in Australia as a child, Gemes began her creative life in theatre before turning to photography in the 1970s. Her images have become an invaluable visual record of key moments in Australia's history, including the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, land rights campaigns, the handback of Uluru, and the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. Known as a "quiet activist," Gemes discusses the role of photography as witness, collaboration, and social change. We explore her time with Sydney's legendary Yellow House artist collective, her approach to building trust with communities, and why visibility and representation have remained central to her practice. The conversation also touches on a life spent moving between photography, publishing, theatre, and activism, and reflects on the responsibilities artists have when documenting people, place, and history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   22 Sept 2026

   Episode 271 - Inside the studio of Paul Connor: art, process and persistence

   Paul Connor (https://www.paulconnorstudio.com/)is an Australian painter whose practice centres on landscape, observation and environmental engagement. Originally trained in architecture, he later completed a Master of Fine Art at the College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales, graduating with first-class honours. Connor has exhibited for more than three decades and is represented in collections throughout Australia and internationally. Known for his expressive interpretations of place, he continues to build upon the rich tradition of Australian landscape painting while addressing contemporary concerns about the environment and cultural connection to country. In this episode, we explore the work and career of Australian artist Paul Connor, (https://www.paulconnorstudio.com/)a painter whose practice is deeply rooted in the tradition of landscape painting while engaging with contemporary ideas about memory, place and environmental change. Drawing inspiration from direct observation, Connor's work captures both the physical reality and emotional resonance of the Australian landscape. His paintings often evolve from plein air studies, transforming observed scenes into layered compositions that reflect the way places are remembered and reimagined. Connor's background is unusual in that he initially studied architecture before completing a Master of Fine Art at the University of New South Wales. This combination of architectural thinking and painterly observation has influenced his approach to space, structure and composition. Throughout his career he has exhibited widely, with works held in public and private collections across Australia, Hong Kong and England, and displayed at the Australian Embassy in Beijing. The discussion also looks at Connor's significant contribution to Australian art through his role as founding director of the NSW Parliament Plein Air Painting Prize. The prize helped revive interest in outdoor painting and encouraged artists to engage directly with the landscape. Alongside his artistic practice, Connor has demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental conservation, serving as a trustee of both The Australian Museum and the Lizard Island Reef Research Station. We examine the evolution of his work from industrial and urban subjects to dramatic coastal environments, remote landscapes and ecological themes. Connor's paintings invite viewers to slow down and reconsider familiar places, revealing the complexity, beauty and fragility of the natural world. His achievements include being a finalist in major Australian art prizes such as the Glover Prize, Mosman Art Prize and Calleen Art Award, and winning the Pro Hart Outback Art Prize in 2024. Paul is represented by Defiance Gallery. (https://defiancegallery.com/artists/180-paul-connor/) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   15 Sept 2026

   Episode 270 - Kirtika Kain: Dalit Voices

   Kirtika Kain (https://www.kirtikakain.com/) is an Australian artist of Dalit heritage whose work explores identity, culture, migration, memory and belonging. Through her art and conversations, she brings personal and collective stories into the spotlight, creating space for voices and experiences that are often overlooked. Her work reflects the complexities of being Dalit, Australian and part of a diverse global community, while celebrating resilience, creativity and the power of storytelling. Kirtika Kain was born in New Delhi, India and now works on Darug Country, Sydney. Considerations of caste and identity underpin her materially driven practice, which seeks to reimagine personal and collective narratives. Kain’s work has been exhibited widely, both locally and internationally, with notable exhibitions including Adelaide Biennale, 2026; Kochi-Muziris Biennale, 2025; the 24th Biennale of Sydney, 2024; and the 13th Bamako Encounters at the African Biennale of Photography, Mali, 2022. Kirtika is represented by Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery (https://www.roslynoxley9.com.au/) in Sydney Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Who has been a guest on Art Wank

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Ana Pollak
• Renjie Teoh
• Gary Carsley
• John McDonald
• James Drinkwater

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.6 / 5

10 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

40 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 56 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

75

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

92

Contact Art Wank

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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  Australian Women Artists

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  The Creative Kind

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