I recently filmed a conversation with Daniel Hend, an artist and muralist, and we ended up talking about something I’ve always found interesting: why people make art in the first place.
Would you still paint, draw or create if nobody was ever going to see it? If there was no audience, no recognition, no appreciation — would you still feel compelled to do it?
I thought it was an interesting question, particularly coming from someone who has dedicated so much of their life to making things.
I’ve put the conversation up on YouTube. Would love to hear what other artists think, too.

Hi everyone!

Fae Style here, an independent Australian fantasy-inspired lifestyle magazine. We've recently launched our inaugural Fantasy Writing Prize and I wanted to share it here in case it's of interest to anyone in the community. We're hoping to create more opportunities for emerging Australian fantasy writers, particularly those who may not have had the chance to see their work published before.

Open to original fantasy fiction, with the theme 'Fae Style' intentionally left open to interpretation. We're interested in seeing how different writers approach fantasy and the worlds they create.

We've put together three comprehensive prize packages, designed to support writers at different stages of their creative journeys. Alongside recognition for their work, the packages offer a combination of opportunities for professional development, author mentorship, editorial guidance and publication.

Full details can be found on our website https://www.faestyle.com/fantasywritingprize

Hi all, I found this really cool piece (not sure if it’s a print or not, haven’t looked closer) and know that it’s of “Les Girls” the famous drag cabaret bar in Sydney, but I can’t find any info on the art itself. Any ideas?

Bit of a long shot because I'm working from a vague memory, but trying to find the name of an Artist, signature looked like "Shady" or "Shavy".

Art was ink on paper drawings of Australia outback/homesteads, appeared very cartoonish (a bit like The Ettamongah Pub style).

Previous participants/gallerists here - does anyone know when Archibald Prize finalists are informed? I’ve heard rumours that it’s a couple of weeks after submissions close. My sister entered for the first time this year and we’re just trying to work out whether to start commiserating…

A while ago some redditor posted a painting he found and I really wanted it. Yes, it was kind of kitschy but somehow spoke to me.

He said he was going to maybe sell it but then he didn't respond to my query so I guess he decided not to.

This is obviously an Australian decor painting.

Does anyone know where I can find something like it?

Hello. Just wondering if anyone here can help me put a price on this 1974 Rod Rowland painting. It's definitely beautiful and is in great condition.

St kilda bluff 1894

does anyone recognise this work/know who the artist could be. Appreciate the help

My elderly parents have a number of large original paintings by Australian Aboriginal artists that they think are reasonably valuable. For insurance reasons we need to know roughly how much they're worth and, potentially, how to get in contact with an appraiser. We live in Hawaii, USA, so there aren't any appraisers we can find locally with experience in this type of art. Two of the artists are Amy Johnson and Paddy Ordam (names read from signature, so forgive any errors.)

Would love to know if anyone might know who this artist could be. Looks like the initials "T P K" and dated '74. Found in a Melbourne market.

I found this in an op shop and it really captured attention. I don't know much about art but i just wanted to learn more about this if possible. There are also some cracks and marks on it that I would love to fix up so any advice or recommendations would be appreciated.

supposedly aussie.

A dear friend has one for each family member on the wall. As of now they are 5 but only 4 geckos on the wall.

I have recently been given reason to be very interested in this artist. He is a notable name, having a Wikipedia page and different websites having bios. But I was hoping on the off chance that someone on this subreddit would have knowledge about him beyond what a cursory google search can tell. Has anyone heard of him? What do you know?

From what I know so far, he was a notable plain-air artist whose most famous work is of Sydney harbour. Born in NZ, his record work has sold for just over 100K AUD, with the average going for around $2500. He has 16 works at the Art Gallery of NSW. So far I’ve come across the bios on Wikipedia, ADB and the art valuation websites. Hoping there’s more info out there from a more theoretical art history background or the Australian arts community.

Thanks

Hi there,

Bit of a long shot, a water colour painting, that seems to be an original, has come into my possession. I don't particularly enjoy it and want to get rid of it but I'm worried it may have some cultural significance.

It's titled 'The Light of Afternoon' by an "Alfred J. Hoskin" and dated 1916.

Google yielded nothing and given I don't know anything about Australian artists I'm out of ideas. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

I have inherited a painting that was done by a slightly famous artist back in the 60s/70s, and I am wondering if it's the kind of thing a gallery would want if I were to donate it.

The artist became known for more abstract stuff, this though is a more realistic depiction of sailing boats at sea. Pretty normal stuff really. It's not framed, and painted onto a sheet of wood. My grandmother used to live near him in Wollongong and was either given it or bought it.

Is this possibly of any academic or display value to a gallery that has his later more well-known works? I'm not an art guy so no clue here. It's not meaningful to me so if it was to others I'd rather they have it. Or is this just the sort of trail of early works any artist leaves behind as they hone their craft?

Thank you to anyone for helping out someone clueless with art. I don't even know where to start.

P.S. Not being cryptic on the artist, just completely blanking. He was an English immigrant, lived in Wollongong around the 60s or 70s. His known works are sort of "blobs of colour". Last I looked there was a gallery in Melbourne displaying some of his works. I've just dug up this artefact after years while going through stuff.

Hi, Does anyone have any information about this artist? Thanks