Oasis

Jackson Pollock’s Blue Poles: Number 11, 1952 hangs in the National Gallery of Australia, courtesy of one of Australia’s most controversial Prime Ministers, Gough Whitlam.

It is breathtaking in real life.

And being able to wander down at any time into the NGA, and contemplate it, with none of the usual hustle and bustle that accompanies renowned paintings in the galleries of Europe or North America is a real privilege.

In a small town given over to the business of nation running (and the political sideshow which goes along with that) and which, architecturally, wants to preserve its status as a city/monument, life can be a little austere and cynical. It has been a slow, not altogether successful, process finding touchstones of culture, warmth and authenticity in this city. But the NGA, and Pollock’s gorgeous Blue Pols, is one.

Bloomin’

One grey afternoon, armed with some acrylics, brushes and some beautiful linen-like canvas paper…

Anna Emilia

Finnish artist Anna Emilia Laitinen resides in Iceland and creates these beautiful, tranquil, folk-influenced images of woods, seas, animals and people.

She’s also as obsessed with tea as I am.  Speaking of which, I’m off to get a cuppa.

You can see more of her work here and here.

Kitano-san

I came across Takeshi ‘Beat’ Kitano many years ago during a foreign film binge which lasted throughout most of my university years.  Then, I was blown away by Hana-bi (trans. fireworks), one of the many movies he has written, directed and starred in.  Aside from his work as a director, writer and actor, Kitano-san is a television personality and comedian in his native Japan.  And just because those things don’t seem to keep him sufficiently occupied, he also paints.

The Fondation Cartier in Paris is showcasing his painterly work until September 2010.

Images from here.