Guy Maestri's guest appearances

Guy Maestri

Artist Decoded by Yoshino

Talking with Painters

Ben Quilty

Michelle Groskopf

Tobias Schliessler

Aisha Schliessler

Jesse Draxler

Steve Kim

Virginie Picot

John Wentz

David Kassan

Eddie Bravo

Cory Allen

Matthew Ryan

Noah Lampert

Martin Wittfooth

Tunde Adebimpe

OwlTail

A riverbank in the Australian bush would be the perfect plein air location for many artists. A rushing stream, long tree trunks and a deep vista where the artist’s eye can gather information into the distance. But what is more fascinating for leading Australian artist Guido Maestri, is what the substance he is applying to the canvas is capable of doing in response. Ever since art school he has been exploring the materiality of paint, whether it’s an Archibald-winning painting, a non-descript laneway or a bird as roadkill, it’s this passion which drives the work whether it’s in the landscape or back in his Sydney studio. Although some might think of him as a portrait painter – he’s an Archibald Prize winner – his subject matter lies more in his expressive landscapes and breathtaking still life works. He’s also a sculptor and his various interpretations of the classic bust are captivating.  He has exhibited in over 25 solo shows to date and the Art Gallery of NSW has just announced the acquisition of his fabulous work ‘the rain song’ which was a finalist in last year’s Wynne Prize. After years of plein air painting, Guido’s studio work now plays a more significant role. The result is a growing body of outstanding works created through observation, imagination and a letting go of previous constraints. His show ‘short stories’, opening on 8 April at Yavuz Gallery in Sydney, is a testament to this way of painting.  We recorded this interview outside Mudgee in country NSW, near the banks of a river among the sounds of birds and the wind in the casuarina trees. Guido had planned a day’s painting after the interview and he set up a large canvas near the riverbank which he fixed to an easel to keep it stable. I was fortunate to film him setting up and painting that day and I’ve posted a video to the Talking with Painters Youtube channel of that work. After the interview we also had the opportunity to see the construction progress of the spectacular new regional Art Gallery in Mudgee which is almost completed. Guido was born in the town and spent the first few years of his life there. An exhibition of his current works will hang on its walls when it opens its doors to the public. That show is scheduled for August this year. To hear me talk with Guido about how he became an artist and his approach to painting, click on ‘play’ beneath the above feature photo or listen however you get your podcasts.  Scroll down to see the video of Guido starting a painting outside of Mudgee, NSW. Upcoming shows  Solo show ‘short stories’, Yavuz Gallery, 8 April – 1 May 2021 Solo show and inaugural exhibition of the Mid-Western Regional Arts and Cultural centre, Mudgee, scheduled for August 2021  Links to things we talked about in the podcast  Guido Maestri Guido Maestri at Yavuz Gallery Guido Maestri at Jan Murphy Gallery  Guido Maestri at Sophie Gannon Gallery James Drinkwater Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu Jennifer Byrne Jude Rae Luke Sciberras David Griggs Neo Rauch Sally Anderson   https://youtu.be/P-MXZ5g98Zs   ‘The rain song’, 2020, oil on linen, 198 x 244cmFinalist, Wynne Prize, 2020Collection: Art Gallery of NSW, purchased with funds provided by the Art Gallery of NSW Society.Photo: AGNSW website ‘neo’s tree’, 2021, oil on linen, 168 x 138cmPhoto courtesy of the artist ‘LL 16’ 2020, oil on linen, 168 x 138cmFrom the exhibition ‘the lane’ with Jan Murphy Gallery, 2020Photo courtesy of the artist ‘Wreck No 21’, 2016, oil on linen, 51 x 61cmPhoto courtesy of the artist Feral no. 13′, 2015, oil on linen 61 x 71cmPhoto courtesy of the artist  ‘Shattered (Griggs)’, 2016, oil on linen, 71.5 x 81.5cmFinalist Archibald Prize 2016Photo: Art Gallery of NSW website  ‘JB reading’, 2020, oil on linen, 43.5 x 43.5cmFinalist 2020 Archibald PrizePhoto: Art Gallery of NSW website  ‘Dr Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu’, 2009, oil on linen, 203 x 172.4cmWinner Archibald Prize 2009, Art Gallery of NSWCollection: National Portrait Gallery, Australia ‘Self -portrait (for posterity)’, resin, 64 x 40 x 25cmFinalist Wynne Prize 2017Photo: Art Gallery of NSW website ‘Facsimile (colour therapy), no. 1’, 2018, unique painted bronze and concrete, 50 x 22 x 20cm, Edition of 4Photo courtesy of the artist  ‘North from Luke’s lane 3’, 2013Photo courtesy of the artist

<h4>A riverbank in the Australian bush would be the perfect plein air location for many artists. A rushing stream, long tree trunks and a deep vista where the artist’s eye can gather information into the distance. But what is more fascinating for leading Australian artist Guido Maestri, is what the substance he is applying to the canvas is capable of doing in response. </h4> Ever since art school he has been exploring the materiality of paint, whether it’s an Archibald-winning painting, a non-descript laneway or a bird as roadkill, it’s this passion which drives the work whether it’s in the landscape or back in his Sydney studio. Although some might think of him as a portrait painter – he’s an Archibald Prize winner – his subject matter lies more in his expressive landscapes and breathtaking still life works. He’s also a sculptor and his various interpretations of the classic bust are captivating. He has exhibited in over 25 solo shows to date and the Art Gallery of NSW has just announced the acquisition of his fabulous work ‘the rain song’ which was a finalist in last year’s Wynne Prize. After years of plein air painting, Guido’s studio work now plays a more significant role. The result is a growing body of outstanding works created through observation, imagination and a letting go of previous constraints. His show ‘short stories’, opening on 8 April at Yavuz Gallery in Sydney, is a testament to this way of painting. We recorded this interview outside Mudgee in country NSW, near the banks of a river among the sounds of birds and the wind in the casuarina trees. Guido had planned a day’s painting after the interview and he set up a large canvas near the riverbank which he fixed to an easel to keep it stable. I was fortunate to film him setting up and painting that day and I’ve posted a video to the <a href="https://youtu.be/P-MXZ5g98Zs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Talking with Painters Youtube channel</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrThrSazf3NYKK4ybC8CTjw?view_as=subscriber" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> </a>of that work. After the interview we also had the opportunity to see the construction progress of the spectacular new regional Art Gallery in Mudgee which is almost completed. Guido was born in the town and spent the first few years of his life there. An exhibition of his current works will hang on its walls when it opens its doors to the public. That show is scheduled for August this year. To hear me talk with Guido about how he became an artist and his approach to painting, click on ‘play’ beneath the above feature photo or listen however you get your podcasts. Scroll down to see the video of Guido starting a painting outside of Mudgee, NSW. <h4>Upcoming shows</h4> <ul> <li>Solo show ‘short stories’, <a href="https://yavuzgallery.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Yavuz Gallery,</a> 8 April – 1 May 2021</li> <li>Solo show and inaugural exhibition of the<a href="https://yoursay.midwestern.nsw.gov.au/mid-western-regional-arts-and-cultural-centre?tool=qanda" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Mid-Western Regional Arts and Cultural centre</a>, Mudgee, scheduled for August 2021</li> </ul> <h4>Links to things we talked about in the podcast</h4> <ul> <li><a href="http://guymaestri.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Guido Maestri</a></li> <li><a href="https://yavuzgallery.com/artists/guy-maestri/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Guido Maestri at Yavuz Gallery</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.janmurphygallery.com.au/artist/guy-maestri/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Guido Maestri at Jan Murphy Gallery </a></li> <li><a href="https://sophiegannongallery.com.au/artists/guy-maestri" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Guido Maestri at Sophie Gannon Gallery</a></li> <li><a href="https://talkingwithpainters.com/2017/08/21/ep-29-james-drinkwater/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">James Drinkwater</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Gurrumul_Yunupingu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Byrne" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jennifer Byrne</a></li> <li><a href="https://talkingwithpainters.com/2020/09/21/ep-97-jude-rae-and-424-428/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jude Rae</a></li> <li><a href="https://talkingwithpainters.com/2019/02/24/ep-64-luke-sciberras/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Luke Sciberras</a></li> <li><a href="https://talkingwithpainters.com/2020/02/02/ep-84-david-griggs/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">David Griggs</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Rauch" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Neo Rauch</a></li> <li><a href="http://sallyleeanderson.net" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sally Anderson </a></li> </ul> <a href="https://youtu.be/P-MXZ5g98Zs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/P-MXZ5g98Zs</a> ‘The rain song’, 2020, oil on linen, 198 x 244cm Finalist, Wynne Prize, 2020 Collection: Art Gallery of NSW, purchased with funds provided by the Art Gallery of NSW Society. Photo: AGNSW website ‘neo’s tree’, 2021, oil on linen, 168 x 138cm Photo courtesy of the artist ‘LL 16’ 2020, oil on linen, 168 x 138cm From the exhibition ‘the lane’ with Jan Murphy Gallery, 2020 Photo courtesy of the artist ‘Wreck No 21’, 2016, oil on linen, 51 x 61cm Photo courtesy of the artist Feral no. 13′, 2015, oil on linen 61 x 71cm Photo courtesy of the artist ‘Shattered (Griggs)’, 2016, oil on linen, 71.5 x 81.5cm Finalist Archibald Prize 2016 Photo: Art Gallery of NSW website ‘JB reading’, 2020, oil on linen, 43.5 x 43.5cm Finalist 2020 Archibald Prize Photo: Art Gallery of NSW website ‘Dr Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu’, 2009, oil on linen, 203 x 172.4cm Winner Archibald Prize 2009, Art Gallery of NSW Collection: National Portrait Gallery, Australia ‘Self -portrait (for posterity)’, resin, 64 x 40 x 25cm Finalist Wynne Prize 2017 Photo: Art Gallery of NSW website ‘Facsimile (colour therapy), no. 1’, 2018, unique painted bronze and concrete, 50 x 22 x 20cm, Edition of 4 Photo courtesy of the artist ‘North from Luke’s lane 3’, 2013 Photo courtesy of the artist

Ep 108: Guido Maestri

Winning the Archibald Prize as Guy Maestri did in 2009 would be a defining moment in most artist’s careers, but he is quick to cite physical immersion in the landscape as revolutionary to his painting practice. It’s easy to gloss over the history of plein-air as a European tradition, born of gentle grasses and mild sunlight. Practiced in Australia, away from the slip of green coastline, plein-air demands rigor of vast dimensions. For Maestri, the material and temporal challenges of extended painting sessions in the hard country around Hill End, Wilcannia and Broken Hill has been instrumental in a new understanding of local art histories and ecologies, as well as the atmospheric and elemental qualities of landscape. Beholden to intimacies of place, the artist stakes out a subtle void or stillness in these dry landscapes without surrendering his animated, almost kinetic approach to paint. Masquerading as a shady retreat, the studio retains its disciplinarian attitude but demands a different kind of focus. Here the void is more theatrical, Maestri’s compositions orchestrated with operatic tempo. Desiccated road-kill (the anti-trophy of inland highways) perform as contemporary Gothic vanitas, shot through with equal measure of beauty and pathos, the eye and the heart facing off. A graduate of the National Art School, Maestri won the 2014 Kings School Art Prize and the 2013 Premier’s Plein Air Painting Prize. He is a regular finalist in the Wynne Prize for Landscape at the Art Gallery of NSW and his work is held in several public collections, including the National Portrait Gallery and Parliament House collections. Topics Discussed In This Episode:  His experience studying at The National Art School in Sydney Education in the arts Exploring mediums within your artistic practice How his work has evolved over the years His paintings of road kill Discussing self portraiture How he began experimenting with sculptures His process creating his sculptures Morbid curiosities Wes Anderson  www.artistdecoded.com

Winning the Archibald Prize as Guy Maestri did in 2009 would be a defining moment in most artist’s careers, but he is quick to cite physical immersion in the landscape as revolutionary to his painting practice. It’s easy to gloss over the history of plein-air as a European tradition, born of gentle grasses and mild sunlight. Practiced in Australia, away from the slip of green coastline, plein-air demands rigor of vast dimensions. For Maestri, the material and temporal challenges of extended painting sessions in the hard country around Hill End, Wilcannia and Broken Hill has been instrumental in a new understanding of local art histories and ecologies, as well as the atmospheric and elemental qualities of landscape. Beholden to intimacies of place, the artist stakes out a subtle void or stillness in these dry landscapes without surrendering his animated, almost kinetic approach to paint. Masquerading as a shady retreat, the studio retains its disciplinarian attitude but demands a different kind of focus. Here the void is more theatrical, Maestri’s compositions orchestrated with operatic tempo. Desiccated road-kill (the anti-trophy of inland highways) perform as contemporary Gothic vanitas, shot through with equal measure of beauty and pathos, the eye and the heart facing off. A graduate of the National Art School, Maestri won the 2014 Kings School Art Prize and the 2013 Premier’s Plein Air Painting Prize. He is a regular finalist in the Wynne Prize for Landscape at the Art Gallery of NSW and his work is held in several public collections, including the National Portrait Gallery and Parliament House collections. Topics Discussed In This Episode: <ul> <li>His experience studying at The National Art School in Sydney</li> <li>Education in the arts</li> <li>Exploring mediums within your artistic practice</li> <li>How his work has evolved over the years</li> <li>His paintings of road kill</li> <li>Discussing self portraiture</li> <li>How he began experimenting with sculptures</li> <li>His process creating his sculptures</li> <li>Morbid curiosities</li> <li>Wes Anderson</li> </ul> <a href="http://www.artistdecoded.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.artistdecoded.com</a>

Morbid Curiosities + Exploring Mediums with Guy Maestri | AD 81