Listen to Wendy Whiteley speak about key works in the exhibition ‘Brett Whiteley: Blue and White’.

Image: Brett Whiteley ‘Still life with meat’ 1975–76 (detail), Art Gallery of New South Wales © Wendy Whiteley / Copyright Agency

Brett Whiteley ‘The pink heron’

Madrid is every bit enchanting with its elegant boulevards, expansive parks, royal palaces and charming plazas. Located at the geographical heart of the Iberian Peninsula, the Spanish capital boasts magnificent art treasures in The Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofía museums. Join Brian Ladd as he explores the art and architecture of this sophisticated city and reveals why its history and culture make Madrid so fascinating and enchanting. 

Brian Ladd is past President of the Art Gallery Society of New South Wales, a specialist in European and Australian sculpture, and a graduate in sculpture from the National Art School, Sydney. From 1996 to 2010 he was Head of Public Programs Department, Art Gallery of New South Wales, and responsible for enlivening the Gallery and engaging diverse audiences with art.

Enchanting cities Madrid

Beauty of Nature - Nature in Chinese Art. Lecture presented by Jackie Menzies, Saturday 15 June 2024.

In this series, curator and academic Jackie Menzies will look at how nature is represented in Chinese, Korean and Japanese art and how natural materials are used in artistic practice in these cultures.


This lecture will discuss the landscapes of traditional Chinese ink painting, where nature is a refuge permeated by the cosmic qi (vital force), and the use of natural materials such as bamboo, jade and lacquer by Chinese artists. Learn more about bird-and-flower painting and the related symbolism of flowers and plants, including the ‘the four gentlemen’ – plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum – which represent humility, purity, righteousness and perseverance.

Jackie Menzies: Beauty of Nature - Nature in Chinese Art

Thea Anamara Perkins

Tessa MacKay

Sinead Davies

Shane Bowden

Samuel Rush Condon

Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran

Prudence Flint

Learning curve lecture series: Sublime - the pleasure of the overwhelming presented by Damian Freeman on 20.6.14

Jackie Menzies: Beauty of Nature - Nature in Chinese Art

Art Gallery of NSW

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