Since its inception in 1993, the Dobell Prize for Drawing ¿ named in honour of the distinguished Australian artist William Dobell ¿ has been the preeminent award for drawing in Australia. This book celebrates 20 years of the prize and presents a view of contemporary Australian drawing through 40 works (winners and additional works selected for the collection from the exhibitions) by 30 artists ranging from traditional practice to works that push the boundaries of drawing. The prize has always promoted discussion and debate about the nature of drawing and rather than impose a set definition of `drawing¿, the appointed judge for each year determined what was selected. As the inaugural judge Arthur Boyd stated in 1993, `If the artist says it¿s a drawing, it¿s a drawing¿. The most enduring legacy of this acquisitive prize has been the formation of the Dobell Australian drawing collection at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, which now comprises over 40 works including the winners and additional works acquired from each of the annual exhibitions. The extraordinary breadth of contemporary Australian drawing represented in the collection is reflected in this publication.

Scotland-based Dr Janet McKenzie, long-term deputy editor of the renowned art journal Studio International, first published on Australian drawing with Macmillan back in 1986. Twenty-one years later she met Dr Irene Barberis, an Australian artist who was in the UK representing Metasenta, an international arts research organisation focused on drawing and based at Melbournes RMIT University. Dr Christopher Heathcote's contribution also focuses on the teaching of drawing in Australia. Janet McKenzie visited Australia in 2008 to update her research and exercise a global perspective on the current state of drawing in this country. Her book introduces works by 78 selected artists from across the country. They include prominent figures such as Peter Booth, Allan Mitelman, John Olsen, Mirka Mora, Mike Parr, Kevin Lincoln, Jenny Watson, Jan Senbergs and Wendy Stavrianos, among many others. Recognition of the importance of drawing has sometimes wavered in recent times, but most artists would agree that drawing, in whatever medium and however it is executed, is an essential process in the development of ideas leading to creative outcomes. Often, as art history suggests and this book demonstrates, drawing can be an art in and of itself. This timely account of the art of drawing in Australia is lavishly illustrated and will have wide appeal.

A rich survey of the work of more than forty still life artists, which presents the genre in a uniquely contemporary light. Still life painting is a practice that goes back centuries but has recently been reinvigorated by a new generation of contemporary artists. Still Life explores the diverse practices of more than forty contemporary artists and documents their styles, subjects, visions, and philosophies as they reinterpret this art form for our age. While flowers and food are mainstays of the genre, more anomalous objects—such as books and beer cans, birds and balloons—can be found within these pages, adding an energy and intrigue to both the composition and the story of the work. This book captures the inanimate beauty of the everyday in the twenty-first century, and offers a meditation on human experience as well as the brevity of life. Featuring interviews with each of the artists, this accessibly written book is as appealing to established artists as it is for artists who are just starting out. Quoting John Bokor, author Amber Creswell Bell shares that “A collection of objects—no matter how mundane—tells a story. They are like a little world; you can get lost in them.” As a survey of stunning work or as an inspirational volume for the budding artist, this book presents in full color the art of today’s most original artists.

Art is one of the tools we have to sculpt time and create experiences that are highly concentrated, or open and infinite. - Doug Aitken American artist Doug Aitken is internationally recognised for his ambitious practice that incorporates objects, installations, photographs and vast, multi-screen environments that envelop viewers within a kaleidoscope of moving imagery and sound. Aitken has realised museum projects around the world, as well as monumental interventions within the natural landscape and below the ocean's surface. This beautifully designed book encompasses the breadth of Aitken's artistic practice and is produced on the occasion of his survey at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Australia. Edited by chief curator Rachel Kent, it features a series of in-depth interviews that provide fascinating insights into Aitken's creative thinking and his wider engagement with the creative communities around him; and a series of image plates documenting his acclaimed museum works, landscape interventions and live happenings. Informative and visually compelling, it is sure to be a favourite among Aitken's collectors, as well as those interested in contemporary art.

Published to accompany the exhibition held at the Museum of Modern Art QNS, New York, 17 October 2002 - 6 January 2003.

Contemporary Australian painting.