Degenerates and Perverts: The 1939 Herald Exhibition on Modern Art
2026-04-11 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-13 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-04-15 19:30 - 20:30, 2026-04-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-23 12:30 - 13:30, 2026-04-23 18:00 - 19:00 (Australia/Sydney)
In 1939 an exhibition of art came to Australia which became legendary. The 1939 Herald Exhibition of French and British Contemporary Art has been called the single most enlivening event in Australia’s modern cultural development. Opening when Australia was undergoing profound change, not only in art but also socially, this exhibition became the focus for the opposing forces of cultural conservatism and innovation which marked the time. This lecture will examine the many and competing claims made for this exhibition. It will examine how the show was organised and selected, where and how it was displayed in Australia and what reception it received. Finally, it will attempt to evaluate its impact upon Australian art and society, at a time when conservatives were accused of perverting progress and progressives were accused of degeneracy.
Dates and Locations
Saturday 11 April 2026 Gold Coast (QLD)
Wednesday 15 April 2026 Brisbane (QLD)
Thursday 16 April 2026 Brisbane (QLD)
Monday 13th April 2026 Northern Rivers (NSW)
Thursday 23rd April 2026 Sydney (NSW)
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Paddington: The Arts Hub
2026-04-12 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-15 18:00 - 19:00
Paddington is possibly Australia’s most loved suburb. It is renowned as an almost intact nineteenth-century precinct. Once shabby and down at heel, by the 1960s it was Sydney’s ‘arts hubs’. How and why did this happen? What makes Paddington so loved by our creatives? How did the galleries start up? By the 1970s the suburb was brimming with artists, writers, musicians, designers, journos and film-makers. We walk by Margaret Olley’s object-strewn studio. We see Paddington inspired textiles and wallpapers. We pass entertainer Jeanne Little and decorator husband Barrie in Paddington St. We look through the window at the antique shops, florists and interior designers of the ‘80s and ‘90s. Lunch at Lucio’s is included (but only via imagery).
Dates and Locations
Sunday 12 April 2026 Cairns (QLD)
Wednesday 15 April 2026 Toowoomba (QLD)
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Sydney In Lockdown
2026-04-13 18:30 - 19:30
Art history is replete with portraits of the good and the great, vistas of great landscapes and stories of great heroism, sometimes true, sometimes imagined. In our own time the story of Australia’s most populous City without people over a two-year period is told by photographer John Swainston in a series of images that start in the country town of Bowral and explore the great buildings of Sydney without people. As the story progresses, we learn of those who worked through, some who survived in business, some who did not. The visual record of the greatest pandemic of the modern age, as well as the return to more normal life, as seen through the eyes of a single photographer, stands unique across the country. There are less than a handful of remaining images from Australia’s previous pandemic of 1918-1920. Here is an extensive series of defining architectural images and striking portraits in our own time, reinforcing the importance of documentary record in an age of otherwise mass voyeurism without considered reflection.
Dates and Locations
Monday 13 April 2026 Murray River (NSW/VIC)
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What Happened To Shakespere's Plays When Women Took The Stage
2026-04-14 18:00 - 19:00
When Charles II returned from exile in 1660, he reopened London’s theatres after 18 years of Puritan bans. For the first time, women could act on stage, and Shakespeare’s plays were reshaped with French spectacle and style. Some changes were bizarre, others brilliant, but all transformed how audiences saw his work. This lecture, with vivid images, explores how those bold 17th-century experiments influenced Shakespearean drama for centuries.
Dates and Locations
Tuesday 14 April 2026 Hunter (NSW)
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Art Crimes and Heists
2026-04-14 18:00 - 19:00
The lecture will be addressing some of the world’s greatest art crimes and heists in history. Leigh will delve into the murky world of fakes and forgeries, using his comprehensive, personal experience as both an auction assistant some of Australia’s most reputable Fine Art auction rooms, and as a successful secondary market art dealer, to expose the deceit, immorality & dark secrets of the art industry; from the Crown to the underground, in Australia & abroad!
Dates and Locations
Tuesday 14 April 2026 Launceston (TAS)
Monday 1 June 2026 Mudgee (NSW)
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Travelling The Continent: The Grand Tour in the 18th Century
2026-04-15 10:30 - 11:30
The grand tour was undertaken by many young English aristocrats, focusing on classical education but leading also into different styles of country house decoration and art.
Dates and Locations
Wednesday 15 April 2026 Geelong (VIC)
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Artists In The South Seas
2026-04-15 18:00 - 19:00
Unrecognised during his lifetime, Paul Gauguin developed his unique style in French Polynesia. Henri Matisse’s Tahitian sojourn, provided the source for his Oceania series. Many early explorer ships such as Captain Cook’s ‘Endeavour’ carried artists who gave the world unique scenes of their contact with indigenous peoples.
Dates and Location
Wednesday 15 April 2026 Tamworth (NSW)
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M C Escher: Master of Illusion
2026-04-15 18:00 - 19:00
The work of Mauritis Cornellis Escher has long fascinated the viewer due to its optical illusions. We will see that his work was increasingly inspired by mathematics. Ann Harbers is an independent art historian and lecturer focusing on European and Australian artists. Her current research delves into 17th century Dutch art, and European Art and Decorative Arts. She has published works on collecting, art and science, and lectured widely in Australia, Europe and the USA.
Dates and Locations
Wednesday 15 April 2026 Geelong (VIC)
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On Tour With The Queen: Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand
2026-04-16 14:00 - 15:00
Pieter was the cinematographer for this delightful BBC series, and in this presentation, he’ll be screening and discussing various segments. The documentary aimed to emulate Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip’s extensive 1953/54 Coronation Tour of the Commonwealth. It blended gorgeous archival films with contemporary footage to create a nostalgic time-capsule of that tour.
Dates and Locations
Thursday 16 April 2026 Molonglo Plains (NSW/ACT)
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Picture This! Australian New Wave Films of the 1970
2026-04-16 18:00 - 19:00
Film production took off in Australia in the 1970s, a period that came to be known as the Australian New Wave. Meet Australia’s greatest living playwright and discover some of the stars in award-winning movies made during this exciting period of cinematic renaissance.
Dates and Locations
Thursday 16 April 2026 Armidale (NSW)
Monday 15 June 2026 Newcastle (NSW)
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Silk Silver Opium
2026-04-16 18:30 - 19:30
Delve into the dramatic story of China’s trade with the West in Silk Sliver Opium with historian and author Michael Pembroke. From silk, silver, and tea to opium, missionaries, and war, this lecture reveals how centuries of commerce, conflict, and cultural exchange shaped China’s modern identity. Learn why these historical interactions continue to influence China’s relationship with the West and offer important insights for today’s global politics.
Dates and Locations
Thursday 16 April 2026 Shoalhaven (NSW)
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The Space Shuttle: A Butterfly on a Rocket
2026-04-17 10:00 - 12:30
This presentation traces NASA’s Space Shuttle program from its ambitious start to its final missions. Through Pieter’s 12-week film shoot at Cape Canaveral and
Mission Control in Houston, this documentary offers exclusive footage from unprecedented access to the Space Shuttle, Endeavour—a privilege never
before granted. Pieter will share behind-the-scenes stories and delve into the missions and the individuals who made the Space Shuttle program a defining chapter in space exploration.
Dates and Locations
Monday 13 April 2026 Newcastle (NSW)
Friday 17 April 2026 Molonglo Plains (NSW / ACT)
Sunday 14 June 2026 Northern Rivers (NSW)
Wednesday 17 June 2026 Brisbane (QLD)
Thursday 18 June 2026 Brisbane (QLD)
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Dogs In Art
2026-04-18 10:00 - 23:00, 2026-04-27 18:00 - 19:00
Steven Miller has published widely on art and his popular ‘Dogs in Australian Art’ is now into its third expanded edition. From colonial works through to contemporary installations, in this lecture he will show how dogs have truly been ‘the best friend’ to artists, not only as subjects, but also as companions and champions. As the artist Norman Lindsay confided to the poet Hugh MacRae, ‘one can lose most human beings with less disturbance than a dog’.
Dates and Locations
Saturday 18 April Rockhampton (QLD)
Monday 27 April Coffs Coast (NSW)
Friday 5 June 2026 Blue Mountains (NSW)
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From Carnival To Masquerade: Fashion And Fancy Dress
2026-04-18 16:00 - 17:00
One of the most popular pastimes in the Victorian and Edwardian period was the costume ball. They continued the 18th century obsession with the masquerade, at which both costumes and masks were worn. They were popular with all classes, but for the rich, they offered the chance to really flaunt wealth without limit. The scandal caused by the opulence of the Bradley-Martin Ball of 1897 led to the host fleeing abroad. This talk will consider their enduring role in art and culture. Dresses, jewels and even food will be considered.
Dates and Locations
Saturday 18 April 2026 Noosa (QLD)
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Dressing Sydney: The Jewish Fashion Story
2026-04-19 15:00 - 16:00
Thousands of Jewish migrants fled Nazism and many arrived in Australia in the 1930s and ‘40s. A large number proceeded to work in the clothing and appearance industries, also known as the
‘rag trade’. The focus is Sydney and the subplot is ‘Dressing Sydney: The Jewish Fashion Story’. Learn how a whole working-class district – Surry Hills – was remade between the wars, then transformed again in the 1980s as our economy was restructured.
Dates and Locations
Sunday 19 April Sunshine Coast (QLD)
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The Earth Above: A Deep Time View of Australia's Epic History
2026-04-22 10:00 - 11:00
The vast age of our planet and the enormous transformations it has undergone can be difficult to grasp. This lecture explores the creative journey behind The Earth Above: A Deep Time View of Australia’s Epic History, a unique and immersive planetarium show that bridges this gap. We will examine the innovative production model, a “collective storytelling practice” that moved away from a single director’s vision. We’ll delve into how a collective of Indigenous knowledge holders, artists and researchers collaborated to bring these ancient stories to the screen. The lecture will examine the creative processes through which Indigenous and Western scientific knowledge were woven together, creating a tapestry of sound and vision.
Dates and Locations
Wednesday 22 April 2026 Adelaide (SA)
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New Visions: Paris And Impressionism
2026-05-01 13:30 - 15:00, 2026-05-04 18:00 - 19:00
During Napoleon III’s reign (1852-1870), the Paris landscape was transformed by the construction of wide boulevards, elegant buildings and parks. Theatres, cafes and entertainment venues flourished, offering spaces for sociability and artistic exchange and inspiring impressionist artists keen to capture the fleeting sensations of the modern capital. This lecture will examine works by Manet, Renoir and Caillebotte to discover how their radical techniques reflect the attractions and complexities of modern Parisian society.
Dates and Locations
Friday 1 May 2026 Blue Mountains (NSW)
Monday 4 May 2026 Mudgee (NSW)
Monday 11 May 2026 Narrabri (NSW)
Tuesday 19 May 2026 Hunter (NSW)
Monday 25 May 2026 Coffs Coast (NSW)
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From Cairo To Venice To Paris: The Journey of Enamelled and Gilded Glass
2026-05-02 14:00 - 15:30
In the 13th–14th centuries, Syrian and Egptian glassmakers ymastered works decorated with enamels and gold, influencing Venetian glass, which peaked in the 15th–16th centuries. In the 19th century, renewed interest in this enamelled and gilded glass led to the original Islamic works becoming sought-after collectibles on the French art market.
Dates and Locations
Saturday 2 May 2026 Perth (WA)
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The Arts and Crafts of Kashmir
2026-05-06
For many people, Kashmir conjures up a beautiful valley surrounded by the snow capped peaks of the Himalayas, for others it is a land of conflict. But what is less well known is that it has been of historic artistic importance for nearly 2000 years. This lecture introduces the astonishing diversity of arts and crafts produced in this tiny area, influenced by Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic cultures. It explores Buddhist sculptures, Hindu temples, great Islamic gardens, paintings, calligraphy, Moghul carpets and Kashmir shawls. Despite its troubled history, Kashmir has fostered a unique environment of artistic diversity and religious co-existence.
Dates and Locations
Wednesday 6 May 2026 Chatswood (NSW)
Sunday 10 May 2026 Cairns (QLD)
Wednesday 13 May 2026 Geelong (VIC)
Wednesday 27 May 2026 Adelaide (SA)
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Mary Cassatt: Painting In Paris
2026-05-06 18:00 - 19:30
Mary Cassatt (1844–1926) was the only American to exhibit with the French Impressionists. Encouraged by Degas to exhibit with them, she remarked, “I accepted with joy… I hated conventional art.” Cassatt made significant contributions to four of the eight shows. However, the subjects deemed suitable for a “respectable” woman were limited. We will consider how, despite this setback, Cassatt reimagined her subjects in unconventional, thought-provoking ways. We will investigate her distinctive paintings and prints to see how Cassatt navigated the male-dominated art world, to produce avant-garde works that offer a singular, insightful perspective on 19th-century French society.
Dates and Locations
Wednesday 6 May 2026 Orange (NSW)

Constantin Brancusi and 20th Century Scuplture
2026-05-07
Brancusi was the son of a peasant from a mountainous province of Romania, yet he became an internationally famous artist and is now seen as one of, if not the, most important sculptors of the 20th century. How did this happen and what is so special about his work? Brancusi combined the Romanian wood working tradition with a Belles Arts fine art training. He also had an intuitive understanding of the significance of engineered products. A great friend of the inventor of Conceptual art, Marcel Duchamp, Brancusi is an enigmatic contradiction, and this will be explored in this lecture, along with his relevance to 20th century sculpture.
Dates and Locations
Thursday 7 May 2026 Yarra (VIC)
Monday 11 May 2026 Hobart (TAS)
Wednesday 20 May 2026 Brisbane (QLD)
Thursday 21 May 2026 Brisbane (QLD)
Saturday 23 May 2026 Noosa (QLD)
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The Artist And His Model: Whistler And Joana Hiffernan
2026-05-07 18:30 - 19:30
Whistler’s painting, Symphony in White, No. 1: The White Girl (1862) is both monumental and modern. Though its scale recalls grand portraits, Whistler’s innovative technique and overall treatment of the subject resist straightforward interpretation. In this presentation we will examine Joanna Hiffernan’s role in his art and life. Was she simply his model and lover? Or could she have been an essential collaborator who influenced Whistler’s artistic vision, assisting him in his development of a new pictorial language? This talk draws on themes in the Royal Academy’s exhibition in 2022, Whistler’s Woman in White: Joanna Hiffernan (26 February-22 May 2022).
Dates and Locations
Thursday 7 May 2026 Shoalhaven (NSW)
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