Canberra

Tuesday 16 February 2027
THE ART OF FORGERY
Presented by Dr Lorraine Kypiotis
Venue & Time: National Library of Australia, 6pm

From the ancient Romans to contemporary works, the art world has seen its fair share of falsified work. Experts estimate that about 20 per cent of works in museums are fake and up to 40 per cent of all major works offered for sale are forgeries. Some forgeries are innocent enough, usually created by students copying a master, but others are created solely to fool an unsuspecting public. With forgers so good at what they do, it’s virtually impossible to tell the difference between the original and the copy. Many museums, investors and galleries have put millions into complete fakes.

Lorraine is passionate about art, education and history. She is the Undergraduate Coordinator at the National Art School in Sydney, where she lectures in Art History. She holds a PhD in Art History at the University of Sydney and an MA in Italian Renaissance Studies. Lorraine regularly gives lectures at the Art Gallery of NSW, for whom she also leads tours to Europe. Lorraine is also the resident art historian on ABC Nightlife.

Tuesday 9 March 2027
ART OF THE MUGHAL WORLD
Presented by Georgina Bexon
Venue & Time: National Library of Australia, 6pm.

The 16th to 18th centuries in India witnessed the golden artistic period of Mughal rule, marked by a unique flowering of art and architecture and unrivalled in luxury and opulence. These mighty emperors were patrons of skilled artists, architects, poets and calligraphers whose creativity produced breathtakingly beautiful artworks and monuments. From Mughal miniatures with their luminous colours to the exquisite design of imperial palaces and tombs, this talk considers the fusing of Persian, European, and indigenous Indian influences that produced this work. These rulers were astute politicians and the magnificence of the Mughal court served as a highly successful form of propaganda. 

Georgina is an art historian specialising in South Asian art who has lived and worked in the UK, USA, and Singapore. In addition to consulting at the Oriental Club in London and guiding at Tate Modern, Georgina presents at leading art institutions and international art conferences. Georgina has completed two MAs in Arts Management, and Art History and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and the Royal Asiatic Society.

Tuesday 18 May 2027
WILDE ABOUT OSCAR: Famous for Being Famous (and Infamous)
Presented by Simon Whitehouse
Venue & Time: National Library of Australia, 6pm.

This talk examines the life and times of Oscar Wilde from his Irish roots to his days as a student at Oxford and his meteoric rise to the heights of celebrity. Simon will travel with him to the United States and examine his starring role in the artistic and theatrical worlds of late 19th-century London. We visit his home in bohemian Chelsea and some of his favourite West End haunts. Finally, when Wilde was “tired of being on the heights, I deliberately went to the depths”, he became famous for being infamous … 

Simon is a (recovering) actor, lecturer, presenter, voice teacher and award-winning London Blue Badge guide. He has worked as an in-house guide at Shakespeare’s Globe, the Royal Opera House, the BBC and the National Gallery for both public and private tours. Simon is an adjunct professor for a number of US college study abroad programs teaching aspects of British history and culture.

 Wednesday 19 May 2027
SPECIAL INTEREST MORNING
Presented by Simon Whitehouse
Venue & Time: 10.00am, 25 Forster Crescent, Yarralumla
Cost: $65 members, $70 non-members

Lecture 1: Artistic and Literary Chelsea
This lecture explores the evolution of Chelsea from riverside fishing village into a bohemian literary and artistic enclave, a melting pot of theatre, gardens, museums and famous inhabitants over the centuries.

Lecture 2: Punch, Pineapples & Pygmalion: A Short History of Covent Garden
Simon traces the story of Covent Garden as the entertainment centre of London. He looks at the origins of two legendary theatres that gave birth to modern West End theatre as well as the stars who shaped the buildings and starred at the theatres: David Garrick, Richard Brinsley Sheridan and Augustus Harris. Simon also introduces the trailblazing women who took Covent Garden by storm including Nell Gwynne, Mrs Siddons and Adelina Patti. Street entertainment has played a vital part in keeping Covent Garden alive, and no matter how frequent fires, riots and financial ruin, the show MUST go on.

Simon is a (recovering) actor, lecturer, presenter, voice teacher and award-winning London Blue Badge guide. He has worked as an in-house guide at Shakespeare’s Globe, the Royal Opera House, the BBC and the National Gallery for both public and private tours. Simon is an adjunct professor for a number of US college study abroad programs teaching aspects of British history and culture.