A beautiful curation of 110 commissioned essays and images over 10 years of exhibitions, this full-colour, hardcover 536 page book offers a rich overview of 36 different award-winning FLG artists' careers. $88 GST inclusive.
Copies of the book are available for purchase at:
FLG, Level 1, The Nicholas Building, 37 Swanston Street, Melbourne
You may call us on 0396543332 and order or email and we can send you an invoice.
Readings, 309 Lygon St, Carlton
Metropolis Bookshop, Curtin House, Level 3/252 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Mary Martin Bookstore, at Queen Vic Markets, Stringbean Alley
Benn's Books. 437 Centre Road, Bentleigh, VIC, 3204
Australian Art Gallery Guide Bookstore
It is also available to peruse at the State Library of Victoria.
LIST OF CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Professor James Arvanitakis, Elizabeth Bodey, Kate Britton, Marguerite Brown, Melanie Caple, Owen Craven, Sophie Cunningham, Steve Dow, Briony Downes, Anna Dunnill, Michael Fitzgerald, Andrew Gaynor, Katy Greenland, Simon Gregg, Dr Sasha Grishin, Andrew Harper, Dr Christopher Heathcote, Joey Hespe, Tess Horwitz, Elin Howe, Dr Ryan Jefferies, Laura Kirkham, Abbra Kotlarczyk, Kate Larsen, Phe Luxford, Sita McAlpine, Kate McAuley, Tony Magnusson, Dr Jacqueline Millner, Gina Mobayed, Emma O'Neill, Andrew Stephens, Wendy Walker, Elli Walsh, Sharne Wolff
TESTIMONIALS
"As CBD residents being able to drop regularly by Flinders Lane Gallery is a privilege and reading the "Little Art Essays" was like meeting friends old and new. There's Will Breen, who we've been following for 20 years, with his stunning images of Melbourne city spaces, or the broad colour swathes of Leah Thiessen's landscapes we only discovered recently. And then there's the scintillating catalogue essays. What a glorious celebration of art in all its diversity - food for the mind and spirit. Thank you! " Peter Sherlock
"Thank you so much for the absolutely stunning BIG “Little Art Essays”. What a huge effort to put such a magnificent book together. Really very impressive and fabulous content. It was awaiting us on our return from Antartica and was a wonderful surprise. It is sitting in prime spot right now as I flick through it." Martin Hosking
"It was such a treat to receive this luxurious book tracing the evolution of the gallery's many talented artists. It is a wonderful record of the work of a number of my favourite artists and an appreciated introduction to many others. " Marita Foley"The Big Book of little art essays is a wonderful window to the lives and motivations of the many amazing artists that have exhibited at the iconic Melbourne gallery Flinders Lane Gallery. I love to take the book and read what inspired and drove each artist to create the paintings or sculptures that formed a particular exhibition or their entire body of work. This book will stay on the coffee table of my living room for years to come; and it is a must have for any Melbourne art lover and collector." Andrew Pethebridge, Arts Patron
"I am really enjoying my little big book! I love flipping randomly while the book is closed and thus inviting! Then I discover or rediscover an artist and it's last five years of creation. Very inspiring. To have such a constant flow of creativity allows us to steal a bit of their energy. Great book. Highly recommended." Beatrice Prost
"We love your book. It’s open on the coffee table and everyone leafs through it looking for works and artists they like. We love how it’s given us a deeper insight into artists we already know and love as well as introduced us to new ones." The Holmes a Court family
MESSAGES OF SUPPORT
"I've suggested to a couple of commercial galleries they do exactly this sort of project, which always struck me as a valuable exercise."
Dr Christopher Heathcote
"I hope all goes well with the publication. It’s a good thing you are doing for your artists."
Dr Elizabeth Bodey
"What a great initiative. I am so happy to be included."
Gina Mobayed
"Flinders Lane Gallery is one of the most important contemporary arts spaces in Australia and continues to show world leading, innovative and bold artists including the amazing Kathryn Longhurst. This book of essays draws attention to many such artists and I am honoured and humbled to be part of the collection."
Professor James Arvanitakis
"This book sounds incredible, and the design layout looks great. It is a privilege to be included in the publication! I'm excited to see the final product."
Sita McAlpine
As an art lover, there is nothing more exciting and rewarding than stepping into a gallery and immersing yourself in the world of an artist’s original creations. The unique concepts, rich colours and emotions generated have the power to transport us to another place, another time. But what if we could delve deeper into the artist’s mind, to truly understand the intentions and motivations behind their work?
In this book, we have curated a collection of short, thought-provoking essays written over the last ten years of exhibitions at Flinders Lane Gallery, by some of Australia’s most notable arts writers, each one examining a specific artist’s exhibition and offering an intimate exploration of the artists’ practices and the evolution of their work.
Commissioning writers who possess a deep understanding of art history, techniques, and the context in which an artist created their work results in essays that provide comprehensive and insightful analyses of an artist’s work. They shed light on the nuances, symbolism, and influences that may not be immediately apparent to the casual observer. The writers help to place the artist’s work within the broader cultural, social, and historical context. This contextualisation aids us as viewers to connect with the art on a deeper level, understanding how it reflects and responds to the world in which it was created.
As Director of Flinders Lane Gallery I have curated all 110 exhibitions featured in this book. I have a deeply personal connection with these immensely talented artists and a huge appreciation for the mental and physical work that is required to present a body of work for the exhibition. This series of exhibitions showcases a remarkable consistency and progression in the artists’ practices.
In these essays, we witness the development of these artists. We see how their techniques evolve, their ideas expand, and how each exhibition becomes a stepping-stone on their creative journey. With 36 artists represented in this collection, each essay presents a unique perspective on each of their exhibitions and investigates the impact it has on both the artist and the viewer. We are given an additional insight into the diverse and vibrant world of contemporary art.
However, this book is not simply a collection of essays, but is a testament to the power of art to ignite conversation, provoke thought and, ultimately, connect with us on a deeper level. Through the pages of this book, I invite you to embark on a journey of discovery, to engage with the beautiful, the thought-provoking and the transformative. Whether you are an art aficionado seeking to deepen your understanding or a newcomer to the world of art looking for inspiration, you will find something to captivate and challenge you within these pages.
Join us as we delve into the minds of these talented artists, exploring their exhibitions, unravelling their intentions, and uncovering the stories behind their masterpieces. I hope these essays inspire you to view art in a different light, to appreciate its complexities and to embrace the profound impact it can have on our lives.
Claire Harris
Director