Marlene Even The Grace Cossington Smith Art Awards have officially been announced, along with the launch of their 2018 exhibition. The gallery holds a biennial award for art that responds to the concept of ‘making connections’. This year three winners were announced from a shortlist of 37 incredible artists. The well-deserving Catherine O’Donnell won the prestigious Grace Cossington Smith Art Award for her artwork Yates Court.   “Catherine’s representation of her subject creates a universal connection to the urban environment that is humanised and layered with mystery through her rendering of the curtains and window spaces,” stated judges Alison...

Marlene Even A group of eclectic and gifted poets from the humble North Shore have launched their second ever anthology, The Intimacy of Strangers. The anthology includes the marvellous work of local poets such as David Malouf, John Carey, Eileen Chong and Benjamin Dodds. The works within The Intimacy of Strangers capture the atmosphere of the group’s dinners at Rubino’s Restaurant and the local favourite in Willoughby, The Incinerator, dinners that centred on discussions of poetry. The book explores the “epidemic of suburban aloneness”, an issue the group has tried to deter through facilitating meetings and gatherings. The anthology...

Marlene Even On 11 November 1918, on the 11 th hour, the guns fell silent and the four-year war was declared over. 100 years later we continuously commemorate with a minute of silence at 11 am in memory of those soldiers who died or suffered in WW1 and in all wars. Sydney Observer spoke with Damien Thomlinson, a former Invictus competitor, Afghanistan War veteran, Australian Commando and Survivor celebrity about Remembrance Day. Mr Thomlinson is the 2018 Poppy Appeal ambassador, an appeal that raises funds to support Australian veterans and their families. “For RSL NSW, the next 100 years...

Marlene Even An inner-city art studio is heading to the North Shore, as part of an ongoing collaboration between the two art communities. Abbotsleigh’s art gallery is proudly linking with contemporary inner-city art spaces, in their dual role to inspire the community and provide rich learning experiences for students. Artists based at Square1 Studio in Alexandria will present their work at the Grace Cossington Smith Gallery’s Lifeblood exhibition.   The exhibition will display snapshots of Square1 Studio’s community, and celebrate the North Shore’s beauty and creative history. Sydney’s North Shore has been a tranquil home to some of Australia’s...