Art Almanac acknowledges and pays respect to the many Aboriginal nations across this land, traditional custodians, Elders past and present; in particular the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the traditional owners of the land on which we work.

 

December 2025 / January 2026

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At Art Almanac we are attuned to the temporal slowing of the liminal months – as our only two-month issue is a testament. A time when, to draw on ideas from Victor Turner and Carol Duncan, spaces in which we experience art become our medium for sharing, ritual, reflection, and transition. Victoria Hynes’ preview of Ron Mueck captures the ‘event’ stylings of the season; when gallerygoers of all ages seek out wonder – to also discover works weighted with commentary on the human experience, such as life’s transience.

Features on Pat Hoffie and Richard Lewer – by Sasha Grishin and Emma-Kate Wilson, respectively – challenge us to use liminality to reflect deeply, to not shy from hard truths. Both on faith and rituals of the season (Lewer) and on the scars of human suffering (Hoffie); what do we believe in and how might we be better next year? If art, as Grishin argues, “can contribute to stopping wars and saving lives as it turns a mirror on the horrors of war and through this act of exposure brings people to their senses”, when better than the liminal months to look?

Our team’s been looking, too; proudly, we launch a new series by Bronwyn Watson, called ‘On display’. Watson’s first deep dive into a single work is Kay Sage’s Other answers, 1945. Painted at a time of profound human suffering but also of dogged determination to forge a better future, Watson champions the slowing of time with a good long look. There’s also our twenty select exhibitions and, of course, our national guide to what’s on, which offers every opportunity for you to find your own long looks, and mirrors.

Aleks Danko’s fabulous Log dog, 1970 on our cover is our reminder to you that the search for what-really-matters this season should be fun, too. For the many of us who don John Urry’s tourist gaze in our national travels, a different way of seeing will be our reward. From all of us at Art Almanac, happy gazing.

See below for other features and items in this month’s Art Almanac.

 

Art Almanac | Australia’s leading monthly guide to “what’s on” in the arts: exhibitions, events, workshops, open studios, artist opportunities, art awards and services. December 2025 / January 2026 features $1.6m+ in art prizes/funding, 400+ galleries, and 400+ artists, both emerging and established.

Contents

Editorial

Editor’s note and pick

Preview:
Ron Mueck, Encounter – Words by Victoria Hynes

Features:
Pat Hoffie, I have loved/I love/I will love – Words by Sasha Grishin
Richard Lewer, I Only Talk to God When I Want Something – Words by Emma-Kate Wilson

Select exhibitions:
Enjoy our curated selection of must-see exhibitions across Australia this month

On display:
Kay Sage, Other Answers, 1945 – Words by Bronwyn Watson

News:
Castaways Sculpture Awards
Sydney Festival
MAC yapang Art Prize
5th National Indigenous Art Triennial

What’s On

Gallery Index
Melbourne
Victoria
Sydney
New South Wales
Australian Capital Territory
Tasmania
South Australia
Western Australia
Northern Territory
Queensland
Artist Index

Art & Industry

Artist Opportunities
Awards
Art Auction Houses
Submissions and Proposals
Studio Spaces
Materials
Services
Consultants and Valuers
Member Organisations
Training

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Cover image:
Aleks Danko, Log dog, 1970, wood, metal, chain, leather, casters, dog: 45 × 78 × 29cm; leash: 155cm
John Kaldor Family Collection at the Art Gallery of New South Wales
© the artist, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales
Courtesy the artist and Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney