Art Almanac acknowledge and pay our respects 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.

May 2025

In our next round of what’s happening in the visual arts across Australia, we’ve highlighted a few artists and their work, starting with Janenne Eaton, our cover artist, who explores environmental, historical, and political concerns and the impact of a globalised, digital ecology on contemporary culture, and on nature. The 24th Dobell Drawing Prize finalists, whose works demonstrate current trends and boundary-pushing approaches to the medium – from coloured pencil, charcoal, chalk and watercolour to clay, human hair, aluminium, LED, and video; themes include domesticity and social dynamics, environmental care, and impacts of climate change and colonisation. And Wiradyuri artist Amala Groom, whose latest video performance work “draws on the alchemical belief that existence is a union between spirit and matter, with the human body as the crucible in which this synthesis occurs. For me, that convergence is not theoretical – it’s lived, embodied, and deeply tied to place,” says the artist.

This issue is dedicated to all mothers, past and present, for their unwavering love, sacrifice, and guidance that has helped shape our individual lives. Happy Mother’s Day! (Sunday 11 May).

– Melissa Peša, Editor

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Art Almanac is Australia’s leading monthly guide to “what’s on” in the arts: exhibitions, events, workshops, open studios, art awards, artist opportunities, and art services. Our MAY 2025 issue features $1m in art prizes/funding, 420+ galleries, and 880+ artists, including Janenne Eaton on our cover.

Contents

Art in Australia

News & Events:
Potter Museum of Art reopens with 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art
Securing Photography’s future – Bowness Photography Prize increases award monies
Darwin Street Festival
Melbourne Etching Supplies – fifty years
YIRRAMBOI – First Nations arts festival
The Other Art Fair Sydney
Melbourne Design Week
On Ageing – featuring works by over twenty women artists

Featured Books:
Sailing Back to Byzantium: Art of Michael Galovic, Yarra & Hunter Arts Press
I’m A Believer: Michelle Hamer, Linden New Art

Featured Exhibitions:
Amala Groom: The Lodge – Words by Emma-Kate Wilson
24th Dobell Drawing Prize – Words by Dr Joseph Brennan

Behind the scenes:
Arthur Streeton: Delicate ‘Little Rotter’ – Words by Jeremy Eccles

What’s on near me:
Enjoy our curated selection of must-see exhibitions across Australia this month

 

Art & Industry

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

What’s On

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

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Cover image:
Janenne Eaton, Dark star, 2015, enamel paint and vinyl decals on canvas
Private collection
Photograph: Mark Ashkanasy
© the artist
Courtesy the artist and Geelong Gallery, Victoria