Although I think of myself as being quite creative (I’m a writer after all), apparently, I am missing the arty person gene.
According to my high school art teachers, I’m no good at creating it, and even more rubbish at critiquing.
Even when I helped Miss 21 with her art homework in high school, the feedback was that it was more “craft” than “art”. Whatever that means.
While I may not be able to appreciate the finer points of art, I know what I like – and what I don’t like – and that’s what matters to me.
So if you too think of yourself as a non-arty person, and happen to find yourself in Canberra, the National Gallery of Australia is still worth a visit. (Apart from anything, the air conditioning was AMAZING on a day where the temperature reached 37 degrees!).
Yes, some of the paintings will inspire you to rush home and slap some paint on a canvas, or ask your nearest related toddler to do the same – so you can make a fortune selling it as “art”.
The purchase of “Blue Poles” by Jackson Pollock caused quite a stir when it was purchased in 1973 for $1.3 million, because it was so expensive. Turns out it was a good investment …
But there are other artworks which will take your breath away (and not just because of the price tag).
For me, it was seeing Monet’s Water Lilies in the flesh. Pictures really don’t do it justice. Although I risk sounding like a pretentious art snob, I really was captivated by the luminescence of this painting.
You really could just sit and look at it for hours a while.
Other artworks just beg to be touched (but please don’t).
Certain artworks will likely evoke memories for you – these French Impressionist posters did that for me, as I remember copies of them hanging on the wall in my dad and stepmum’s house, when I was a child.
I was also drawn to the bright colours of some of the pop art.
So while we non-arty people may not be able to truly understand what makes an art work great, we can still find plenty to enjoy at the National Gallery of Australia (personally, I preferred it over the National Portrait Gallery, but that’s just me).
Oh, and here’s a fascinating fact for you: apparently the National Gallery of Australia and I share a birth year – 1967.
Are you an arty or non-arty person – or have you ever visited our National Gallery?!
Joining up with some of my fave bloggers for:
And there are lots of lovely goodies in the Gallery shop too. It looks like you really enjoyed your Canberra visit.
Must confess I didn’t give in to temptation in the shop. Though I did have a lovely lunch in the cafe at the National Portrait Gallery 🙂
Glad to hear that you found some paintings that you liked Janet. The Monet would have been wonderful to see. We actually visited the National Gallery not long after it opened but went back in 2016 and really enjoyed the big range of art works. I particularly enjoyed the Sidney Nolan series on Ned Kelly and the Asian art. I agree with you about some modern art but I like Blue Poles. It’s definitely one you have to see in the ‘flesh’ to appreciate it! Do you watch the TV show ‘Fake or Fortune’? A new series just started on ABC on a Tuesday night. I think you might enjoy it. Last week they were trying to discover if a Tom Roberts painting was real or not so had to come to Australia.
Hi June! I haven’t come across it yet but will see if I can catch it tonight – thanks for the tip!
I’ve been to Canberra twice now and still haven’t been to the national art gallery! Must do that next time! I too shake my head and wonder how some artworks are considered gallery worthy art (I could paint them myself!). However, I do appreciate good art (what I think is good art). I too would have loved seeing the Monet Water Lillies and your description of being “captivated by the luminescence of this painting” was most impressive! haha #TeamLovinLife
I think this was my 3rd trip to Canberra Min so maybe you too will be 3rd time lucky!
I’m with you on Modern Art – I just don’t get it at all. I loved the Monet and was surprised at how big it is – after finding out how small the Mona Lisa was, it’s nice to see something look bigger and better than expected.
Well there you go Leanne, you learn something new every day – I always thought the Mona Lisa was big too!
I am soooo non arty. I remember going to one in school and seeing flicks of ink on a canvas and thinking “how the bleep is this art?” and that’s kind of been my opinion ever since haha.
Yup that’s pretty much what I think too. And when people go on and on about it .. blerchhhh
I visit the ANG at least once a year – love it…especially the Monet. I giggled at your line about slapping on some paint. I have a tea towel that says: Modern art – I could do that….yeah, but you didn’t.
I want that tea towel!!!
I’m not really an art lover, however I do appreciate art and have a few original water colours hanging up in my home thanks to a very talented girlfriend. When we were in Hobart we visited MONA and that was a real eye opener! #TeamLovinLife
I’ll have to remember to visit MONA next time I find myself in Hobart Kathy – thanks for the tip!
I haven’t visited the National Art Gallery. I’m not an arty person but my best friend is a VERY arty person, so I have accompanied her to various art galleries which I have enjoyed but on a much more superficial level than her. We recently went to the Rembrandt exhibition in Sydney.
Ingrid
http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au
I know what you mean. I enjoy it on a superficial level also. Of course that doesn’t mean we’re shallow at all does it?!
I LOVE the art gallery. And I actually LOVE LOVE LOVE the portrait gallery. So much character in those faces. I’ve made it my mission to visit often. My first 20 years in Canberra I think I went to the Art Gallery once. Possibly twice. Now I try to go at least once a year. I’ve also now been to the Melbourne NGA twice. It’s amazing too. Glad you got to see the Gallery while you were in Canberra #teamlovinlife
Thanks for the tip Leanne! I had a very pleasant time exploring them both that afternoon after we’d met for coffee 🙂