Ep 87: Davida Allen in conversation with William Robinson

Talking with Painters

Davida Allen and William Robinson, two of Australia’s leading painters, are not only both Archibald winners and Queenslanders but have been friends for over 40 years.

Although they share their thoughts about the art world and their work, their painting styles and personalities are very different – which might be part of the secret to their long friendship.

Davida’s current show with Philip Bacon Galleries in Brisbane runs until 28 March 2020 and William Robinson will be showing with the Gallery later this year. This interview focuses on Davida’s show and an in-depth interview with William Robinson will be posted closer to his exhibition. Bill is one of Australia’s most important internationally acclaimed painters so to obtain his insights into Davida’s work was a privilege.

Apart from winning the Archibald, Davida is also a four time finalist in the prize and has had 3 major survey exhibitions of her work, most recently in 2018. She’s had over 20 solo shows and her work is held in nearly every major state gallery as well as the National Gallery of Australia and the MOMA in New York. She’s also a novelist and has written and directed an internationally acclaimed film.

William Robinson is one of Australia’s most significant painters. He has won the Archibald prize twice, the Wynne prize twice and his work is held in over 30 public collections across the world. He is the first Australian artist to have a gallery dedicated to his works – the William Robinson Gallery is located in historic Old Government House in Brisbane.

We met in William Robinson’s magnificent studio at his home in Brisbane.

To hear our conversation click on the play button beneath the above photo.

Current and upcoming shows

• Davida Allen, solo show, Philip Bacon Galleries current until 28 March 2020
• William Robinson, solo show, Philip Bacon Galleries, 23 June – 18 July 2020
• ‘By the Book’, William Robinson Gallery, 2 July – June 2021

Show Notes

• Davida Allen at Philip Bacon Galleries
• William Robinson at Philip Bacon Galleries
• William Robinson at Australian Galleries
• William Robinson Gallery
• Betty Churcher
• Ray Hughes
• Rembrandt
• Edgar Degas
• Sam Neill
• Picasso
• Henri Sennelier
• Philip Bacon
• Davida Allen interviewed by Sarah Kanowski on ABC’s Conversations

Davida Allen works

Davida Allen ‘Dr John Arthur Mckelvie Shera’, 1986, oil on canvas, 230.5 x 187cm
Winner, 1986 Archibald Prize, AGNSW

Davida Allen ‘Watching chooks’, 2020, oil pastel on Saunders Waterford paper, 75 x 100cm

Davida Allen ‘Philip Bacon, art dealer, reading a letter from Barry Humphries’, 2003, oil on canvas, 206 x 150
Finalist 2003 Archibald Prize, AGNSW

Davida Allen ‘DEATH of my father’ 1982, oil on canvas, 165.4 x 280cm
Permanent Collection, National Gallery of Victoria

Davida Allen ‘I dream of Sam Neill when I go to bed’, 1986, gouache and black chalk, 50 x 71.6cm
Permanent Collection, National Gallery of Victoria

William Robinson Works

William Robinson ‘Self-portrait with stunned mullet’, 1994, oil on linen, 197 x 164cm
Winner Archibald Prize 1995
QUT Art Collection. Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program by William Robinson, 2011.

William Robinson ‘Equestrian self-portrait’, 1987, oil on linen, 141 x 192cm
Winner Archibald Prize 1987
QUT Art Collection. Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program by William Robinson, 2011

William Robinson ‘The blue pools: Springbrook to Beechmont’, 2000, oil on linen, 203 x 259cm
QUT Art Collection. Purchased 2013

William Robinson ‘Farmyard with Corner Shed’, 2016, gouache on paper, 46 x 61cm