Ep 160: Karen Black

Talking with Painters

Podcast listeners see artworks we talk about here

Through layers of paint in varying translucency, Karen Black explores not only the physical nature of the female form but through her use of abstraction and considered use of colour she brings out another dimension – an emotional layer.

There is a strong sense of a spontaneous response in her paintings so you may be surprised to hear that reading and research play as much a role in her process as creating those drips and brushstrokes.

Karen talks with me in this episode about her fascination with recent research on frequencies and vibrations which occur in all matter. That interest informs her most recent body of work which will be on view in her upcoming solo show ‘alternative frequency’ at Ames Yavuz in Sydney.

Karen has been acclaimed with awards and residencies and her work is in the collections of many public institutions. She has been repeatedly shortlisted in the Archibald and Sulman prizes, among many others, and has work hanging in both those prize exhibitions in the Art Gallery of NSW this year. She has also been recognised for her ceramic work, two of which have been acquired by the National Gallery of Victoria.

In this podcast episode Karen talks with me about her childhood memories of art, how she came to painting, the story behind her current show and some interesting aspects of her process.

A video of highlights of the episode will be posted to the YouTube channel in the coming weeks.

Links

• Sign up to the TWP newsletter
• Karen Black on Instagram
• Karen Black at Ames Yavuz
• Karen Black at Sutton Gallery
• Solo show ‘alternative frequency’ at Ames Yavuz Gallery, 31 August to 5 October 2024

‘Both of us’
oil on canvas
61 x 92 cm
Finalist Sir John Sulman Prize 2024
Source: AGNSW website

‘Head wind’ 2024,
oil on polyester, 183.3 x 153 cm
Image courtesy of the artist

‘Licking the rain’ 2017
oil on canvas
152.5 x 122 cm
Finalist Sir John Sulman Prize 2017
Source: AGNSW website

‘I Will Shade You from the World’
2022
Oil on canvas
213.6 x 198.5cm
Image courtesy of the artist

Vivian Vidulich
oil on polyester
183 x 152.5 cm
Finalist – Archibald Prize 2024
Source: AGNSW website

‘Crown legs arms’ 2016
earthenware, 23ct gold leaf
69.0 × 29.7 × 29.2 cm
Collection, National Gallery of Victoria