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Sculpture of abstract sitting body.
Artist Interviews

Vincas Jomantas Interview

James Gleeson Oral History Collection

Published 2015
61 minutes

James Gleeson interviews Vincas Jomantas

15 October 1979

In the 1970s, leading surrealist painter Dr James Gleeson AO ventured into the studios of 98 Australian artists to discuss their works that had been acquired by the Gallery. As an artist, curator and writer, Gleeson brought a deeply thoughtful and personal perspective to these conversations.

The interviews, originally recorded on audio cassette tapes, now form the basis of a unique archive – the James Gleeson Oral History Collection – a vital historical and cultural resource for the study of contemporary Australian art. They provide first-hand insights into the genesis and creation of select works of art, mapping their enduring influence on Australian society more broadly.

Art & Artists


Featured

Vincas Jomantas

not titled [study for Tower of grief]
c.1957

Vincas Jomantas

Tower of grief
c.1957

Vincas Jomantas

not titled [study for Poet]
1961

Vincas Jomantas

The Sorcerer
1963

Vincas Jomantas

The sitter
1964

Vincas Jomantas

Awakening of giants I
(1967)

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Garry Shead Interview
James Gleeson Oral History Collection

A painting of a woman with short brown hair in a blue dress sitting cross-legged in front of light green leaves and palms surrounding her.

Published 2015

James Gleeson interviews Garry Shead, 4 September 1979.

37 minutes
Artist Interviews /  Audio

Jan Senbergs Interview
James Gleeson Oral History Collection

A print of a dark, rock-like object strapped to a board on wheels going down an declined hill

Published 2015

James Gleeson interviews Jan Senbergs, 1 April 1979.

66 minutes
Artist Interviews /  Audio

John Brack Interview
James Gleeson Oral History Collection

Drawing of dancing figures.

Published 2015

James Gleeson interviews John Brack, 5 October & 29 November 1978.

73 minutes
Video

NVAEC 2019 Day 3 – Featured Artist: Lisa Reihana

A video still of a woman giving a lecture with a projection to the right

Published 15 February 2019

Audio Tour
Artist Interviews /  Audio

Inge King Interview
James Gleeson Oral History Collection

A steel and aluminium black sculpture of two large rectangular shapes flanking three circular shapes, one of which that has a circular opening within it

Published 2015

James Gleeson interviews Inge King, 18 October 1979.

90 minutes
Artist Interviews /  Audio

Noel Counihan Interview
James Gleeson Oral History Collection

A painting of soldiers standing around body.

Published 2015

James Gleeson interviews Noel Counihan, 2 November 1979.

90 minutes
All videos
in Artist Interview
All audio
in Artist Interview

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Video

Grace Crowley, 'Abstract painting'
1947

Published 16 December 2010

Australian Art /  Video

John Perceval 'Boy with cat 2'

Video still of a close up shot of painting.

Published 16 December 2010

Artist Interviews /  Audio

Inge King Interview
James Gleeson Oral History Collection

A steel and aluminium black sculpture of two large rectangular shapes flanking three circular shapes, one of which that has a circular opening within it

Published 2015

James Gleeson interviews Inge King, 18 October 1979.

90 minutes
Australian Art /  Video

Ronnie Van Hout

Published 2017

Australian Art /  Video

Michael Zavros 'The Lioness'

Published 2014

Talks & Lectures /  Video

Artist talk: Sandra Hill
Defying Empire: 3rd National Indigenous Art Triennial

Video still of artist speaking

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More from James Gleeson Oral Histories


Artist Interviews /  Audio

Lenton Parr Interview
James Gleeson Oral History Collection

A black and white portrait image of a man facing straight ahead

Published 2015

34 minutes
Artist Interviews /  Audio

Jan Senbergs Interview
James Gleeson Oral History Collection

A print of a dark, rock-like object strapped to a board on wheels going down an declined hill

Published 2015

James Gleeson interviews Jan Senbergs, 1 April 1979.

66 minutes
Artist Interviews /  Audio

Judy Cassab Interview
James Gleeson Oral History Collection

An abstract painting of dark brown, red, and orange triangular shapes within a dark blue background

Published 2015

James Gleeson interviews Judy Cassab, 1 January 1978.

45 minutes
Artist Interviews /  Audio

Gareth Sansom Interview
James Gleeson Oral History Collection

A print of a man wearing a hat.

Published 2015

James Gleeson interviews Gareth Sansom, 28 November 1978.

44 minutes
Artist Interviews /  Audio

Clifford Last Interview
James Gleeson Oral History Collection

Sculpture of wooden oak.

Published 2015

James Gleeson interviews Clifford Last, 27 November 1979.

46 minutes
Artist Interviews /  Audio

Tony Coleing Interview
James Gleeson Oral History Collection

A print of a lady holding objects in a busy room.

Published 2015

James Gleeson interviews Tony Coleing, 1 January 1979.

62 minutes
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Artist Interviews /  Audio

Charles Blackman Interview
James Gleeson Oral History Collection

A painting of a rollercoaster at night

Published 2015

James Gleeson interviews Charles Blackman, 26 April 1979.

93 minutes
Podcast /  Audio

Getting to Nolan you
Tim Ross: Constant

figure wearing armour sitting atop a brown horse in dry landscape with blue sky

Published 27 November 2020

Sally Aitken, award-winning director behind the documentary 'Nolan', talks about her deep dive into the life of this acclaimed Australian painter.

36 minutes
Architects Speaker Series /  Audio

Katharina Hendel & Brent Dunn – TAKT Studio
2020 Contemporary Australian Architects Speaker Series

Photograph of domestic house exterior

Published 2020

This annual lecture series showcases the latest work of renowned contemporary Australian architects.

60 minutes
Architects Speaker Series /  Audio

Hannah Tribe – Tribe Studio
2015 Contemporary Australian Architects Speaker Series

Photograph of white building exterior with palm tree

Published 2015

This annual lecture series showcases the latest work of renowned contemporary Australian architects.

67 minutes
Know My Name /  Video

Fiona Hall and Judy Watson in Conversation

A video still of a graphic that says Know My Name

Published 2020

Deborah Hart, Head Curator, Australia Art, leads a conversation with Australian artists Fiona Hall and Judy Watson (Waanyi people).

Audio Tour Closed Captions
44 minutes
First Nations /  Video

Tony Albert 'I am Visible'
Enlighten 2019

Published 2019

3 minutes
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Recently Added On Demand

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Young People /  Video

Art IRL | National Youth Week 2023
The National Gallery Youth Council kickstart the 2023 National Youth Week celebrations in Canberra

Published 21 September 2023

Some of the best youth talent ACT has to offer including Tahalianna, Jye Cole Hopkins, Girls Rock! Canberra, Kulture Break, Muesli and more.

Audio Tour Closed Captions
57 mins
First Nations /  Video

Barrina South
Shifting

Head shot of Barrina South

Published 08 August 2023

'Shifting' by Barrina South is an ekphrastic poem, commissioned in partnership with Red Room Poetry, connecting with works in the national collection.

Audio Tour Closed Captions
2 mins
Video

ACT Poetry Month Showcase

Head shot of Andrew Cox

Published 08 August 2023

Audio Tour
1 hour 14 mins
First Nations /  Video

Andrew Moss
HHH/KKK

Head shot of Andrew Moss

Published 08 August 2023

HHH/KKK by Andrew Moss is an ekphrastic poem, commissioned in response to Fiona Foley’s HHH.

Audio Tour Closed Captions
5 mins
Artist Interviews /  Video

Haegue Yang in Conversation with Russell Storer

Published August 2023

Contemporary artist Haegue Yang explores the techniques, cultural traditions and historical references that inform her practice.

Audio Tour Closed Captions
14 mins
Australian Art /  Audio

The Shell
A song performed by the Luminescence Chamber Singers, composed by Sally Whitwell

Photo of the inside of a conch shell against a light

Published 26 July 2023

Hear a new composition by Sally Whitwell in response to Olive Cotton's The shell, c.1935

Audio Tour
2 minutes
On Demand Video

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