This is not the first time curator Lisa Slade has brought the paintings of Ben Quilty to viewers in Australia, but of those previous exhibitions none has had the depth and breadth of the survey show ‘Quilty’ which has arrived at the Art Gallery of NSW.



Distilling fifteen years of creative energy, Slade has brought together an exhibition which not only presents these works to the viewer in a compelling way, but evokes curiosity and creates meaning.



The exhibition originated in the Art Gallery of South Australia and travelled to Queensland Art gallery before ending with a Sydney showing.



As the Assistant Director, Artistic Programs of the Art Gallery of South Australia, Lisa Slade has also curated exhibitions of many other artists.



She has known Ben Quilty for over 20 years forming a strong friendship over that time. This interview therefore not only covers how the show came together and what a curator does but you'll hear about Ben Quilty's life and work from the perspective of someone who knows him well.



To hear the podcast conversation press 'play' beneath the above photo or listen however you get your podcasts.



The exhibition 'Quilty' is free and is showing at the Art Gallery of NSW until February 2, 2020.



Above photo provided by the Art Gallery of South Australia



'Self-portrait after Afghanistan', 2012, oil on canvas, 130 x 120cmPhoto provided by AGNSW



'Margaret Olley', 2011, oil on linen, 170 x150cmPhoto: AGNSW website



'Kandahar' 2011, oil on linen, 140 x 190cmPhoto: Australian War Memorial '



'Fairy Bower Rorschach' 2012, oil on linen, 241 x 520cm (overall)Photo: AGNSW website



'The Last Supper', 2016, oil on linen, 205 x 268.5cmPhoto provided by AGNSW



'The Last Supper 2017', 2017, oil on linen, 420 x 265cmCollection of the Art Gallery of NSWPhoto: AGNSW/ Mim Stirling