Cover artist Tina Stefanou is leading an undercurrent of artistic actions that are changing lives and the perception of place. Wherever Stefanou chooses to engage, the transformative experience is felt deeply beyond the created works. Stefanou may favour audio and visual media, yet it is the context and the subject that directs her decisions. This artist seeks a relationship with all living things. The ancients and the moderns are deeply intertwined. Nikos Papastergiadis’ excellent essay on Stefanou examines the multidimensional qualities of this extraordinary artist.

“It ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you’re at,” is a line from American Hip Hop artist, Rakim. This line speaks to an important moment in February when artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino were announced as Australia’s representatives at the 2026 Venice Biennale. The announcement was staged at the Parramatta Artists Studios in Granville, a place of great importance to Sabsabi and Dagostino. For first-generation Lebanese refugee, Sabsabi, and second-generation Italian migrant, Dagostino, this announcement is a big moment: for them, their families, their work, and for the arts communities of Western Sydney. Both men, who have collaborated for many years, continue to be an influential presence in the region’s arts development. Reflecting on their past works, I know that their presentation in Venice will both challenge and engage.

In this issue Sheridan Palmer’s essay examines Jock Clutterbuck’s unwavering sculptural expressions to the mystical energies of nature. Brad Buckley writes about four Sydney exhibitions held over summer, and discusses the positive curatorial turns from our public institutions. Sophia Cai reviews Cats & Dogs at the Ian Potter Centre, NGV Australia, and considers whether local citizens should be paying to view work held by their public gallery. Andrew Simpson’s profile essay on Ildikó Kovács surveys forty years of painting, and in Rhonda Davis’ inspiring essay we celebrate Stuart Purves’ leadership of Australian Galleries across six decades.

In January we farewelled artist Laurens Tan. He died peacefully with his family by his side in Las Vegas, US. Lisa Havilah’s intimate tribute to Laurens in this issue, tells of many encounters that will resonate with those who knew him. We also said goodbye to Leon Paroissien AM last November. Leon was the inaugural director of the Visual Arts Board of Australia Council for the Arts (now Creative Australia). For more than fifty years Leon worked strategically to expand international opportunities for Australian visual artists.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Artist Profile.

Kon Gouriotis
Editor

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