Who says nothing
happens over the run up to Christmas? Impressively, Chris Saines landed the
directorship of the Queensland Art Gallery (congratulations) • consensually,
the popular choice award for the Walters Prize went to Sriwhana Spong (same) •
surprisingly, Dane Mitchell shifted his tent from Starkwhite to Hopkinson Cundy
• harshly, Peter McLeavey was informed he no longer represented Liz Maw or
Andrew McLeod • doggedly, EyeContact published another 18 reviews and attracted
up to 3000 visits a week • curiously, Te Papa conducted an online survey asking
people if they have ever heard of the Aztecs and for marketing tips •
pointedly, no-one from the visual arts appeared in the New Year’s honours list
• curatorially, Te Papa announced it would be selecting a Warhol exhibition
from the collection of the eponymous museum • fashionably, Francis Upritchard
featured in British Vogue • remarkably, T J McNamara was still writing art
reviews for the NZH and sadly (and a little pathetically on our part),
unbeknownst to us while we were in Shanghai Neil Dawson was also in the city
installing a public sculpture (Feather from Afar)
