We are delighted to host Penelope Jackson and Monash University Press to launch the publication Unseen: Art and Crime in Australia on Wednesday 19 November at 6pm at the Gallery.
Join the author Penelope Jackson in conversation with Hilary Thurlow discussing Unseen, a riveting look at art thefts, fakes, forgeries, vandalism, ‘disappeared works’ and more.
RSVP Please RSVP by Mon 17 Nov
Lauraine Diggins Fine Art will be closed Tuesday 4 November and then exhibiting at the Australian Antiques and Art Dealers Association Fair in Sydney at Paddington Town Hall.
Opening Preview Thursday 6 November 4pm – 8pm
Friday 7 November 10am – 6pm
Saturday 8 November 10am – 6pm
Sunday 9 November 10am – 4pm
We will be showcasing a selection of Australian artworks with a focus on women artists inspired by Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890 – 1940, currently showing at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
The Gallery in Melbourne continues to present Fusions: A Blend Across Cultures and Time uniting contemporary paintings by Fu Hong, Guanting Li and Echo Cai with 19th Century antique furniture and decorative objects, along with a selection of Asian ceramics. Showing until 14 November.
Forthcoming events: Book launch – Unseen by Penelope Jackson Wed 19 November
New paintings by Helen S. Tiernan opening Sat 22 November
In conjunction with Leigh Pritchard Fine Art this exhibition unites the grandeur of 19th Century French antique furniture and decorative arts with contemporary paintings by Fu Hong, Guanting Li and Echo Cai and a selection of asian ceramics dating across the centuries. A combination of the new and the old, inviting us to reflect on the ways art connects cultures, generations and ideas.
Fu Hong’s painting Autumn in Bright 2025 oil on canvas 61 x 81 cm hanging above a 19th Century French serpentine shaped two drawer commode with floral marquetry and gilt bronze and marble top. Sitting on the commode is a 3 piece mantle clock set dating c.1880 by the maker Giraud and Legrand, Paris. The clock and candelabra are mounted on ormolu decorated Carrara marble bases with adjustable feet. The candelabra feature two cherubs holding up the candle holders. A bronze figure of Cupid stands above the clock with original enamel.
Fu Hong held his first solo exhibition in Beijing in 1988 and his recent exhibition at Lauraine Diggins Fine Art brings his exhibition history to over 60 shows. He delights in painting landscape, still life and figurative works and has been a finalist in both the Archibald (2008, 2009) and the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize (1996).
A French Louis XVI style kingwood serpentine shaped bedside commode c.1890 decorated with diamond shaped parquetry and ormolo mounts and original marble top. Art Nouveau sculpture of a bronze maiden by G. Van Der Staeten, Paris c. 1890 on a marble pedestal and artwork by Guanting Li, Waterfalls in Cloud 2017 colour ink on rice paper, 143 x 44 cm. Guanting Li trained in China before moving to Australia over 20 years ago and his highly collected particularly in China. His subjects are inspired by Chinese culture and painted in the unforgiving medium of ink on rice paper showcasing the expressive calligraphic line.
Echo Cai trained at Peking University before migrating to Australia in 1989 where her creative output includes painting, writing, video and curation and often explores a connection between Australian and Chinese culture. Her recent painting includes View Over the Vines 2025, synthetic polymer on canvas, 65 x 150 cm which here hangs above a 19th Century French kingwood serpentine shaped two drawer commode, decorated with kingwood diamond shaped parquetry set within rosewood borders, with cast metal mounts and cabriole legs and original marble top, with a bronze sculpture sitting atop.
Exhibition showing until 14 November 2025 – explore the exhibition on our website www.diggins.com.au
and view short reels on our youtube to appreciate the detail and skill in the creation of these art objects.
Lauraine Diggins Fine Art is showing at the Australian Antique and Art Dealers Association Fair at the Malvern Town Hall open today Sunday 4 May until 4pm. Visit us at Stand #24 where we are showing a selection of Australian colonial, impressionist, modern, contemporary and Aboriginal artworks.
For further information click here
Watch videos of artists Stephen Bowers and Mark Thompson as they discuss the artworks in their current exhibitions of new ceramic work. Learn about the ornithological inspirations for the birds on Stephen’s ornate plates and how Mark has several pieces on the go at once and what drives him to keep creating. Ceramics by nature includes an element that is totally out of the artist’s control, as every time a piece enters the kiln there is an unknown factor. The artist has to be patient through the process, allowing the kiln to cool enough before seeing if everything has turned out as planned.
See our website to view the videos, preview the artworks in the exhibition and download the illustrated catalogues with essays by Leslie Ferrin and John Neylon. A video of the opening with remarks by Dr Damon Moon, prolific writer on ceramics, as well as a ceramicist himself, is also available to view.
Visit the Connections exhibition to view Helen Tiernan’s fascinating paintings.
Tiernan’s landscapes blend elements from European and Indigenous artistic traditions, signifying the rich tapestry of her mixed cultural connections. They invite viewers to contemplate the interconnectedness of humanity and nature and are displayed alongside artworks by First Nations artists from the Whitehorse art collection.
Connections showing at Artspace Box Hill until 12 August.
View further works by Helen Tiernan on our website or Contact us for details about new works to the Gallery.
Helen Tiernan Colonial Cattle series #3 2023 oil on canvas 66 x 45.5 cm (oval)
We pay tribute to art dealer, Nevin Hurst who died on Tuesday 11 April, surrounded by family. Based in his Masterpiece gallery in Hobart, his expansive knowledge of Australian art, especially that of the colonial era, will be sorely missed. We at Lauraine Diggins Fine Art especially enjoyed a genuine friendship and fruitful working relationship, benefitting from his expertise and cheered by his jolly nature. Nevin deservedly had a reputation as story-teller, and published two books, My Masterpieces highlighting a number of significant paintings he handled as an art dealer, and his memoir, From Rabbit Traps to Rembrandts. Despite retiring a few years ago, Nevin continued his art dealing as his passionate interest, sourcing, researching and placing artworks with clients. Our thoughts are with his wife Rose and family and with Mastepiece staff past and present, especially Arzina and Zac.
On International Women’s Day we celebrate by sharing some of our favourite artworks by women artists who led the way by challenging traditions, exploring new ideas and influencing the direction of Australian art.
This years theme is #EmbraceEquity.
In the current global climate of shifting attitudes towards gender biases, the celebration and recognition of women artists is growing around the world. Such interest and support of women artists is not a new phenomenon, tending to follow the ebbs and flows parallel with general cultural trends.
Australian female artists have been integral to our artistic culture throughout history, with women students at art school, including a significant number of Australian artists studying in Europe; women artists represented in national and international art exhibitions, competitions and prizes; women as active members of art societies; teaching art students; reproduced in art publications; working as professional artists, including commissioned positions such as Official War Artist; and collected by major institutions as well as private collectors.
Robert Clinch: Life on Earth
Murray Griffin: Earth and Beyond
Horace Trenerry: Painting the Earth
Three concurrent solo shows by artists we believe deserve greater recognition for their contribution to the Australian Art story. Contemporary Melbourne artist Robert Clinch and his urban capriccios which are based on real places, allowing a sense of recognition and familiarity to the viewer. Robert adapts the elements to suit the message he seeks to present, making comment on universal aspects of humanity and life on earth. Murray Griffin (1903 – 1992) is admired for his lithographs of birds, but less well known for his paintings of landscapes and the spiritual influence on his work, culminating in The Journey series. Horace Trenerry (1899 – 1958) has been described as the Monet of South Australia. Little known outside his home state, his focus on the Australian landscape captures observed details, light and atmosphere.
Preview the artworks on our website and download the e-catalogues linked below to learn more about each of these underrated artists.
The Australian Antique & Art Dealers Association is excited to be back in Sydney. Following a successful art fair in Malvern, the AAADA Art Fair, Sydney is showing at the White Bay Cruise Terminal from 15 – 18 September with a number of member participants showing fine art; jewellery; furniture and more.
Lauraine Diggins Fine Art is looking forward to connecting with our Sydney clientele and visitors and is showing a selection of Australian painting, works on paper and decorative arts including works by George Baldessin; Rupert Bunny; Stephen Bowers; Robert Clinch; Charles Conder; Bessie Davidson; John Dent; Robert Dickerson; Ethel Carrick Fox; James Gleeson; Sydney Long; John Ford Paterson; John Perceval; Jane Price; Gloria Petyarr; Iso Rae; Elizabeth (Lilla) Reidy; Henry Rielly; Helen Tiernan; Constance Stokes; Fred Williams; Brett Whiteley; Zhou Xiaoping.
We have a limited number of complimentary tickets so please contact us if you are interested in securing yours.
