Making a splash in the canal zone

Courtesy the artist, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sydney and Anna Schwartz Gallery Melbourne

Monumental Callum Morton's study for Valhalla , 2007, which is bound for the Palazzo Zenobio

Every two years in June, contemporary art and celebrities face off at the Venice Biennale. Last time around it was a victory for celebrity, with actress Cate Blanchett upstaging her compatriot artist Ricky Swallow in the Australian pavilion; rather than Killing Time , the name of his meticulously carved still-life centerpiece, it was more like paparazzi time. But this year, under the helm of Robert Storr, former curator at New York's Museum of Modern Art, the serious appraisal of art should win out. And for Australian artists, there's the best chance yet of a coveted Golden Lion or best-pavilion prize....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!