art words is a selection of current and archived writings by Louise Martin-Chew, published over the last twenty five years or so. The blog follows my interests in contemporary art, but also design, architecture, travel, place, creative non-fiction and memoir.
I have been a freelance writer since 1992, and write regularly for Art Collector, Art Monthly, Art Guide Australia, VAULT, Artist Profile and other publications. I was awarded a PhD in 2019 from the University of Queensland (Creative Writing) for a biography of Fiona Foley which I hope to publish soon.
Also in 2019 I undertook a Graduate Digital Research Fellowship at the University of Queensland, and in July was awarded the John Oxley Fellowship with my colleague Matthew Wengert for research toward a visual history of the Queensland Government Printing Office.
I have contributed to books on Fiona Foley (MCA, Sydney and UQAM, Brisbane, 2009), Stephen Hart (Arthouse, 2011) and Robert Brownhall (2012). I co-authored blood language with Judy Watson (Miegunyah Press, 2009). In 2012 I authored a monograph on LINDE IVIMEY, published by UQ Art Museum in conjunction with a survey exhibition of her sculpture, titled If Pain Persists: Linde Ivimey Sculpture 2003-2012). In 2015 I was one of three editors of Courting Blakness: Recalibrating Knowledge in the Sandstone University (published by UQ Press, 2015) with Fiona Foley and Fiona Nicoll.
In 2015, I was involved in delivering a public art curatorial consultancy for the Brisbane City Council in a team headed by CREATIVE MOVE. I continue to work with CREATIVE MOVE in a consultancy role as required.
I also regularly facilitate video interviews with artists for public platforms including the State Library of Queensland’s Portrait of an Artist series (supported by James C Sourris AM through the Queensland Library Foundation).
Between 2008 and 2014, with colleague Alison Kubler, we established an art consultancy, called mc/k art. Under this banner we undertook projects, public art, publications, event management, public programs and exhibitions. mc/k art clients included Richards&Spence Architects, James Street Initiative (with the inaugural Art on James, 2 to 9 June 2011), Urban Art Projects and the State Library of Queensland (Modern Times exhibition). Also for the State Library of Queensland we contributed to a symposium and book celebrating the public artwork Fiona Foley contributed to the SLQ building). Other clients have included the Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival (2009-2011), BVN Architecture (Lanai), Lend Lease (the RNA development), the Museum of Brisbane (Somewhere in the City: Robert Brownhall), artists (Stephen Hart, Alan James) and commercial galleries. In 2014 mc/k art managed the media campaign for an international touring exhibition of Indigenous Australian art titled Salt Water Country (for the Gold Coast City Gallery/Museums Gallery Services Queensland).
Prior to 1992 I was Managing Editor at Art & Australia journal, Australia’s longest published art journal. Other employers prior to my freelance existence included Art Exhibitions Australia (formerly ICCA) and the Queensland Art Gallery.
Louise Martin Chew
PhD (University of Queensland) 2019
M.Creative Arts (James Cook University) 2001
Bachelor of Arts (University of Queensland) 1984
lmc@arthouse.net.au
0418 267 197