In this episode of NGA Art Talks, Anne O’Hehir, Curator of Photography at the Gallery, speaks to Trent Parke and Narelle Autio, two of Australia’s most lauded contemporary photographers. Recorded in front of a live audience as part of the National Gallery’s Friday Art Talks program, the pair reflect on family, collaboration, and the time in their lives that created the series, The Christmas tree bucket.

Trent Parke was born and raised in Mulubinba/Newcastle, New South Wales. He started taking pictures at age 12, using his mother’s Pentax Spotmatic and the family laundry as a darkroom. He began his career as a press photojournalist and, in 2007, became the first Australian to become a full member of Magnum Photos.

Narelle Autio was born and raised in Tarntanya/Adelaide and is one of Australia’s most distinctive contemporary photographers, known for her explorations of landscape, leisure and family life through richly coloured, immersive images.

Trent Parke: The Christmas tree bucket is on display at the National Gallery until 6 September 2026.

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In this episode of NGA Art Talks, Angela Goddard, writer, curator and Director of the Griffith University Art Museum, discusses the forgotten modern artist, Estelle 'Stella' Creed.

Born in Gaba Gaba/Rockhampton in 1904, Estelle Creed left central Queensland for Gadigal Nura/Sydney, then to Paris and rural France to follow her ambitions to explore and learn from cutting edge artists. As a student of Anne Dangar, André Lhote and Albert Gleizes, Creed found herself immersed in a world that challenged artistic norms, fostering a bold and experimental approach to her work.

In this talk, recorded in front of a live audience as part of the National Gallery’s Friday Art Talks program, Goddard shares how her research led her to unearthing Creed’s archive of surviving works and letters, and how expatriate Australian artists, especially women, were taught and influenced by modern artists in Europe in the late 1920s.

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Aretha Brown is a young, queer, Blak artist. Her multidisciplinary practice is grounded in truth-telling and celebrates First Nations history, knowledge and empowerment. In 2019, Brown founded the **Kiss My Art Collective that champions young women and non-binary artists to create large-scale public murals. To date, **Kiss My Art Collective has completed more than 65 murals throughout Australia and internationally. Brown is also recognised for her graphic imagery and merchandise range including DECOLONISE YOUR SELF! Conversation Cards For The Thoughtful Ally that seek to foster awareness and real change through conversation and self- Reflection. Brown’s work is featured in the 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial: After the Rain, which opens at the National Gallery of Australia in December.

Works of art discussed:

1. Yhonnie Scarce, Kokatha/Nukunu/Mirning peoples, Glass Bomb (Blue Danube) Series I 2015, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2016, © Courtesy of the artist & THIS IS NO FANTASY
2. Reg Mombassa, Mambo Graphics, More a part of the landscape than a pair of trousers c 1985, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, gift of Mambo Graphics, Sydney 1989, © Reg Mombassa
3. Tony Albert, Girramay/Yidinji/Kuku-Yalanji peoples, and Vincent Namatjira, Western Aranda people, Australia's most wanted 2018, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2019, © Tony Albert/Copyright Agency
4. Diego Rivera, Sueño 1932, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra

Series Information:

This series was produced by Audiocraft

Theme Music by Ravi Gupta

Segment Music is Hold Tight by Thalia Skopellos from Melodie Music

5th National Indigenous Art Triennial: After the Rain exhibition identity by Aretha Brown

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