On my way to Yarra Sculpture Gallery this year I saw a ghost sign painted on an empty building. It reminded me of one of the reasons why I write this blog. I want to record something of the galleries in Melbourne today.
“J Miller Art Gallery / Pictures Framers Restorers / Sales Service & Supplies 419 7516”
The old telephone number before the 9 prefix was added to Melbourne telephone numbers in 1995. Miller’s gallery provided a range of services; contemporary art galleries in Melbourne no long do picture framing as part of their business.
The State Library Victoria has a one folded invitation card and one sheet press release for an exhibition at J Miller Art Gallery. The exhibition was by the Polish artist, Grzegorz Morycinski, March 14, [no year, circa late 1980s?]. Morycinski was a contemporary painter who spent four months in Australia in 1987.
Perhaps my blog posts will simply contribute to a more complete archive of Melbourne’s art world (not a vain hope as this blog is preserved by the State Library of Victoria on Pandora).
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I am still working on my book on art and crime as I have decided to expand it from Melbourne’s art crimes to Australian art crimes. I have been posted a couple these stories from my research, and a couple of times I have been rewarded with more information.
Perth’s Fake Pollock Exhibition
The theft of La belle Hollandaise
The Life and Art of Ronald Bull
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I have been fortunate to be born a white heterosexual male in an Anglophone culture and it has been a privilege. The only downside was that I was in generation X, a punk anarchist and there are thousands of guys like me. Writing about Melbourne’s visual arts appears to be a good use of my academic skill set. (Thanks to the Australian tax payers for providing me with the free education. I hope that I am paying it forward with my blog.) However, for much of this year I don’t have been trying to listen, learn and leave room for other voices.
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So goodbye to 2018; this blog will return in 2019.
Black Mark 
December 18th, 2018 at 11:21 AM
I’m more ‘baby boomer Marxist’ than ‘gen X punk anarchist’ but I think you do terrific work with this blog and your photography.
December 18th, 2018 at 11:33 AM
Thank you, I’m happy that I appeal to a wide audience.
December 19th, 2018 at 8:12 PM
Happy New Year to you Mark! Looking forward to a new year of posts. I definitely consider your blog to be a valuable resource for Melbourne’s cultural scene (and beyond)! Thanks for your continued contribution and dialogue.
December 19th, 2018 at 8:27 PM
Thank you Adam. It has been a real morale boost getting all these likes, comments and new people following the blog. They remind me of the reality and variety of my readers; yet another reason to write. Cheers! Happy New Year!