Paws and palettes: a history of dogs in Australian art 

ON Monday 15 June, Sydney-based art historian Steven Miller will be in Narrabri to present his illustrated arts talk Dogs in Australian Art.

Australians love their dogs. With more than 3.5m dogs registered, we are said to have one of the highest rates of dog ownership in the world.

Historically a major inspiration in Australian art from the earliest days of our colonial art, it all began with the deep connection Indigenous Australians had with the dingo, illustrated in cave paintings, barks and ceremonial objects.

ArtsNational Narrabri’s guest speaker on 15 June is former head of the National Art Archives at the Art Gallery of NSW from 2009 to 2023 Steven Miller. Photo: Supplied.

As far back as 1892 the president of the Art Gallery of New South Wales complained that there “were no good pictures of dogs” in the gallery.

In fact, he was just not looking hard enough. The very first painting acquired by the gallery 10 years earlier had placed ‘Tuppenny’, the appealing terrier owned by artist Nicholas Chevalier, at the centre of the work. A dozen other works could be cited in which dogs played a critical moral, symbolic and emotional role.

Clockwise from top left: Popular Australian artist Ken Done painted his four beloved dogs, not all owned at once – Sammy, Spot, Indi and Bex. Image: Supplied.

The story of Australian art is undeniably incomplete without its canine stars.

Steven Miller was head of the National Art Archive at the Art Gallery of New South Wales from 2009 to 2023. He has worked in commercial and public galleries since the late 1980s and published widely on art, with the popular and informative Dogs in Australian Art now into its third, expanded edition. He wrote the first history of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, which was published to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

Solomon by Australian artist Norman Lindsay. Image: Supplied.

Solomon by Australian artist Norman Lindsay. Image: Supplied.

The talk will be concluded featuring the local arts scene with contributions of canine artwork from the artist group that works together on Thursday mornings at the Narrabri Art & Craft studio.

ArtsNational talks take place in Cinema 1, The Crossing Theatre, with arrivals in the foyer starting from 6.30pm ready for a 7pm start.

Lecture time is about one hour, followed by drinks and canapes in The Crossing Theatre cafe all included in the ticket price, offering an opportunity to socialise and have a chat with the guest speaker.

Border collie, artwork in pastels by local artist Judy Nobilo. Photo: Supplied

If patrons wish to have a drink before the talk, beverages and snacks can be purchased from the kiosk and taken into the theatre.

A cash raffle will be held on the night for a framed print of Graeme Compton’s illustration in Pat Clarke’s book In search of the Goonoobee, and includes a copy of the children’s book filled with Compton’s illustrations.