Juan Ford / Michael Lindeman at SSFA - 25 June

It's been a little hectic over here at Big Lamington as we're in the process of changing art HQ's (more on that later) which has taken up a few weekends so we are looking at getting back in the swing when we get an invite in the mail ... weekend afternoon openings? I think it is a great idea, especially in Winter when if its cold and wet I'd prefer being home than out trying to find a cab at 8pm in Zetland. We were able to book a sitter to look after a few of our junior art critics while we took in the new shows at Sullivan + Strumpf at a more leisurely pace.

Juan Ford has got the downstairs space and that faith has been vindicated with plenty of red dots by Saturday afternoon. The only available work was which was both the most expensive of the pieces on show and also totally different in style to the rest (Nobody is Necessary, also from 2009 so not sure how it got in here). Looks like the Ford collectors like his new stuff better than his old stuff (with apologies to regurgitator). He is definitely making the native flora covered in paint his signature. We liked them and wouldn't mind adding one to the collection although the bigger ones don't come cheap (110 x 90cm are all c.$13k) and even the smaller 50cm squares are $6.6k. This was one of those times I didn't mind being beaten to the dots.

Upstairs was Michael Lindeman's new show the Gumbo Variations. I guess I am a little biaised here given our recent purchase, although Michael is also in on the act writing his own review for the show (a nice touch, and funny too). I can see why there were only a half dozen dots for the more than 20 works on offer - you really have to find the exact piece you want and that takes time to think and reflect. I am always trying to see if one of the ads could reference something we already have ('genuine handcrafted fijian wooden picture' was in the running here). It was also great to meet the artist and have a chat. Despite commissioning him we had never actually met before. It was interesting to talk about his recent works such as the Archibald Prize where he actually put his own number down (I can't believe I didn't think to try the number when I was at the AGNSW!) and speculate about what other prizes he could leverage his classified style into (my suggestion was the blake prize).

Points - 3 points to the Fiji ad from Michael Lindeman (although I also really liked the PNG one pictured above). 2 points to Superflower by Juan Ford (I reckon a wattle painted gold would look good for the next show) and 1 point to the genius at SSFA who decided on Saturday openings.