The reputations of artists are curious things, influenced by factors beyond the quality of the work. Affairs of the Art explores the role their benefactors play in burnishing an artist's reputation after he or she dies. Through interviews with those handling the estates of artists including Fred Williams, Brett Whiteley, John Brack, Howard Arkley, Bronwyn Oliver and George Baldessin, as well as a raft of art dealers, academics, curators and auctioneers, Strickland traverses the strange alleyways of the art market, where power resides with those who hold the best stock, and highlights the sometimes heart-wrenching way emotion and duty intersect in the making of decisions by those left behind.

Katrina Strickland has been writing about the arts for fifteen years, for the past six as art editor for The Australian Financial Review. For eleven years she worked at The Australian in various roles including arts editor, deputy arts editor, national arts writer and marketing writer. She was joint winner of the 2010 Trawalla Foundation Arts Journalism Scholarship. She is currently deputy editor of the AFR Magazine.

You are invited to meet Katrina Strickland when she introduces Affairs of the Art at Berkelouw Books in Mona Vale at 6.30pm on Thursday June 6th.

Bookings are essential and can be made by phone on (02) 9979 2112 or by email to monavale@berkelouw.com.au.

Cost is $ 8.50 which will be credited against any purchases made on the evening.