Blog Archives
Blog Archives
Blog Archives
Blog Archives
Over the past two decades, Carl Gopalkrishnan's artwork has garnered international recognition for his ability to forge meaningful connections between art & literature and the complex dynamics driving international law, intervention and global conflict. Carl transforms familiar cultural artefacts into new myths so legal and military minds can explore the creative, subconscious and emotional stories that shape their doctrines of war & peace. (Photograph copyright © Amanda Brown 1992)
Open Letter: Red, White & Blue = Lavender. In 2024 we turn desperately to our young people to paint a better future.
Creation is not only for artists. Students who are discovering their voices to call for a ceasefire in Gaza are, collectively, creating a moment in history. Those opposing it will apply the same silencing, disparaging comments, and threats, as they have to artists who have challenged doctrine for millennia.
New Painting: ‘Gaza, Monsters of the Id. A painting in red, white and blue’ I turn this painting against the wall before I sleep, Jan 2024
Artists paint especially when there are no words left…
Studio Podcast: My Conversation with Aisya Zaharin on her faith, life & resilience, June, 2023
People’s stories inspire my art. Aisya Zaharin is a PhD researcher on ‘Navigating Asian values and media responsibility’ at the University of Queensland. She works across the fields of political science, history and decolonisation to LGBTQI+ & Islam. She's also a Malaysian trans Muslim woman and Australian citizen with fascinating stories to tell with passion, grit, humour and intelligence. We recorded this outside so be prepared for some birds.
New Publishing: Critical Military Studies, London, Volume 9 #2, May 2023
In this article of Volume 9, #2, 2023 of Routledge London journal Critical Military Studies, I share my experience of using William Blake’s 1793 poem America a Prophecy as a lens to explore the mythic, subconscious and literary constructions of military interventions in the Indo-Pacific with my 2021 painting ‘Australia a Prophecy’ & a 2000 word essay.
AUKUS Chronicles/Studio Notes: A Visual Prayer for Protection from The Captains of AUKUS, new drypoint prints
This print was created as a visual prayer to my God (but choose your own with my blessing:) to prevent the architects of the AUKUS agreement from completing their frightening visions - for visionary power can be used for any ends. I hope it assists you to create your own navigational tool that doesn’t break too easily in rough storms…As we witness Blake’s Lions and Wolves (Australian & US &UK governments, military and supporting journalists) converge to show their true identity in their attacks and silencing of those opposing AUKUS …
AUKUS Chronicles/Studio Notes: Painting the ‘Indo-Pacific’ through the 18th century lens of English poet William Blake
My painting re-imagines William Blake’s poem America A Prophecy (1793) exploring Australia in the Indo-Pacific. I followed a similar journey to Blake, exploring my own spiritual and mythic values, in the political theatre across decades. Blake’s character, Orc challenges our view of what’s right and wrong. ‘Australia A Prophecy’ asks if military leaders see themselves as Orc the Saviour or – like the Hindu God Shiva – Orc the Destroyer of Worlds.