CANBERRA.- In association with the major international exhibition Degas: master of French art, in an unlikely coming together of ideas, art and sport, legendary raconteur HG Nelson will deliver a ‘spray’, Degas: an Australian great at the National Gallery of Australia.

“Degas could have been a great Australian artist. Imagine unleashing Edgar at Summernats, Canberra Raiders and Floriade,” said HG Nelson.

Mr Nelson’s tongue-in-cheek lectures known as ‘sprays’ have been delivered at a remarkable range of events from cookbook launches, art gallery prize presentations, local government keynote addresses to Lachlan Murdoch’s bucks night. He now turns his focus on nineteenth-century painter Edgar Degas, recasting the artist as a great Australian. Degas: master of French art is the first exhibition of Degas works ever held in Australia. Mr Nelson’s talk is part of a series of events, Sunset Sessions on Saturday afternoons, held in association with the exhibition.

Following the talk, solo harpist Tegan Peemoeller from the ANU School of Music will perform a selection of works in the Degas exhibition foyer.

The evening will culminate in a large outdoor jazz, roots and blues concert featuring an acclaimed line-up of some of Australia’s best contemporary musicians: soulful singer Gail Page (2008 ‘Chain’ Awards Best New Talent and Female Vocalist of the Year) backed by Andy Thompson (saxophone legend who has performed with Dire Straits and Elton John), Parris Macleod (piano guru and 2008 ‘Chain’ Awards Blues Producer of the year), Harry Brus (phenomenal bass player who has shared the stage with Leo Sayer and Renee Geyer), and Mark Kennedy (one of Australia’s all time greatest drummers). The evening will conclude with a selection of DJ’s who will play an eclectic mix of tunes to wrap up the night.

From experiencing an HG Nelson ‘Spray’ on Edgar Degas, to listening to some of Australia’s best jazz and blues, or simply enjoying a picnic in the surrounds of the iconic Sculpture Garden, the evening will have something for everyone.