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With in-studio segments, behind-the-scenes stories, interviews, playful explainers and deep-dive field reports from locations across Australia, this docuseries puts the spotlight on creativity as an overlooked but inherent part of our everyday lives.
2022
We head to three of Australia's summer arts festivals in Adelaide, Perth and Sydney, before we unpack the idea of 'art-washing': when organisations, individuals and even countries use art to distract from negative actions.
We meet Sidney Nolan by way of artist Dean Cross, visit Powerhouse Ultimo's exhibition Eucalyptusdom, as it interrogates colonial narratives, and find out about the playful self-portraits of textile artist Adrienne Doig.
Namila Benson explores the Lorne Sculpture Biennale, and Eloise Fuss the 23rd Biennale of Sydney. Daina Sgarioto explains how she got into hand-tufting and we discover the timely story of 91-year-old artist Tamara Bekier.
We stop by "world music" festival WOMADelaide, and an augmented reality exhibition in Melbourne. We meet artist Alex Seton, who makes sculptures out of marble, and Punjabi Australian musicians Parvyn and her father Dya Singh.
We talk to Australia's representative at the Venice Biennale, Marco Fusinato; hear Aussie comedians talk politics; see Louise Coghill's photographs of the WA bushfires; and enter Frida Las Vegas's colourful "Frida-verse".
We visit the new Bundanon Art Museum plus Aretha Brown and Emma Donavan talk album covers. Graeme McCullough speaks to us about the disappearing art of signwriting and we explore the food and art exhibition, Simmer.
We check out Somali Australian exhibition AQAL, and First Nations drone art event Sky Song. We unearth comedian David Quirk's unexpected day job, meet composer Caitlin Yeo, and learn about art therapy from Lissette Endacott.
We head to the National Indigenous Art Triennial in Canberra, this year titled Ceremony. Then we meet artist and film photographer Sammy Hawker, and get the lowdown on the latest in film and TV from critic Keva York.
We chat to artists using novel methods and materials: Safa El Samad, who uses embroidery to upcycle clothes; and Jordan Benson, who works with stained glass. We also meet comedian Gabbi Bolt and Bigambul poet Uncle Wes Marne.
We visit the Venice Biennale to catch up with Marco Fusinato, and Parrtjima in Alice Springs. Artist Deborah Kelly invites us to join her religion, and artist Christopher Zanko shares how he combines woodcarving and painting.
We witness the power of art therapy with Lissette Endacott. Artist Katie West shares how she uses weaving techniques and found fabrics in her work.
Namila Benson meets some of Australia's leading authors at Sydney Writers' Festival: Chelsea Watego and Clementine Ford, Eliza Hull and Debra Keenahan, and Tony Birch. We also talk to Nils Frahm ahead of his Australian tour.
We meet fashion designers Nicol & Ford, artist Dylan Mooney and recorder virtuoso Alicia Crossley. We catch new Tassie dance company Great Southern Dance's debut, before ABC Classic's Dan Golding shares his fave soundtracks.
We catch up with Luca French, one of the youngest artists exhibiting at Vivid Sydney. Namila talks to Amani Haydar about art grief and healing. We walk through Cut N Polish, Carriageworks car boot art sale in Sydney.
We head along to Melbourne's Rising festival. Zeina Thiboult shares the art of hair sculpture and Luke Arnold talks about creating change on social media through art. Richard Tognetti explains Bach's classical music mastery.
Sampa The Great shares how returning from her home in Zambia has guided her music. We get an in depth look into 'Still Lives' at Rising Festival. Ben Law and Vanessa Alexander unpack how filmmakers depict reality on screen.
We flash back to some great First Nations stories. Meet Dylan Mooney and see Eucalyptusdom. Emma Donovan and Aretha Brown do Art of the Cover. We meet Katie West, and finish at the National Indigenous Art Triennial.
We revisit some great stories from the regions. Meet artist Christopher Zanko, photographer Sammy Hawker and sign-writer Graeme McCullough. Plus, we head to Bundanon Art Museum and Parrtjima festival in the Red Centre.
We visit Dark Mofo to watch Alex Podger combine art, fire and ritual; Rising for a new work of dance and drums; and Sydney to check out an intimate music venue; and look at Naomi Hobson's photos of young people in Cape York.
We head to Brisbane Street Art Festival, and find out about Jess Ribeiro's day job. We talk to theatre group Second Echo Ensemble about their latest show Outside Boy, before Miles Brown teaches us how to play the theremin.
We meet the award-winning Back to Back Theatre; slow fashion designer Noah Johnson; and Koori artist S.J Norman, who takes us through his language reclamation work. We also visit experimental art and music fest Soft Centre.
It's Arts Week on Art Works! We check out a new stage adaptation of Looking for Alibrandi; head to Minjerribah to see Megan Cope build an oyster reef on Country; and explore National Gallery of Victoria's Queer exhibition.
We meet 80-year-old artist and furniture maker Gay Hawkes, and learn how artists like Abdul Abdullah work at the nexus of art and tech. We head to Queensland for a film fest in the outback and the opening event of BLEACH*.
Artist Kathryn Del Barton talks about her debut feature film Blaze; we meet the now-Australia-based Zahra Elman, the first woman to win Afghan Star; and Sarah L'Estrange unpacks the winner of this year's Miles Franklin Award.
Hear from the creator of the Aussie musical about fandom that has fostered its own devotees; a Canberra coin designer; and amateur musicians who performed with the WASO, as well as poems from the National Poetry Month Gala.
Learn how Sydney Theatre Company created their latest work of "cine-theatre"; how sheds have been turned into unique music venues; about the art underpinning freestyle football; and about Indian classical dance Bharatanatyam.
A fashion designer makes a suit for Joan as Policewoman. A First Nations play shows queer teen love during colonisation. An artist plays a piano that is on fire, before another invites people to cure their ailments with art.
Namila heads to McClelland to meet Fiona Foley; a musician turned molecular biologist finds inspiration in the coronavirus genome; portraits of country pub patrons; and a visit to Broome Performing Arts Co.
We visit Light at ACMI; meet graphic artist and activist Sam Wallman; go behind-the-scenes with Somebody's Daughter, the theatre company supporting women in and out of prison; plus, Fiona Hall & AJ King's MONA collaboration.
Steph Tisdell visits Brisbane Festival; meets artist Olana Janfa; Club Weld and River City Voices collaborate; plus the Tennant Creek Brio.
We get a pint-sized perspective on Waru, Bangarra's new show for kids; learn more about Janice Wong's delicious art practice; meet Nadurna's Ryhia Dank; and visit restaurateur and art enthusiast Ben Nguyen.
This week, Virginia Gay's Cyrano finally takes the stage; acclaimed virtuoso William Barton collaborates with his mum; we meet terrazzo master David Humphries; and explore a Handmade Universe at the State Library of Victoria.
Namila meets dancer Rodney Bell at disability arts festival Alter State; we experience Tasmania with Rooke Circus; art meets science at Tarrawarra; and sculptor Luke Whitten honours Country, melding old and new materials.
The ballet basics explained; theatre designer Jonathon Oxlade shares insights into his craft; rapper Tasman Keith takes us home to Bowraville; and critic Keva York chats Korean cinema and true crime adaptations with Namila.
This week, a Shakespearean classic gets a musical makeover; we meet painter Kurt Boseke and photographer and costume-maker Gerwyn Davies; and we head to Western Sydney's Mt Druitt for community arts festival FUNPARK.
This week, musicians play the songs of the pied butcher bird at Liveworks Festival of Experimental Art; we meet martial arts movie star Maria Tran and calligrapher Gemma Black; and head to Unpopular at the Powerhouse Museum.
This week, we go on Country in the Kimberley with Bangarra Dance Theatre; take a deep dive into AI Art; and meet neo-classical pianist Rose Riebel and experimental, multi-instrumentalist Matt Hsu and his Obscure Orchestra.
2021
In the very first episode of Art Works, host Namila Benson throws a pot with actor Uncle Jack Charles and interviews artist Atong Atem, while sculptor Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran explains his unusual sources of inspiration.
Namila Benson has a much-needed conversation about race and representation with Indigenous hip hop artist Ziggy Ramo and attempts to master the garamut drum with Airi Ingram.
Deni Todorovic looks at the career of fashion designer Mary Quant, developer Siobhan Reddy talks about the storytelling potential of video games and Soprano Natalie Aroyan offers a peek behind the scenes of Opera Australia.
Two perfect strangers go on a blind date to the MCA, Curator Kimberley Moulton and director Bruce Gladwin talk about how collaboration enhances creativity and presenter Alice Keath on ABC Classic's annual countdown.
We head backstage at Miss First Nation, the national competition for Indigenous drag queens. Musician Eric Avery talks about playing the violin for self-expression and we go behind the scenes of the Ramsay Art Prize.
Art Works deep dives into the 2021 Archibald Prize. We meet 1985 Archibald winner and the subject of Peter Wegner's winning entry, Guy Warren - who turns 100 this year, just like the prize itself.
Artist Kate Just teaches Namila Benson how to knit while explaining her feminist art practice, before we visit the Great Woy Woy Tea Cosy Showcase. We also head to Bendigo to go looking for junk with sculptor Andre Sardone.
Artist Katy B. Plummer takes us to the Hilma af Klint exhibition where she and co-curators Sue Cramer and Nicholas Chambers explain the Swedish artist's work and influence. We also visit the Incognito Art Show in Sydney.
Art Works heads to Dark Mofo festival to hear from Tasmanian First Nations artists about the Union Flag controversy and how the fallout shaped the 2021 festival.
We meet the creators of documentaries Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra and My Name Is Gulpilil; plus Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual artists including Megan Cope, Richard Bell, Brian Robinson and Toby Cedar.
Art Works explores the impact of the film and drama industry moving into Byron Bay. Artists Fiona Foley and Abdul Abdullah speak about the touring exhibition Just Not Australian.
Street artist Heesco shares the ethos behind the large-scale mural project Heesco Town in regional Victoria; and we meet the musicians and artists from Arts Access Victoria's Amplify festival.
We meet Maree Clarke, the first living Victorian Aboriginal artist to have a solo exhibition at the NGV, before Namila Benson visits the newly opened Science Gallery in Melbourne.
Ngugi artist Elisa Jane Carmichael introduces us to the revived traditional art of weaving and Brisbane Comedy Festival continues despite lockdowns and border closures.
Namila Benson talks to Yorta Yorta soprano, composer and educator (and national treasure) Deborah Cheetham and we wander through Malthouse Theatre's Because the Night, an ambitious theatre work based on Shakespeare's Hamlet.
We meet with award-winning Wiradjuri and Filipino musician Mo'Ju, before going foraging for driftwood with artist Pete Rush. Artist Vipoo Srivilasa turns a design from Namila Benson into a porcelain wellness deity.
We visit writer Maxine Beneba Clarke in her studio; get to know the New Writers Collective for teen women, trans and non-binary playwrights; and meet musician Alex Lahey, whose call for industry funding made headlines.
We check out the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards; a space-age reimagining of Moby-Dick; wearable art from Lorraine Kabbindi White; and the durational work of performance artist Ida Sophia.
Learn about the first feature film to be dubbed in an Australian Aboriginal language; Canberra-based Scottish sculptor Lucy Irvine; Hobart artist and fundraiser Janelle McMillan; and feminist performance-makers Polytoxic.
Meet the creators of the theatre adaptation of award-winning novel Boy Swallows Universe, the Yolngu artists from the remote Northern Territory repurposing abandoned metal into art, and R&B singer-songwriter Ngaiire.
Daniel Lafferty fires up his kiln for the first time since the 2019/20 bushfires; Deborah Cheetham reflects on The Rivers Sing; Sami Shah speaks about confronting racism; and a mum and daughter solve a terrazzo tile mystery.
Brenton E. McKenna shares his lifelong love of comics; Mick Turner from the Dirty Three talks about the art of the album cover; the migrant community art project Bukjeh; and a virtual show at Melbourne's Comedy Republic.
Claire McArdle takes jewellery making into the streets; meet the Voices of Colour arts collective; David Moran shows us unconventional ways to play a cello; and head to Adelaide Zoo for an illuminating animal installation.
Meet artists Lisa Waup, Sally Rees and Yhonnie Scarce, as well as the artistic directors of some of Australia's most celebrated major performing arts companies, Nicolette Fraillon, Lee Lewis, Dalisa Pigram and Rachael Swain.
Watch participatory dance work Muster; marvel at the craftsmanship of Terrapin; meet 13-year-old Bronte as she auditions for Ballet Theatre Queensland; and hear from "Kamilaroi cowboy", acrobat Dale Woodbridge-Brown.
Strut the catwalk with First Nations Fashion and Design; have a stickybeak inside Sam Leighton-Dore's home; share a cuppa with latte art champ Caleb Cha; and meet a few artists exhibiting at the Indian Ocean Craft Triennial.
Art Works celebrates Ausmusic Month by talking to musicians, Bukhu Ganburged, and Vika and Linda Bull; and artist and graphic designer Jonathan Zawada, the creator of a number of iconic Australian album covers.
Art Works visits the new Art in the Vines sculpture exhibition at a winery in regional Victoria. Also meet artist Patricia Piccinini; musicians Jackie and Dean Newcomb; and the artists behind Dungarri Nya Nya Ngarri Bi Nya.
Art Works heads to OzAsia Festival in Adelaide; Maclagan Squeezebox Festival in regional Queensland; and to see West Australian Opera's world-first opera in Noongar language. We check out a youth circus program in Broome.
Teens curate a bimonthly event at AGSA; Papua New Guinean artist Wendy Mocke talks about empowered Black womanhood; how Fiona Lee turned the remnants of her bushfire-ravaged home into art; and the books to read this summer.
Meet poet/artist Jazz Money and artist Serwah Attafuah and see how the first interrogates colonial spaces, and the latter toys with digital reality. We head to two exhibitions, Tarnanthi in Adelaide and SOUL fury in Bendigo.
Hear from young people reclaiming their own narratives: by celebrating South Sudanese culture; and creating work by and about the queer and disabled communities. Plus, check out exhibitions Transformation and Time Pass.
We visit the newly reopened La Mama Theatre in Melbourne; see how Aboriginal artists are using a colonial statue as a canvas in Hobart; meet past winners of the Stella Prize; and talk to artist and choreographer Amrita Hepi.
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2023
It's festival season! We catch everything from contemporary dance in Perth to Indigenous protest songs in Adelaide; from acrobatic Greek myths and puppets in Sydney to queer Australian elders on stage for WorldPride.
Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan reflect on their work for the AGNSW building; Thea Perkins returns to Arrernte Country ahead of her Carriageworks commission; Lisa Skerrett chats all things Oscars with Kate Jinx and Jamie Tram.
We see Women of Troy at Hobart's Ten Days on the Island festival; visit Burrup Peninsula's ancient petroglyphs with Perun Bonser; meet Sammy Hawker on the South Coast; and head to Hanging Rock with Nick Cave and Warren Ellis.
Thom Monckton's The Artist struggles to find his paintbrush; pianist Rose Riebl talks Icelandic influences; we meet Hobart street artist Jamin; and inflatable dancers take over Adelaide's Botanic Gardens as part of WOMAD.
Choreographer Lucy Guerin reflects on 20 years in NEWRETRO; sheep aspire to be human at Adelaide Festival; we meet sculptor Matt Sloane; and we talk comedy and diversity with Aurelia St Clair, Sashi Perera and Jason Tamiru.
Namila checks out Melbourne Now and meets artist Rel Pham; we head to HOTA for Pop Masters; translate architecture into music with Mia Salsjo as she composes the Sydney Harbour Bridge; and meet sculptor Jason Lim.
Namila's at Melbourne's NGV International; singer-songwriter Jen Cloher discusses their new album; cultural objects return to lutruwita for an important new exhibition at TMAG; and a performance by slam-poet Thabani Tshuma.
Namila checks out what's on at Heide; Reuben Kaye talks cabaret, community and catharsis; we talk to Daniel Riley, Australian Dance Theatre's first Indigenous Artistic Director; and meet Malian musician Viex Farka Toure.
The Poison of Polygamy appears at La Boite Theatre, we speak with wani toaishara about their photography practice. Bus Stop filmmakers interview ballet dancers at Queensland Theatre and we hear from a master of the Veena.
Indian artist Mithu Sen brings mOTHERTONGUE to ACCA in Melbourne. ABC Classic shares lesser-known music for kids, we meet Dr Kirsten Lyttle to learn about her multimedia art practice and hear from a master of the Bandura.
Maggie Hensel-Brown shares her lacemaking practice, and we head to Perth Design Week. Bass guitarist Eric Avery shares his story on INSTRUMENTAL. We see how computers can make art and chat to Dr Leuli Eshraghi.
We meet conductor and synesthete Jessica Cottis; Namila meets the "mother of contemporary African dance" Germaine Acogny before chatting with artist Nani Puspasari; plus a performance from slam poet Rania Ahmed.
We meet Kaylene Milner, the designer working with artists and musicians to make iconic jumpers; chat with Nathaniel Youkhana ahead of their Australian Fashion Week debut; plus hear from Sudanese singer-songwriter Ajak Kwai.
We meet the stars of Tina Turner: The Musical; Namila heads to the Fitzroy studio of acclaimed portrait photographer Rod McNicol; we get a lesson in ugly art; plus a spotlight on the work of Arts Project Australia.
We visit The Torch, a program for First Nations artists with experience of the prison system; head to VIVID; meld miniatures, theatre, live cinema and UFOs with re:group collective; and meet Nigerien guitarist Mdou Moctar.
We meet 'the punks' updating the art of 17th century straw marquetry; Namila drops by the home of artists Nabilah Nordin and Nick Modrewski; we visit The Other Art Fair; plus, a performance by slam poet Zaynab Ibrahim.
Namila visits the enterprising not-for-profit, The Social Studio; we dive into the ABC archive in search of food; meet South African musician Desire Marea; get a lesson on managing envy; plus, Cash Savage performs.
Art Works regular Rowdie Walden hosts our NAIDOC Special. We check out emerging First Nations artists in WA; meet artist Bobbi Lockyer; slam poet Dominic Guerrera performs; plus a masterclass in the yidaki from King Stingray.
Artist Kasper Schmidt Mumm cares for a bully; Evi Ferrier invites us into her mosaic home; Namila chats with artist Aida Azin; Karen Marks performs her rediscovered 1981 hit song; while Jason Phu is coming for your toys...
Namila chats costume, gender and the importance of role-models with The Huxleys; Congolese Afrofuturists Fulu Miziki transform garbage into music; we meet disabled artist Bruno Booth; plus, slam poet Sarah Lock performs.
We meet performance artist and Ramsay Prize winner Ida Sophia; Jamaica Moana gives us a lesson in ballroom; painter Paul Ryan talks to us about his collaborations with musician Bill Callahan; plus, Thando performs.
This week, we go diving on the Great Barrier Reef with underwater sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor; enjoy a classical concert by candlelight; meet artist and award-winning animator Tee Ken Ng; plus slam poet Mel Ree performs.
This week we find inspiration with Lindy Lee; meet Halo Vocal Ensemble and art influenced by dogs; Namila chats with Jordy van den Nieuwendijk; and the latest in our Instrumental Series with Koto master Satsuki Odamura.
Namila visits GOMA; The Weekend puts ageing and female friendship centre stage; designer Gary Bigeni talks colour confidence; we visit Brendan Huntley in his studio; plus, Classic Duets with Nardi Simpson and Kaleena Briggs.
This week, Namila is at Narrm's newest festival Now or Never; Zahra Newman embodies Billie Holiday; we get a synth lesson at Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio; and musical maestro Joseph Tawadros introduces us to the Oud.
Guest host Rowdie Walden is at Moulin Rouge! The Musical; we look bravely at a new crop of Australian horror films at MIFF; things get absurd with The Chairs; plus a fresh perspective from Adelaide's Restless Dance Theatre.
Artist and filmmaker Charis Schwarz talks legacy and sex aids; we meet acclaimed Waanyi artist Judy Watson to discuss her expansive practice; meet WASO composer-in-residence Olivia Davies; plus Ernest Aines performs.
Namila meets digital artist Mikaela Stafford; artist Raphaela Rosella shares her co-created archive confronting incarceration at Brisbane's IMA; Art of the Cover with Sarah Mary Chadwick; plus, slam poet Huda the Goddess.
From eel skin violins to paper flowers; from self-care compositions to performing with pressure sensitive floors, we meet a range of creatives for some making insights and some how-to inspiration.
Guest host Rowdie Walden is at Desert Mob with Hetti Perkins; we meet Marrugeku's Dalisa Pigram in Broome; Angelina Hurley shares her father Ron's legacy; we follow the Journey Down; and slam poet Laurie May performs.