Art Works

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.