Synopsis
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.
Episodes
1
Uncle Jack Charles, Atong Atem & Ramesh Mario NithiyendranIn 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.27m2
Race and Representation, Ziggy Ramo & Airi IngramNamila 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.26m3
Opera Australia & Mary QuantDeni 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.28m4
Museum of Contemporary Art & ABC Classic 100Two 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.27m5
Miss First Nation & the Ramsay Art PrizeWe 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.29m6
Archibald Prize & Archie 100Art 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.30m7
Kate Just & the Great Woy Woy Tea Cosy ShowcaseArtist 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.28m8
Hilma af Klint & Incognito Art ShowArtist 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.31m9
Dark Mofo 2021Art 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.26m10
NAIDOC Week 2021We 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.31m11
Just Not Australian Touring ExhibitionArt 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.28m12
Arts Access Victoria Amplify FestivalStreet 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.27m13
Science Gallery in MelbourneWe 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.28m14
Brisbane Comedy FestivalNgugi artist Elisa Jane Carmichael introduces us to the revived traditional art of weaving and Brisbane Comedy Festival continues despite lockdowns and border closures.29m15
Malthouse Theatre's Because the NightNamila 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.29m16
Mo'Ju, Vipoo Srivilasa & The Wellness Deity ProjectWe 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.30m17
Maxine Beneba Clark, New Writers Collective & Alex LaheyWe 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.27m18
NATSIAA, Ishmael, Stone Country, Ida SophiaWe 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.27m19
Kylie Bracknell, Lucy Irvine, DemolitionLearn 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.27m20
Boy Swallows Universe, Murrniny, NgaiireMeet 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.28m21
Daniel Lafferty, The Rivers SingDaniel 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.27m22
Brenton E. McKenna, Mick Turner, BukjehBrenton 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.29m23
Claire McArdle, Voices of ColourClaire 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.26m24
#KnowMyNameMeet 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.30m25
Muster, Terrapin, Dale Woodbridge-BrownWatch 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.27m26
First Nations Fashion and DesignStrut 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.29m27
Ausmusic MonthArt 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.31m28
Art in the Vines, Patricia PiccininiArt 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.25m29
OzAsia Festival, Koolbardi wer WardongArt 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.28m30
Neo Teen Takeover, Wendy Mocke, Fiona LeeTeens 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.29m31
Jazz Money, Tarnanthi, Serwah AttafuahMeet 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.28m32
Transformation, Time Pass, BaaiHear 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.29m33
La Mama Theatre, Stella PrizeWe 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.32m
Uncle Jack Charles, Atong Atem & Ramesh Mario NithiyendranIn 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.27m2Race and Representation, Ziggy Ramo & Airi IngramNamila 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.26m3Opera Australia & Mary QuantDeni 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.28m4Museum of Contemporary Art & ABC Classic 100Two 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.27m5Miss First Nation & the Ramsay Art PrizeWe 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.29m6Archibald Prize & Archie 100Art 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.30m7Kate Just & the Great Woy Woy Tea Cosy ShowcaseArtist 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.28m8Hilma af Klint & Incognito Art ShowArtist 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.31m9Dark Mofo 2021Art 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.26m10NAIDOC Week 2021We 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.31m11Just Not Australian Touring ExhibitionArt 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.28m12Arts Access Victoria Amplify FestivalStreet 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.27m13Science Gallery in MelbourneWe 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.28m14Brisbane Comedy FestivalNgugi artist Elisa Jane Carmichael introduces us to the revived traditional art of weaving and Brisbane Comedy Festival continues despite lockdowns and border closures.29m15Malthouse Theatre's Because the NightNamila 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.29m16Mo'Ju, Vipoo Srivilasa & The Wellness Deity ProjectWe 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.30m17Maxine Beneba Clark, New Writers Collective & Alex LaheyWe 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.27m18NATSIAA, Ishmael, Stone Country, Ida SophiaWe 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.27m19Kylie Bracknell, Lucy Irvine, DemolitionLearn 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.27m20Boy Swallows Universe, Murrniny, NgaiireMeet 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.28m21Daniel Lafferty, The Rivers SingDaniel 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.27m22Brenton E. McKenna, Mick Turner, BukjehBrenton 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.29m23Claire McArdle, Voices of ColourClaire 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.26m24#KnowMyNameMeet 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.30m25Muster, Terrapin, Dale Woodbridge-BrownWatch 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.27m26First Nations Fashion and DesignStrut 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.29m27Ausmusic MonthArt 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.31m28Art in the Vines, Patricia PiccininiArt 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.25m29OzAsia Festival, Koolbardi wer WardongArt 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.28m30Neo Teen Takeover, Wendy Mocke, Fiona LeeTeens 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.29m31Jazz Money, Tarnanthi, Serwah AttafuahMeet 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.28m32Transformation, Time Pass, BaaiHear 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.29m33La Mama Theatre, Stella PrizeWe 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.32m
