Art Works

Season 2

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.

Where to Watch Season 2

37 Episodes

Summer Arts Festivals, Art-Washing
E1
Summer Arts Festivals, Art-WashingWe 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.
Dean Cross x Sidney Nolan, Eucalyptusdom
E2
Dean Cross x Sidney Nolan, EucalyptusdomWe 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.
Lorne Sculpture Biennale, Biennale of Sydney
E3
Lorne Sculpture Biennale, Biennale of SydneyNamila 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.
WOMADelaide, Alex Seton, Parvyn Singh
E4
WOMADelaide, Alex Seton, Parvyn SinghWe 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.
Marco Fusinato, MICF, Louise Coghill
E5
Marco Fusinato, MICF, Louise CoghillWe 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".
Bundanon, Aretha Brown x Emma Donovan
E6
Bundanon, Aretha Brown x Emma DonovanWe 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.
AQAL, David Quirk, Caitlin Yeo, Sky Song
E7
AQAL, David Quirk, Caitlin Yeo, Sky SongWe 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.
National Indigenous Art Triennial
E8
National Indigenous Art TriennialWe 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.
Safa El Samad, Gabbi Bolt, Jordan Benson
E9
Safa El Samad, Gabbi Bolt, Jordan BensonWe 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.
Venice Biennale, Deborah Kelly
E10
Venice Biennale, Deborah KellyWe 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.
Tamworth Country Music Festival
E11
Tamworth Country Music FestivalWe witness the power of art therapy with Lissette Endacott. Artist Katie West shares how she uses weaving techniques and found fabrics in her work.
Sydney Writers' Festival, Nils Frahm
E12
Sydney Writers' Festival, Nils FrahmNamila 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.
Australian Fashion Week, Dylan Mooney
E13
Australian Fashion Week, Dylan MooneyWe 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.
Luca French, Amani Haydar, Cut N Polish
E14
Luca French, Amani Haydar, Cut N PolishWe 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.
Rising, Luke Arnold, Is Bach the best?
E15
Rising, Luke Arnold, Is Bach the best?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, Reality to Screen
E16
Sampa The Great, Reality to ScreenSampa 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.
NAIDOC Week: Dylan Mooney, Eucalyptusdom
E17
NAIDOC Week: Dylan Mooney, EucalyptusdomWe 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.
The Regions: Christopher Zanko, Bundanon
E18
The Regions: Christopher Zanko, BundanonWe 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.
The Burning, Naomi Hobson, Manifesto
E19
The Burning, Naomi Hobson, ManifestoWe 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.
Brisbane Street Art Festival
E20
Brisbane Street Art FestivalWe 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.
Back to Back Theatre, Soft Centre
E21
Back to Back Theatre, Soft CentreWe 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.
Arts Week: Looking for Alibrandi, Queer
E22
Arts Week: Looking for Alibrandi, QueerIt'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.
Gay Hawkes, Tactical Space Lab
E23
Gay Hawkes, Tactical Space LabWe 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*.
Blaze, Zahra Elham
E24
Blaze, Zahra ElhamArtist 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.
Fangirls, National Poetry Month Gala
E25
Fangirls, National Poetry Month GalaHear 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.
Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
E26
Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr HydeLearn 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.
Anna Cordell, Whitefella Yella Tree
E27
Anna Cordell, Whitefella Yella TreeA 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.
Fiona Foley, COVID sonification
E28
Fiona Foley, COVID sonificationNamila 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.
ACMI, Somebody's Daughter, Fiona Hall
E29
ACMI, Somebody's Daughter, Fiona HallWe 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.
Brisbane Festival, Club Weld
E30
Brisbane Festival, Club WeldSteph Tisdell visits Brisbane Festival; meets artist Olana Janfa; Club Weld and River City Voices collaborate; plus the Tennant Creek Brio.
Waru, Janice Wong, Nadurna, Ben Nguyen
E31
Waru, Janice Wong, Nadurna, Ben NguyenWe 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.
Cyrano, William Barton, David Humphries
E32
Cyrano, William Barton, David HumphriesThis 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.
Rodney Bell, Rooke Circus, Luke Whitten
E33
Rodney Bell, Rooke Circus, Luke WhittenNamila 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 Australian Ballet, Tasman Keith
E34
The Australian Ballet, Tasman KeithThe 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.
Bell Shakespeare, Gerwyn Davies, FUNPARK
E35
Bell Shakespeare, Gerwyn Davies, FUNPARKThis 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.
Maria Tran, Night Songs, Unpopular
E36
Maria Tran, Night Songs, UnpopularThis 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.
Bangarra, AI Art, Matt Hsu, Rose Riebel
E37
Bangarra, AI Art, Matt Hsu, Rose RiebelThis 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.