Creative Australia has released the results of the 2022 National Arts Participation Survey.  It’s the first comprehensive study of Australians’ engagement with arts and creativity since the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results reinforce just how important arts, culture and creativity are for helping us through difficult times.  Dr Georgie McClean, Executive Director Development and Partnerships, at Creative Australia provides us with insight. Laugh Your Arts Off is back in 2023 for one night only.  All proceeds help fund the vital work of Arts Law.  The Arts Law Centre of Australia provides legal advice and information on a wide range of arts related legal and business matters.  The fundraiser is brought together by the Hearts for Arts Law is a group of young professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to raise money for Arts Law. Made up of lawyers, arts workers and students the committee hosts casual events for both lawyers and artists that provide networking opportunities and raise money and support for Arts Law.  Lee Elsdon, Deputy Chair, Hearts For Arts Law Fundraising Committee tells us more. On at Palace Cinemas is a suite of screen pleasures as part of this year’s program of the ST Ali Italian Film Festival.  To point us toward some of what’s showing we hear from Festival Director, Elysia Zeccola. LOVEGRUNGEPEACHES happened at Since I Left You on Tuesday evening in the YCK laneway heritage venue on Kent Street. The poetry event is the third in a series called pie in the sky poets.  Presented by Poetry Sydney and hosted by the curator Rico Craig who we’ll hear from him with a tribute poem.

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, from GADIGAL country, we acknowledge First Nations peoples as the sovereign custodians of Country, and pay respect to Elders of past, present and to future generations. We acknowledge and value the distinct culture, customs and practices present in the many and diverse tribal nations across NSW. And we accept the invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and supports a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Australian Constitution.

Playlist

Vanishing Twin :: Afternoon X Afternoon X London, UK
Creating Value: Results of the National ARts Participation Survey :: INTERVIEW: Georgie McClean, Executive Director Development and Partnerships, Creative Australia https://creative.gov.au/advocacy-and-research/creating-our-future/
Ella Thompson :: To Light The Lantern Domino Melbourne, Australia
Moondiver :: When U Land Dublin, Ireland EP
Cleo Sol :: Heaven Heaven UK
Elephantine – Maurice Louca :: Moonshine Part 1 Moonshine Cairo, Egypt
FUNDRAISING EVENT: Laugh Your Arts Off – https://www.artslaw.com.au/ :: INTERVIEW: Lee Elsdon, Deputy Chari, Hearts For Arts Law Fundraising Committee 7pm Thursday 28 September 2023: 107 Projects, Redfern https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/laugh-your-arts-off-tickets-708110476497
Treasure Bloom :: Treasure Bloom, Lu Re – Remix Treasure Bloom London, UK
The Sorcerers :: The Outer World Jazz Ensemble – Beg, Borrow, Play The Outer World Jazz Ensemble ATA Records
Dimitri Grimm :: Sunnaeseeu For Beauty’s Source Switzerland
ST ALi Italian Film Festival – 18 October 2023 :: INTERVIEW: Elysia Zeccola, Festival Director https://www.italianfilmfestival.com.au/ https://www.palacecinemas.com.au/festivals/italian-film-festival/
Chip Wickham :: love & Life Live & Life Madrid, Spain
Rico Craig:https://ricocraig.com/ :: Poem: Live recording – LOVEGRUNGEPEACHES pie in the sky poets @ Since I Left You https://poetrysydney.org/2023/08/17/pie-in-the-sky-poets-eat-live-fly/
Silver Firs :: Silver Firs Annihilation Party Oh Sister Records

A Line A Web A World is an exhibition is an in depth look at drawings from the Powerhouse museum’s collection and considers the nature of drawing, and why we draw. Assistant Curator, Nina Earl takes us on a Gallery walk. The 17th edition of Sydney Contemporary is Australasia’s premier contemporary art fair with 96 Galleries presenting over 500 artists at Carriageworks for four days. We glean the atmosphere on Art Night and speak with Firstspace Gallerist Liza Feeney, Stanley Street Gallery and artists, Agus Wijaya and Jackson Farley. From Onespace (Queensland), we hear from Sebastian Moody and Sai Kalen.

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, the program participants acknowledge the custodians of the Gadigal lands from which the program has been produced and broadcasts from at Eastside Radio.

Playlist

Azmari :: Sheep Party Maelstrom Album released in October 2023
Exhibition: A line A Web A World :: Interview: Nina Earl, Curator Powerhouse Museum – 31 December 2023 https://powerhouse.com.au/
The Cinematic Orchestra :: All That You Give (feat. Fontella Bass) Every Day (20th Anniversary Edition) London UK
Sam Gendel :: CD AUDIOBOOK LA
Liza Feeney, Gallerist: Artists – Agus Wijaya, Jackson Farley :: Interview: Stanley Street Gallery – Booth AO8 Sydney Contemporary 2023 – Sunday September 2023 sydneycontemporary.com.au / stanleystreetgallery.com.au
Khalab :: Layers Layers Italy
Stanley Street Gallery: Booth AO8 :: Interview: Jackson Farley, artist Sydney Contemporary – 10 September 2023
Ana Frango Electrico :: Electric Fish Me Chama de Gato Que Eu Sou Sua Brazil
Matthew Halsall :: Calder Shapes An Ever Changing View Manchester, UK
Get The Blessing :: Temperate red Pallett Bristol, UK

1001 Remarkable Objects have been selected from more than half a million objects within the Powerhouse archives. Curatorium Chair, Leo Schofield’s charter was to create an exhibition to celebrate the sheer scale, breadth and relevance of the Museum’s collection. We take a walk with Advisor, Ronan Sulich and Exhibition Manager, Anna Gardner. Elisabeth Cummings exhibition, Radiance is attracting much attention and we hear from Steve Alderton, CEO, National Art School, and artist Idris Murphy from their opening address. We step along with the Exhibition curator, Vivienne Webb inside the Galleries. Disorder Gallery in Darlinghurst, features artist, poet and publisher, Gareth Jenkins with his exhibition and book, The Inclination Compass, Puncher & Wattmann. We join from the opening and launch event.

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, the program participants acknowledge the custodians of the Gadigal lands from which the program has been produced and broadcasts from at Eastside Radio.

Playlist

Mark Reed :: Your Soul The Separist Party Wee Jazz Records
Kiefer :: August Again It’s Ok, B U LA, California
Opening Address: Lisa Havilah, CEO, and Leo Schofield, Curatorium Chair :: Exhibition: 1001 Remarkable Project, Powerhouse Museum Creative team: Advisor, Ronan Sulich and Anna Gardner, Exhibition Manager 26 August – December 2023 | FREE, Powerhouse Museum | https://powerhouse.com.au/program/1001-remarka
Ixtahuele :: Zebra Limbo EP Zebra Limbo Swedish band
Eli & Harry :: Guitars (feat. quickly quickly quickly) The Breathing Effect LA Calfornia
Opening address: Steve Alderton, Director, CEO National Art School and Idris Murphy, artist :: Exhibition: Radiance – the art of Elisabeth Cummings Exhibition walk: Vivienne Webb, Exhibition Curator National Art School -https://nas.edu.au/radiance-elisabeth-cummings/
Kahden Miehen Galaski :: Look our for schrapnels Fresh From Finland Now’s The Time, Vol 4 Best of Suomi Jazz Cadillac Records, London UK

Margaret Ackland is renowned for her expressive and vibrant use of colour and in her latest exhibition, Tipping Point, her compositions capture quiet moments of watching between the artist and her objects during the pandemic. We encounter Margaret at the Stanley Street Gallery. Open ended meanings that allow the viewer to engage with the work to create their own narratives based on personal experience is Wendy Sharpe’s challenge to all that gaze on.  Wheel of Fortune opened last week at the King Street Gallery on William to a wide eyed audience.  Sharpe’s conditional questions of ‘what if’ is haunting as it is captivating – and ultimately reflects the inherent uncertainty and mysteries of life.  I caught up with her following the exhibition opening in amongst her work. Curators Emma O’Neill and Alex Gawronski talk us through Writing Backwards, which is the third exhibition in an annual series of exhibitions focused on independent artist organisations at the Sydney College of Arts.  The exhibition presents four Sydney-based independent publishers whose work emerges from artmaking, to consider their processes.  The Salons returns to the Chrissie Cotter Gallery with love lines, a boutique program of art-after-hours experiences including an exhibition, workshops and performance curated in the response to the theme of love.  The program explores the interwoven paths of poetry, music and the visual arts.  We hear from two of the three curators, who took time-out from their opening night preparations.

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, the program participants acknowledge the custodians of the Gadigal lands from which the program has been produced and broadcasts from at Eastside Radio.

Playlist

oshua Moshe :: Spin Cycle ft. Cazeux O.S.L.O Inner Search Melbourne
Exhibition: Tipping Point – Opens 3-5pm Saturday 12 August :: Interview: Margaret Ackland Stanley Street Gallery – 2 September https://stanleystreetgallery.com.au/exhibitions
Organic Pulse Ensemble :: A3 Finite Formative Stages RR Gems
Exhibition: Writing Backwards – 9 September :: Interview: Curators – Alex Gawronski and Emma O’Neill Sydney College of Arts https://www.sydney.edu.au/arts/schools/sydney-college-of-the-arts/galleries-and-exhibitions.html
Guy LaBorde :: Little Corners en mouvement California
Menagerie :: Kingdom The Shores of Infinity Freestyle Records
Exhibition: love lines – opening Friday 6pm – 8pm | Program – 17 August 2023 :: Interview: Angie and Penny, The Salons Chrissy Cotter Gallery https://www.thesalons.org/
Kvinder for Fred :: Kaerilighed og Fred Kvinder for Fred Federiksberg Records
Exhibition: Wheel of Fortune – 26 August 2023 :: Interview: Wendy Sharpe King Street Gallery

A boat for Ray, is an exhibition inspired by the late Ray Cascoigne who loved the shape of ships. Ray taught himself the craft of building a vessel within a vessel – A ship inside a bottle. Artist Pim van Nunen elegant works embody the romance of seafaring, recalling a time long-gone and somehow point towards some other place in situ at day01 Gallery. Transitioning from COOEE Art to Cooee Art Leven with an inaugural exhibition to welcome in the new chapter for the Gallery with country x country. The exhibition feature works set in the remote Northern Territory town of Lajamanu by Kitty Napanangka Simon and Neil Ernest Tomkins, who spent a weeklong painting workshop together to explore themes around the craft of landscape painting and ways of seeing in the translation of land and country. We hear from Neil on opening night. Morgan Hogg is the recipient of the 2023 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship for an emerging artist at Carriageworks. Selected from six fellowship finalists, Morgan will undertake a self-directed program to develop her professional practice. She joins us to tell us more.

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, the program participants acknowledge the custodians of the Gadigal lands from which the program has been produced and broadcasts from at Eastside Radio.

Playlist

Suono Assente :: Candles Suono Assente London, UK
Seashores of the Eye :: Radio Citizen feat. Bajka Radio Citizen Munich, Germany
Awarded 2023 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging) :: Interview: Morgan Hogg, Visual Artist Finalist exhibition – 27 August 2023 – Carriageworks https://www.artspace.org.au/about/news/2022/wwwartspaceorgaufellowship2023/
Huw Marc Bennett :: Golau Hardd Days Like Now London, UK
Roisin Murphy :: You Knew Hit Parade London,UK
Bowes Road Band :: Grass is Grass Back in the HCA Uno Loop
Exhibition: A boat for Ray – 12 August 2023 :: Interview: Pim van Nunen, Bronwyn Casgoine and Eloise Hastings Day01 Gallery, 189 Crown Street, Darlinghurst – www.day01.gallery Smith Journal: https://vimeo.com/61996880
Pedro Ricardo & Damian Botigue :: Un Nuevo Amanecer LP CNL 003 Barcelona, Spain
Saint Abdullah & Eomac :: Wali A Vow Not To Read New York
Exhibition: Country x Country – 27 August :: Interview: Neil Ernest Tomkins, artist Cooee Art Leven https://www.cooeeart.com.au/
Butcher Brown :: I Can Say To You Solar Music Virgnia
Jonathan Kirby :: Fountain Avenue Safe To Disconnect II North Carolina
Les Imprimes :: Falling Away Reverie Norway

Australia’s oldest Indigenous gallery Cooee Art will relaunch as Art Leven, ushering in a new era for the gallery under the stewardship of long-term owner and Director Mirri Leven. The vision will focus on transparent dialogue, offering an opportunity beyond the ordinary commercial relationship between artist and gallery, fostering an environment of openness and direct exchanges between artists. Art Leven will work directly with First Nations curators, art centres, and represented artists.  Mirri Leven tells us more about the new era for Australia’s oldest indigenous Gallery. Sydney artist Christophe Domergue’s latest exhibition, dust room, is a site specific show, created on the of his Marrickville studio’s floor.  And we hear from Christophe in amongst his work at Sheffer Gallery in Darlington. The 2023 Saxo Scandinavian Film Festival will be showcasing the finest of Nordic Cinema and we explore the program.

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, the program participants acknowledge the custodians of the Gadigal lands from which the program has been produced and broadcasts from at Eastside Radio.

Playlist

Camille Bertault :: BIZARRE Bonjour Mon Amour Paris, France
Saxo Scandinavian Film Festival :: Interview: Marlo Sullivan, Operations Manager 18 July – 9 August 2023 https://scandinavianfilmfestival.com/
Joshua Jaswon Octet :: Swimming in Winter Polar Waters Berlin, Germany
Sampler :: Myd – The Sun Ed Banger Records Paris, France
Cooee Art relaunch to Art Leven :: Interview: Mirri Leven, Director, Art Leven Launch and inaugural exhibition opening: Country x Country 27 July – 26 August 2023 |https://www.cooeeart.com.au/
Bastien Keb :: Tikka The Only Angel I Ever Saw Wore Black UK
Jean-Marc Jafet :: Offering Gluklich VI – Compiled by Rainer Truby Munich, Germany
Exhibition: dust romm :: Interview: Christophe Domergue, Sydney artist Sheffer Gallery: 38 Lander Street, Darlington – 15 July 2023 https://www.christophedomergue.com/
Redinho :: Gobsmacked 1-800-SUC-CESS London, UK
Tales of Hoffmann :: Interview: Guillaume Tournaire, Conductor – 22 July Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House https://opera.org.au/
Merak :: Merak, David Marston, MadStarase – Up High Manic Mode EP India

The National Indigenous Art Fair is the largest gathering of First Nations artists from remote communities across Australia. It’s a weekend of to celebrate the art, craft and performance of the oldest culture in the world. Peter Cooley one of the founding organisers and CEO of First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Cooperation which provides cultural reconnection and well-being programs for Indigenous youth at risk talks us through the program. 4A Centre of Asian Art presents A Soft Touch, an exhibition that brings together contemporary artists whose practices engage visually and conceptually with the material of softness, but embody empowerment and resistance. We hear from one of the artists, Mehwish Iqbal works across painting, printmaking, textiles, ceramics, sculpture and installation art. Her work explores themes involving migration, refugees and complex states of individuals. Sydney based tenor Iain Henderson speaks to us on his role in a new production of The Tales of Hoffmann which at the Sydney Opera House in July.

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, the program participants acknowledge the custodians of the Gadigal lands from which the program has been produced and broadcasts from at Eastside Radio.

Playlist

Energy Exchange Ensemble & Oscar Jerome :: Lime Green EP Energy Exchange Berlin Germany
Summer Pearl :: Green Eyes Singe London, UK
Hania Rani :: Dancing with Ghosts Ghosts Warsaw – Set to release October 2023
Rise :: Poem: Romaine Moreton Post Me To The Prime Minister IAP 2005
National Indigenous Art Fair Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 July 2023 :: Interview: Peter Cooley, CEO First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Cooperation Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks – Gold coin entry https://www.niaf.com.au/
Nyron Higor :: Marimba Brazil
Fabiano do Nascimento :: Yugen Das Nuvens LA California
Sinj Clarke :: Loverboy The Height Of Love Melbourne
SWARVY :: Vernon Karate LA
Exhibition: A Soft Touch :: Interview: Mehwish Iqbal / https://www.mehwishiqbal.com/ 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art Galleries Opens 3pm: Saturday 1 July – 13 August – http://4a.com.au
Shafiq Husayn :: No Particulars (eat. Syd, Didda Joe, and August Rose) So gold LA California
Lars Bartkuhn :: Dystopia Dystopia Germany – May 2023
Camille Bertault :: ACRECRAN Bonjour Mon Amour France
The Tales of Hoffmann: Joan Sutherland Theatre :: Interview: Iain Henderson, Australian tenor OA 11-22 July 2023 – Sydney Opera House opera.org.au
Meridian Brothers & Cyril Cyril :: Diablos de Chuao Diablos de Chuao Bong Joe, Switzerland

OCCURRENT AFFAIR in a major touring exhibition on at the National Arts School. Presenting new and recent works by the proppaNOW Brisbane based Aboriginal artist collective. The exhibition references the sensational journalistic style of certain television current affair programs and embraces the slippage between language and its associated readings. Ellipses Gallery is dedicated to providing a much needed platform for artists. Mark Wotherspoon is an artist and the Gallerist, whose current exhibition Ad/dressing the Wound by Tom Isaacs includes performance textile works that creatively engage with ideas of mental health and wellbeing, trauma and healing. Vashti Hughes is a writer and actor who has written and performed works that are based in Sydney’s local history. Doris Goddard Cabaret Show Celebrating Doris is an entertaining response to the renowned owner of the Hollywood Hotel and actress, with reenactments of scenes from the 1955 film in which Doris starred, Wee Geordie. Artistic Director of Ensemble Offspring, Claire Edwardes talks us through Incredible Foliradas by composer Richard Meale. The landmark piece of chamber music is a homage to the surrealist poetry of Arthur Rimbaud.

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, the program participants acknowledge the custodians of the Gadigal lands from which the program has been produced and broadcasts from at Eastside Radio.

Playlist

Symbole Records :: LIBETE – Live ATKA LIVE – Patrick Jean-Marie Unreleased before ! – France
Exhibition:OCCURRENT AFFAIR :: Interview: Lily Eather, Member of ProppaNow National Art School- 5 August 2023 https://nas.edu.au/occurrent-affair-proppa-now/
Various Artists :: Dip in the Dub – La Cumbia Del Sufi Que No Sabia coco Maria present Club Coco AHORA! The Latin Sound of now Switzerland
Leichhardt Town Hall – TONIGHT 7pm – :: Concert: Finding Freedom Event by Refugee Action Coalition Sydney RAC and Teachers For Refugees NSW https://www.facebook.com/events/947500586587981
Exhibition: AD/DRESSING the WOUND :: Interview: Tom Isaacs, artist Ellipses Gallery, 41 Crown Street, Woolloomooloo Mark Wotherspoon: Gallerist/Artist – https://www.dotdotdot.club/
Ben van Gelder :: Glass Manifold Amersterdam, Netherlands
Performance: Ensemble Offspring, INCREDIBLE FLORIDAS – Australian composer Richard Meale’s :: Interview: Claire Edwardes, Artistic Director, Ensemble Offspring TWO-NIGHTS ONLY – Carriageworks 23-24 June https://carriageworks.com.au/events/incredible-floridas/
Hirokon Otsuka :: CHILDHOOD CHILDHOOD DJ Otsuka
Pedro Ricardo & Damian Botigue :: Un Nuevo & Damian Amanecer LP (CNL 003) Barcelona, Spain
Doris Goddard Cabaret Show Celebration :: Interview: Vashti Hughes Hollywood Hotel

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, the program participants acknowledge the custodians of the Gadigal lands from which the program has been produced and broadcasts from at Eastside Radio.

Performance artist, provocateur and educator New Zealand artist Jim Allen passed away this month at the age of 100. The formative artist leaves an incredible legacy and we acknowledge his radical thinking in recounting a memory of Small Worlds, originally produced in 1969, and reworked in 2010. Black birds don’t mate with starlings is Janaka Malwatta’s collection of poetry. It’s a work of activism, fury and hope. It combines performance poetry with witness that recounts experiences of racism as well as historic injustices.  

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, the program participants acknowledge the custodians of the Gadigal lands from which the program has been produced and broadcasts from at Eastside Radio.

Playlist

Simon Mavin :: Good Hair Day Only Your & Me EP Melbourne
Samrai :: Oil Money LINTD Manchester, UK
Interview: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa :: Jim Allen Tribute (1922-2023) Small Worlds: 5 Environmental Structures (1969) – Reconstructed (2010) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuT8LEHj-6s
BarKino :: Antiprisma On Your Own Cover (Volume 10) sohoradilondon.com
Roisin Murphy :: The Universe Hit Parade London, UK
KONG :: Upfield Lovers Single Melbourne, Australia
Book: Blackbirds don’t mate with starlings :: Interview: Janaka Malwatta UQP janakamalwatta.com
Yussef Dayes :: Rust (feat. Tom Misch) Black Cassical Music London, UK
V.A. Portrety 2 LP :: Teo Otter – How am I doing? Where am I going? Portrety 2 U Know Me Records, Warsaw, Poland
Rigoletto by Verdi :: Interview: Stacey Alleaume, Soprano OA Joan Sutherland Theatre, SOH OA – 26 June 2023
Love of the Brave :: Dusted Off Love of the Brave Leeds, UK – ATA Records

N.Smith are on Cloud 9 in celebration of their second anniversary with a thematic exhibition of new and recent artworks by 9 of the Gallery’s artists. The exhibition explores the artists relationship with clouds and Nicholas Smith, Director is looking up. Sullivan + Strumpf presents Horizons of Happiness by Grant Stevens, a new computer generated video work that grapples with themes of no small significance-happiness, peace and enlightenment. Melbourne both Maurtian Soprano Stacey Alleaume has established herself with clarity in her latest role of Gilda, in Verdi’s classic revenge, Rigoletto as presented by Opera Australia. We speak in between rehearsals.

Produced and presented by Angela Stretch, the program participants acknowledge the custodians of the Gadigal lands from which the program has been produced and broadcasts from at Eastside Radio.

Playlist

Yoni Mayraz :: 1999 Dybbuk TseReleased 2 June 2023
SHOKAZULU :: Seeing is Believing Earth is Not For Humans2000BLACK
Exhibition: Cloud 9 – Opens 3 June – 1 July 2023 :: Interview: Nicolas Smith, Gallerist N.Smith Galleryhttps://www.nsmithgallery.com/
Azamiah featuring INDIA BLUE :: Azamiah – Celesta In PhasesRebecca Records – Glasgow UK
Exhibition: Cloud 9 :: Interview: Nicolas Smith, Gallerist https://www.nsmithgallery.com/
Les Imprimes :: Falling Away ReverieNorway
Little Dragon :: Slugs of Love Slugs of LoveSweden
Phi-Psonics :: We Walk in the Gardens OctavaLA California
Exhibition: Horizon of Happiness :: Interview: Grant Stevens 8 June – 1 July 2023 | Sullivan + Strumpf Sydneyhttps://www.sullivanstrumpf.com/exhibitions/grant-stevens/horizon-of-happiness/art/works
Sheridan House :: Something Unique – Catch Action Catch Action: The sophisticated boogie funk of SheridanSheridan House Records LA
A Guy Called Gerald :: Time Waits For No Man The John Peel Sessions (1999 Reissue + Bonus Tracks)Manchester UK
quickly, quickly :: Photobook/Easy Listening Easy ListeningPortland, Oregon
Performance: Rigolleto – OA – https://opera.org.au/artist/stacey-alleaume/ :: Interview: Stacey Alleaume June 13- 26 | Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera Househttps://staceyalleaume.com/biography
Tony Allen :: Don’t Believe the Dancers JID018Jazz in Not Dead
Stik Figa & The Expert :: The Green Monster (ft. Solemn Brigham) RitualDublin, Ireland