Art Works

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.