Arts


Social Realism at It’s Best……. This is England

One of the things I most love about travelling to the UK is watching television! That’s right. Skip the Tower of London, turn right at Madam Tussauds, do a wide arc on Buck Palace and instead watch British TV! I always seem to find high quality drama series running what…

21 August 2020 | Arts

Concerts from the Sofa

A rainy Sunday and a random exploration of Netflix concert films. I discover Bob Dylan’s The Rolling Thunder Review directed by Martin Scorsese  and the Rolling Stones Shine The Light also directed by Martin Scorsese. What a great afternoon! While concerts are no – go zones in our new world…

14 August 2020 | Arts

Nick Cave Alone at The Alexandra Palace

The energy and communion of a live concert has been one of life’s pleasures. The buzz and bustle of the gathering to enter the arena. The anticipation and excitement of what will unfold. The hideously uncomfortable seats and mediocre wine in plastic tumblers. The new instant friendships with those sitting…

24 July 2020 | Arts

Phosphorescence by Julia Baird: A timely & beautiful book

It’s called ” A luminous book full of grace” and “Glinting with insights, a boundlessly generous book.” And yes, its a beauty! It’s the sort of book where you ration its reading because you don’t want it to end. Julia Baird writes ” How do we continue to glow when…

29 June 2020 | Arts

Two Artists & The Parisian Avant Garde

When art galleries reopened I was 2nd in line at a safe, 1.5 meters of social distancing queue. I went to the Bendigo Art Gallery, a fine gold-era building in one of Victoria’s regional cities. It punches above its weight in attracting world class exhibitions. Because of inspired arts leadership,…

25 June 2020 | Arts

Mother Father Son……”Completely Cuckoo, Utterly Irresistible”

I’ve been bingeing a lot lately and reading books about self -acceptance and suspending self -judgement. Paradoxical you think. Well no. My TV drama marathons until the early hours of the morning may leave me bleary eyed and discombobulated the next day but that’s where NO  Self- Judgement takes over….

25 June 2020 | Arts

What is ART anyway?

I stand before a crumple of plastic plumbing pipe, a laminate table and a gin bottle. The artwork is called “Incontinent.” It was created in 1997 by Fiona Hall. The explanation attached to the sculpture reads Incontinent utilises bodily metaphors to comment on the crumbling of the British Empire, Queen…

17 June 2020 | Arts

Born a Crime: Stories From A South African Childhood

Trevor Noah came to my attention on Instagram. He’s the clever, funny and utterly engaging writer, political commentator, satirist and current anchor for The Daily Show when he replaced Jon Stewart in 2015. Time magazine has named this 36 year old African American one of the top 100 most influential…

5 June 2020 | Arts

Bill Cunningham Fashion Climbing: A Must Read!

You don’t have to love fashion to love this book! In 2010 Bill Cunningham New York hit the cinemas. In this documentary we were introduced to this unique, genial, creative, talented individual who rode around New York taking photos of fashion events, fashion on the street and in the homes…

22 May 2020 | Arts