This week I spoke with emerging artists Ponie Curtis and Phuong Nguyen Le, who have both recently graduated from their respective arts courses at VCA and RMIT. Joining us was Audrey Thomas-Hayes, one of the curators of DEBUT XX and artistic director at Blindside. DEBUT is Blindside Gallery’s annual exhibition of works by recent graduates from Naarm / Melbourne’s major art institutions. Celebrating its twentieth year, DEBUT is a Blindside project committed to fostering new talent. Art Smitten airs on SYN Radio 90.7 FM SYN Media acknowledges and pays respect to the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nations on whose unceded lands the SYN office and studios stand.  SYN and the Art Smitten team would like to further acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the Lands and Waters across Australia where our content reaches.  Art Smitten would like to expand that respect to Bunjil, the great creator ancestor of the Kulin nations. Sovereignty has never been ceded. It always was and always will be, Aboriginal land.

This week I had the pleasure of speaking to local artists Jermaine Ibarra and Juliet Phraser about their exhibitions at Bus Projects. Jermaine Ibarra and Sara Jajou have a duet exhibition opening today, the 27th of March, titled Love Song open till the 20th of April. https://busprojects.org.au/program/love-song Juliet Phraser has a solo show opening today, the 27th of March, titled Warm Water where she shares her honours research - open till the 20th of April. https://busprojects.org.au/program/warm-water I was honoured to speak to both artists about their practices, their experiences and their thoughts.  Art Smitten is Syn FM's flagship show for arts and culture, live on air on Wednesdays from 3pm onwards on 90.7 FM.

I interviewed contemporary textile and embroidery artist and good friend, Louise Meuwissen. Louise and I chat about her practice in art and fashion, the art world and it’s structures and our shared love of collecting second-hand objects. A big thank you to Louise for inviting me into her space and facilitating such an interesting chat ❤️ Art Smitten airs on SYN Radio 90.7 FM SYN Media acknowledges and pays respect to the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nations on whose unceded lands the SYN office and studios stand.  SYN and the Art Smitten team would like to further acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the Lands and Waters across Australia where our content reaches.  Art Smitten would like to expand that respect to Bunjil, the great creator ancestor of the Kulin nations. Sovereignty has never been ceded. It always was and always will be, Aboriginal land.

Did you know that 2024 marks 100 years of Surrealism?  I dive into the birth of Surrealism and introduce you to the terms, techniques and artists that work within the movement. Art Smitten airs on SYN Radio 90.7 FM

Ever wondered why art galleries have plain white walls, bright white light, and simple minimalist decor? This interior practice has been labelled the ‘white cube’ by art writer Brian O’Doherty in his fundamental 1976 text, ‘Inside the White Cube: The Ideology of the Gallery Space.’ This week for our art history segment, Audrey dives into the concept of the 'White Cube' gallery interior, and why we now use it globally.

This week our new Executive Producer, Audrey, delved into Romanticism and the Sublime, starting with history of the movement and then discussing Neo-Romanticism in art. Ending with an idea of a 'New Romanticim' in contemporary Australian art, one that you can take with you on your upcoming gallery visits. Artworks discussed in this segment were: Caspar David Friedrich, Wanderer above the Sea of Fog, 1818 Théodore Géricault, Raft of Medusa, 1819 Henry Moore’s graphic drawings of war-time air raid shelters Paul Nash, Pillar and Moon from 1932-42 Exhibitions A New Romance at the National Gallery of Australia in 1987 and The Sublime Imperative at ACCA in 1991 Imants Tillers, Mount Analogue, 1985 Eugene von Guérard's North-East View From the Northern Top of Mount Kosciusko from 1863 Irene Hanenbergh’s work, sepcifically at ‘dirty borrowed stardust’ exhibition at Neon Parc Gallery Samantha Hobson, Burning Grass Season, 2019

Hour of the Wolf creator and director Matthew Lutton joined Zack and Josh to discuss the immersive theatre production. A follow-up to 2021's Because the Night, Hour of the Wolf invites audiences to walk around the town and experience mystery first-hand. You can listen to Art Smitten live every Saturday from 12pm on SYN 90.7. Get in touch with the show on our Instagram @artsmittensyn

Jye Walker, actor behind the devilish Captain Hook in The Mount Players Theatre Company's musical rendition of Peter Pan, joined the show to talk about playing the classic villain. You can listen to Art Smitten live every Saturday from 12pm on SYN 90.7. Get in touch with the show on our Instagram @artsmittensyn

Comedian Jude Perl joined the show to talk about her new record and web-series SugarHope Records. You can listen to Art Smitten live every Saturday from 12pm on SYN 90.7. Get in touch with the show on our Instagram @artsmittensyn

Zack and Josh were joined by Naarm-based artist, performer, and dancer MaggZ to talk about their instillation at the Immigration Museum, New Reality. You can listen to Art Smitten live every Saturday from 12pm on SYN 90.7. Get in touch with the show on our Instagram @artsmittensyn

Nick recently watched Filterphonic and Sexagenarian, two films by Melbourne-based filmmaker Lee Galea. Find Nick's thoughts here, and make sure to check out our interview with Lee on the production of the films.

Head First Acrobats are a Melbourne based theatre company putting on head-spinning shows this Fringe Festival. Company manager and producer Thomas Gorham joined Zack and Ben to talk about Head First Acrobats shows Godz, PreHysterical, and Crème de la crème.  Godz takes a comedic spin (emphasis on the spinning) to Greek mythology, PreHysterical offers a show for the younger crowd and Crème de la crème features various artists from Fringe Festival in one cabaret show. You can listen to Art Smitten live every Saturday from 12pm on SYN 90.7. Get in touch with the show on our Instagram @artsmittensyn

Abigail Banister-Jones returns to the SYN studios, this time to talk about her one-woman show The Story of Cerberus: A Very Good Boy. Set in the fantastical world of Greek mythology, Cerberus stars Abigail playing all three heads of the guardian of the Underworld. She sat down with Zack and Ben to talk about creating and performing a solo show, characterising the three heads of the monstrous dog, and of course the pets that inspired the show. You can listen to Art Smitten live every Saturday from 12pm on SYN 90.7. Get in touch with the show on our Instagram @artsmittensyn

Composer Alice Chance spoke to Zack about her upcoming performance Heirloom. Part of Rubiks Collective's Towards Home, Heirloom is about capturing the relationships between mothers and daughters through music. You can listen to Art Smitten live every Saturday from 12pm on SYN 90.7. Get in touch with the show on our Instagram @artsmittensyn

Shakespeare's stories are timeless, being retold and adapted for new audiences constantly. Matthew Connell, a member of Melbourne Shakespeare Company, is playing Brutus in a contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Zack talked to Matthew about his relationship with the poet's works and what it's like to take on iconic roles in the present day.

Lee Galea is an award-winning Australian indie filmmaker. Known for films such as Monster Pies and The Neon Spectrum, and current director of queer TV series Single, Out, Lee's work has been shown all around the world. Zack joined Lee to talk about his latest film release, Filterphonic and Sexagenarian. You can listen to Art Smitten live every Saturday from 12pm on SYN 90.7. Get in touch with the show on our Instagram @artsmittensyn

Zack and Ben joined Brandon Pape, artistic director at Antipodes Theatre Company, who talks about adapting the classic show Guys and Dolls. You can listen to Art Smitten live every Saturday from 12pm on SYN 90.7. Get in touch with the show on our Instagram @artsmittensyn

Ben was joined by Dr. Paul Mason to talk about the Australian comics industry and his work on The Phantom. Paul talks about his history in the industry and what it's like working on such a popular character. You can listen to Art Smitten live every Saturday from 12pm on SYN 90.7. Get in touch with the show on our Instagram @artsmittensyn

Comics artist Daniel Picciotto spoke to Zack about his time in the industry and the many stories he's worked on. Daniel is currently an artist on Marvel's Ghost Rider and previously worked on Phantom. You can listen to Art Smitten live every Saturday from 12pm on SYN 90.7. Get in touch with the show on our Instagram @artsmittensyn

Zack sat down with Scott Wilson at Metro Comic Con to talk about the Indigiverse: The oldest living cultures inspiring the newest living heroes. Scott talks about his own love of comics and the stories that inspired him to create the first Aboriginal superhero universe. You can listen to Art Smitten live every Saturday from 12pm on SYN 90.7. Get in touch with the show on our Instagram @artsmittensyn

Zack sat down with conjurer Josh Staley to talk about his Melbourne Magic Festival shows, Quicker than the Eye and Up Late, Up Close. Josh gives a small peek into the world of magic and talks about what people can get out of learning to become a magician. You can find Josh Staley at joshstaley.com or Instagram @josh_staley You can listen to Art Smitten live every Saturday from 12pm on SYN 90.7. Get in touch with the show on our Instagram @artsmittensyn

Zack and Ben join game designer Michelle Chen to talk about her upcoming exhibition Mini Melbourne. Part of the Immigration Museum's Culture Makers program, Mini Melbourne invites people to create a digital avatar to explore a virtual city and interact with others. You can find Michelle Chen's work at https://purplelilgirl.com/ and @itsmichellechen You can listen to Art Smitten live every Saturday from 12pm on SYN 90.7. Get in touch with the show on our Instagram @artsmittensyn

SYN's News & Content producer and executive producer of Loud & Queer sat down with author Daniel M. Lavery about his new book, Dear Prudence. Drawing on his days as Slate's advice columnist, Lavery's book is filled with all sorts of advice and wisdom. You can listen to Art Smitten live every Saturday from 12pm on SYN 90.7. Get in touch with the show on our Instagram @artsmittensyn

Maleik Njoroge, designer and chess fan, joined Zack in the studio to discuss Chess Without Borders at the Immigration Museum, and the design potential chess holds. You can find Maleik's work at https://www.instagram.com/_alltribesarebeautiful_/ Tune into Art Smitten live every Saturday from 12pm on SYN 90.7. Get in touch with the show on our Instagram @artsmittensyn

Zack and Ben spoke to ØFFËRINGŠ, artist and founder of UnitePlayPerform, about her design week installation Design Your Own Universe. You can find UnitePlayPerform on Instagram. You can listen to Art Smitten live every Saturday from 12pm on SYN 90.7. Get in touch with the show on our Instagram @artsmittensyn

Benjamin sat down with artistic director of the Children's International Film Festival (CHIFF), Thomas Caldwell, to chat about developments in cinema and programming for children. To find out more about CHIFF go to https://www.chiff.com.au/. Art Smitten airs live every Saturday from 12pm. Get in touch with the show on our Instagram, @artsmittensyn Find us on SYN at http://syn.org.au/show/art-smitten/

Here at Art Smitten, we chatted with local Naarm filmmaker Lucie McMahon about her documentary film, Things Will Be Different.  The film explores community, the impact of losing one’s home and the important role that public housing plays in so many people’s lives. The film follows residents who are forced to relocate from the Walker Street estate in Northcote after it is sold for private development. The first screening of the film which includes a walking tour will take place on Saturday the 10th of September for the Darebin FUSE Festival.  The second screening takes place on Sunday the 18th of September at the Thornbury Picture House.  Be sure to follow @artsmittensyn on Instagram, and tune in to SYN 90.7FM every Wednesday at 4pm-6pm.

Ai Yamamoto and Dan West are musicians, instrumentalists, producers, composers and educators. Ai collects sounds from field recordings, sounds from our daily lives and game sounds, creating textures and flowing melodies in her work. Dan fuses sounds from both people and machines from within his custom shipping container sound lab. For Art Smitten, we spoke with them about their upcoming performance at the Neon Parlour art gallery over in Thornbury for this year’s Spring Darebin FUSE festival. They will be creating a great immersive experience within the space on the 10th and 11th of September at 8pm so don’t miss out! For more information and to book your tickets, click here.  Be sure to follow @artsmittensyn on Instagram, and tune in to SYN 90.7FM every Wednesday at 4pm-6pm.

From the flagship youth arts organisation Western Edge comes Distortion - a genre-ending and time trippy production that will be unlike anything you have seen before. Distortion will be playing at Wyndam Cultural Centre, Footscray Community Arts Centre and the Bowery Theatre in St Albans from the 3rd to the 17th of September.  We chatted with lead artist Clarisse Bonello and co-artistic director John Marc Desengano all about Western Edge and the upcoming Distortion.  For more info and to book tickets click here. Be sure to follow @artsmittensyn on Instagram, and tune in to SYN 90.7FM every Wednesday at 4pm-6pm.

Joseph O'Farrell (JOF) is a Melbourne/Naarm based artist and the creative director of White Night. Known for his own large-scale installations focused on accessibility and inclusivity, JOF’s aim with his work is to develop art that adds value to the community. Here at Art Smitten, we spoke with him about an event that does just that. White Night is a celebration of arts, culture and community. It will take place in Bendigo on Saturday 3 September and over in Geelong on Saturday 8 October. Don’t miss it! For more info check out: https://whitenight.com.au/bendigo/ https://whitenight.com.au/geelong/ Be sure to follow @artsmittensyn on Instagram, and tune in to SYN 90.7FM every Wednesday at 4pm-6pm.

Raphael Recht is a Naarm/Melbourne based rapper, performer, photographer, creative director, health advocate and more. Art Smitten EP Cristina spoke with him about his new album titled Lifexpectancy. Dubbed a hip-hop musical journey, Lifexpectancy is the soundtrack to Raph’s life experiences, including growing up with cystic fibrosis and having the opportunity to meet and perform with the one and only Michael Jackson back in 1997 which helped shape his love for performing. Lifexpectancy is out now, which you can listen to and purchase here. Be sure to follow @artsmittensyn on Instagram, and tune in to SYN 90.7FM every Wednesday at 4pm-6pm.

Rebecca is an Australian artist and educator, with a special focus on print-making, textiles and dyeing techniques. She has exhibited her work throughout Australia including the RMIT gallery and the Canberra Contemporary art space. Art Smitten host Mherhean spoke with Rebecca about the art exhibition titiled Above the Canopy at Town Hall Gallery. The exhibition showcases Australia’s diverse natural environment and its relationship to climate change, which is especially relevant now. Her work, along with many other artists is now showing. The exhibition is open until Saturday the 24th of September.  For more info click here. Be sure to follow @artsmittensyn on Instagram, and tune in to SYN 90.7FM every Wednesday at 4pm-6pm.

Sullivan Patten is a DJ, producer and curator who has worked in the arts industry for almost two decades, both in Australia and overseas. Headed by Sullivan is the upcoming winter music festival in St. Kilda, Southside Live. Southside Live will be taking place over 10 days, from Friday the 24th of June to Sunday the 3rd of July.  Grab a coat and some friend and go see some great Australian acts perform including Mitch Tambo, Hiatus Kayote, Adalita and Briggs this Winter! Click here for more info and to see the entire lineup. Be sure to follow @artsmittensyn on Instagram, and tune in to SYN 90.7FM every Wednesday at 4pm-6pm.

Penny Harpham is the executive Director of Western Edge - a not-for-profit arts organisation that works to create safe places for young artists in Melbourne’s west and give their work a platform.  Along with Tariro Mavondo, she co-directed the upcoming theatre/film hybrid work titiled The Retreat.  The Retreat was brought to life and written and performed by the Sub30 Collective. The Sub30 Collective are also the first ensemble of artists to go through the Level Up Professional Development Program at Western Edge. The Retreat will premiere this week, at 7pm on Friday the 10th of June at Wyndham Cultural Centre over in Weribee so make sure you check it out. Click here for more info and to book your tickets. Be sure to follow @artsmittensyn on Instagram, and tune in to SYN 90.7FM every Wednesday at 4pm-6pm.

A 'photomaker' of many years - Robert Earp honed his craft through film photography when he was a uni student and found himself exhibited in the National Gallery of Victoria with an image from only his third roll of film.  He took his unique conceptual photography to the commercial sector for many years, and has made his way full circle back to the art world. Here on Art Smitten, we spoke with him about his collaborative exhibition with artist and “glambassador of intersexuality”  Venus Tomarz.  The exhibition, titled Venus Virgin Tomarz is open from Tuesday the 24th of May to Saturday the 4th of June over at fortyfivedownstairs in Flinders Lane.  For more information, click here. Be sure to follow @artsmittensyn on Instagram, and tune in to SYN 90.7FM every Wednesday at 4pm-6pm.

Art Smitten hosts Rachael and Cristina had the pleasure of speaking with Richard Sowada, the director of the 2022 St Kilda Film Festival.  With decades of experience in the arts sector, Richard gave us some insight into the changing nature of film festivals today and how important it is to give young, emerging filmmakers a platform.  This year's St Kilda Film Festival runs from Friday the 27th of May to Sunday the 5th of June. Click here for more information on the festival and to book your tickets!  Be sure to follow @artsmittensyn on Instagram, and tune in to SYN 90.7FM every Wednesday at 4pm-6pm.

Art Smitten had the pleasure of speaking with photographer Marziya Mohammedali. They spoke about their protest photography and how it differs from written journalism, as well as how it influences the way they approach education. Marziya is currently studying for a PhD focusing on identity, activism and photography, at Edith Cowan University. Their photography work can be seen here.  Be sure to follow @artsmittensyn on Instagram, and tune in to SYN 90.7FM every Wednesday at 4pm-6pm.

Art Smitten host Chris had the absolute pleasure of speaking with comedian Aidan Jones. Inspired by his grandpa's antics and the fact that Aidan himself has been fired from 14 jobs in his life, Pap is his new and explosive comedy show.  Pap is showing every single night up until the 24th of April.  Click here for more information and to buy tickets.  Be sure to follow @artsmittensyn on Instagram, and tune in to SYN 90.7FM every Wednesday at 4pm-6pm.

Zaib Abbas is a student and one of the co-curators for Emergent 2021: VCE Graduate Showcase. The exhibition showcases the achievements of local students upon completing the VCE subjects: Studio Art, Media, Product Design and Technology, and Visual Communication and Design.  We spoke to Zaib about why she wanted to be part of it, how she and her fellow curators settled on the themes for the show and how they undertook the difficult job of deciding which students to showcase.  The exhibition runs from Saturday the 2nd of April to Saturday the 16th of April at Bunjil Place in Narre Warren.  For more information click here. Be sure to follow @artsmittensyn on Instagram, and tune in to SYN 90.7FM every Wednesday at 4pm-6pm.

Triple threat Ruby Teys speaks with Art Smitten host Nick all about starring in the upcoming show, Schapelle Schapelle: The Musical for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.  The high-energy musical comedy satirises the highly publicised, media sensationalised story surrounding Schapelle Corby and her arrest for drug-smuggling in Bali in 2005.  Schapelle Schapelle: The Musical is showing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival throughout April. Click here for tickets and more info.  Be sure to follow @artsmittensyn on Instagram, and tune in to SYN 90.7FM every Wednesday at 4pm-6pm.    

Art Smitten host Cristina spoke with cinematographer and editor Alana Tompson on her involvement with the Made in Rezza exhibition for FUSE Festival Darebin. She created short documentaries showcasing the featured artists within the exhibition, speaking about the need for local support of the arts.  For more info on the Made in Rezza exhibition, click here. Be sure to follow @artsmittensyn on Instagram, and tune in to SYN 90.7FM every Wednesday at 4pm-6pm.

Art Smitten host Nick had a great time speaking with comedian Floyd Alexander-Hunt whose upcoming show, Highly Strung will be showing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from 31 March to 24 April.  She spoke all about how she got started in comedy through studying law at university, and the awkward moments when her partner's family went to see her comedy show.  To get tickets to her show, click here. Be sure to follow @artsmittensyn on Instagram, and tune in to SYN 90.7FM every Wednesday at 4pm-6pm.  

Jazz You is holding a fundraiser to help support those involved in the Melbourne arts industry after suffering through 2 years of lockdowns and job insecurity. To support these performers and promote positive mental health, Jazz has organised a fundraiser with the hopes to raise $15,000 for the Arts Wellbeing Collective.  With loads of entertainment including comedian Frank Woodley and magician Tim Ellis, it is a night not to miss for a great cause. The fundraiser will be held this Friday the 18th of March, and you can get your tickets here.  You can also donate to their GoFundMe here.

Art Smitten host Cristina spoke with the incredible Jane Harrison - playwright (Stolen, The Visitors, Rainbow's End) and director of the upcoming First Nations Literary Festival, Blak & Bright.  She spoke about the need for Blak storytelling and connection to country, as well as the many great sessions to come, and her favourite books right now.  The Blak & Bright Festival takes place from 17-20 March in Naarm/Melbourne. Visit blakandbright.com.au for tickets and info. 

Host and co-executive producer Cristina spoke with Sharmini Kumar on her upcoming production Sense & Sensibility: The Musical. She spoke about why she chose to adapt this Jane Austen work, and how she weaves themes of colonialism and discovering our own individual value through her fresh perspective on the story. Sense & Sensibility: The Musical plays at The Gasworks Theatre from Wednesday 16 March to Sunday 20 March. Visit gasworks.org.au for tickets. 

Art Smitten host and comedy-lover Nick spoke with comedian Cameron James on his upcoming Comedy Festival show, Electric Dreams on his teenage band years - “Before I became a comedian, I wanted to be a f*%king rockstar". They spoke about how James got into comedy, their favourite early 2000s rock groups and some of his early sets that went awry. Cameron James will be performing Electric Dreams from 12-24 April at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Visit comedyfestival.com.au for tickets. 

This week on Art Smitten, hosts Nick, Mherhean, Cristina and Portia speak about our creative hobbies, experiences at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, what we've all be watching, and more.  Be sure to follow @artsmittensyn on Instagram, and tune in to SYN 90.7FM every Wednesday at 4pm-6pm.

Madeleine Martiniello spoke with Art Smitten's Cristina all about the filmmaking process behind her debut feature documentary, Palazzo di Cozzo, which features Australian furniture salesman and icon, Franco Cozzo. Madeleine is also set to speak at the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) in a session titled Cinematic Observations: the Craft of Capturing the Moment on Monday the 7th of March. The session also features Sascha Ettinger Epstein, Florian Habicht, and is moderated by Philippa Campey.  AIDC runs from 6-9 March. 

Art Smitten's Portia spoke with actress Annabelle Tudor about what it's like to play Titania in a musical adaptation of Shakespeare's iconic play, A Midsummer Night's Dream. The Melbourne Shakespeare Company production features hit tracks from Kylie Minogue, Missy Higgins, and Oasis.  The production plays at Central Park in Malvern from the 26th of Feb to the 13th of March. Tickets can be booked at melbourneshakespeare.com  

This week on Art Smitten we had Portia, Rachael, Nick, Mherhean and Cristina on to discuss their weekly favourites, their Valentine's Day plans and the Winter Olympics - including what it means to 'pull a Bradbury'.  Join us every Wednesday from 4-6pm to listen to our show alongside some great tunes!