AustLit

'A landmark Queensland Theatre adaptation of Trent Dalton’s debut novel, Boy Swallows Universe, is already breaking box office records, writes ROSEMARY NEILL ' 

As the Archibald Prize turns 100, Hollywood star Rachel Griffiths explores the art award’s colourful – and racially controversial – past, writes ROSEMARY NEILL

'Revered Indigenous singer-songwriter Gurrumul left behind a trove of unreleased works that will come to light through a bold new deal, writes Rosemary Neill That high tenor voice could stop you in your tracks: at once achingly tender and deeply powerful, it resonated with listeners from Sting and Elton John to members of the Gumatj clan on Elcho Island, off the Arnhem Land coast.' (Introduction)

'A new book tells the “death-defying” story of a Melbourne Jewish family who survived the Holocaust – partly through clowning, writes Rosemary Neill When Mindla Horowitz announced that she wanted to marry a circus performer, her father was far from impressed. “A clown is not a husband … nothing good comes from a clown,’’ he declared.' (Introduction)

'Ronnie Scott founded a high-profile literary magazine at 21. Now 34, his debut novel is a social comedy set in Melbourne’s gay community.'

'Botanical artist and ‘intrepid female explorer’ Ellis Rowan was once a household name. Now, a new biography is bringing her neglected paintings to new generations, writes ROSEMARY NEILL'

'As the coronavirus pandemic spreads, the cultural industry is reeling from a wave of cancellations and postponements that could ultimately cripple some companies.'

'One of the nation's best-known media dynasties comes under the microscope in a new play, writes Rosemary Neill' 

'Celebrating 50 years of QTC, Stables and the people's playwright, David Williamson'

'Australian literature and broader humanities research has been “distorted” by a university system that was “forcing” academics “to seek international perspectives on their work”, and which rated their articles in overseas journals more highly than their books, reviews or newspaper articles, an expert has warned.' (Introduction)

'Albert Namatjira is cherished but strict copyright stifles his legacy

'In the 1940s and early 50s, Australia could not get enough of Aboriginal landscape painter Albert Namatjira. The former cameleer and initiated Aranda man from central Australia was the subject of three documentaries, his exhibitions sold out regularly and he was presented to the Queen during the 1954 royal tour.

'Yet the father of the modern Aboriginal art movement was 54 before he was quietly granted citizenship (along with his wife Robina and four other Northern Territory Aborigines) on May 13, 1957. Once he became a citizen, Namatjira could travel without government permission, drink ­alcohol legally and transact business deals for the first time.' (Introduction)