essays
Christopher Hodges on how the Papunya Tula Artists changed the face of Australian art.
The Book and Its Time by Ivor Indyk
A case of sex, murder and mesmerism brings the Age of Sensation to Australia.
As a young journalist in 1989 Sonya Voumard moved to Queensland, and discovered a strange and unfamiliar land
Gabriella Coslovich finds Catholic influence and Indigenous heritage merge in the art of Balgo
Rachel Buchanan learns to read the many moods of the road.
Mark Willacy writes from a Japan still on edge after Fukushima.
Jane Grant on the life, legacy and influence of Sam Goldberg.
Helen Camakaris on how our evolutionary instincts are shaping our future on the planet.
Lili Wilkinson on why teenagers today are the first generation of true readers.
Richard King on the ever-increasing power of ‘offendedness’ in public debate.
Tony Birch on the writing of his new novel, Blood.
Following Bryan Keon-Cohen’s memoir, Nonie Sharp reflects upon the beginnings of the Mabo case.
Simon Crean talks to Sally Heath about the National Cultural Policy and the state of the Arts in Australia
Marcia Langton on the history and future of recognising Indigenous Australians in our Constitution.
A collection of poetry, audio, photography and discussion around the idea of collaboration.
Laurie Oakes speaks at the launch of Alex Mitchell’s Come the Revolution
Owen Richardson on Gig Ryan’s New and Selected Poems.
Mran-Maree Laing stays up one sweltering Sydney night and learns to live with the heat
Peter Timms on the modern Wunderkammer that is MONA.
Alexis Wright on the Deep Weather of 2010 and what it can teach about this land.
Damon Young on the devilish art of biography.
Michael Giacometti looks at the state of Indigenous publishing.
Peter Craven talks Foster Wallace, Eugenides and ‘The Marriage Plot’.
Simone Ubaldi puts her cynicism aside and reflects on the Ten Principles of the Burning Man Festival.
Sally Heath talks to Robyn Nevin, Pamela Rabe and Aidan Fennessy about the MTC’s 2012 season
Sam Cooney discusses the many joys of editing young writers.
Who is that guy in the mirror, wonders Bob Charles
Richard Flanagan on why true the novelist transcends politics, even their own.
So close to home: Sophie Cunningham, Delia Falconer, Peter Timms, Kerryn Goldsworthy, Matthew Condon and Paul Daley discuss the process of writing the ‘cities’ series.
Alex Miller reflects on his new novel, Autumn Laing and the people who inspired it.
Maria Tumarkin meditates on a case of moral bankruptcy in the academic jungle
Jeff Sparrow looks at how violence is used to foster public unity in the US.
After the digital revolution, the passion for music remains, writes Simon Groth
Ktima Heathcote finds literary culture in Tennant Creek alive and well
Les Murray reflects on an original and disobedient telling of the national experience.
Thomas Keneally considers the capaciousness of the garden of our national identity
Henry Skerritt considers the memory of one man’s achievement.
Brad Nguyen confronts the terrifying image of his own inevitable death and finds it to be Justin Bieber
Guy Rundle makes a case for considering pornography on the scale of human sexuality.
Julieanne Lamond looks at Australian literary values and whether they place women as outsiders.
Stephanie Honor Convery traces the complexities of Indigenous storytelling.
Mel Campbell takes the ‘Naipaul test’.
Mandy Brett reflects on the joys, sorrows and hard slog of being an editor.