The Art of... - Episode Guide

Season 1

Heartbreak

Episode: 1x01 | Airdate: Jun 4, 2024 (30 min)

Heartbreak

We've all experienced heartbreak, whether romantic, platonic or the death of a loved one. Namila wonders when it comes to getting over heartbreak is the answer in art? Features Josh Thomas, Emma Donovan and Celeste Mountjoy.

Being Imperfect

Episode: 1x02 | Airdate: Jun 11, 2024 (30 min)

Being Imperfect

Nobody's perfect, but can art help us accept our failures and shortcomings? Namila Benson asks powerhouse singer-songwriter Amanda Palmer, artists Yhonnie Scarce and Richard Lewer, and jazz musician Audrey Powne.

Masculinity

Episode: 1x03 | Airdate: Jun 18, 2024 (30 min)

Masculinity

Join guest host Courtney Act as she explores what masculinity looks like today. She meets with metal superstar Winston McCall from Parkway Drive, artist Billy Bain, Dame Mary Beard and the cheeky collective Briefs Factory.

Sex

Episode: 1x04 | Airdate: Jun 25, 2024 (30 min)

Sex

Join Namila Benson on a daring quest to explore why sex makes us uncomfortable. Featuring TV star and intimacy coordinator Michala Banas, artist Paul Yore, burlesque sensation Kitty Obsidian and ABC Classic's Vanessa Hughes.

Making a Difference

Episode: 1x05 | Airdate: Jul 2, 2024 (30 min)

Making a Difference

Join Namila Benson as she meets mavericks making change around the world. Featuring five-time Grammy Award winner Angelique Kidjo, singer-songwriter Kutcha Edwards, drag queen fashionista Bimini and educator Joris Lechene.

Rage

Episode: 1x06 | Airdate: Jul 9, 2024 (30 min)

Rage

Namila discovers rage can be a powerful motivator. Author Christos Tsiolkas, Archibald winner Del Kathryn Barton, comedian Nazeem Hussain and rapper Barkaa show how passion and fury paint a vivid picture of modern life.

Being Funny

Episode: 1x07 | Airdate: Jul 16, 2024 (30 min)

Being Funny

Namila Benson faces her greatest fear... stand-up comedy! Namila chats with comedian Shaun Micallef, comic Zainab Johnson, classicist Mary Beard, father/son duo Dane and Bow Simpson and political satirist Badiucao.

Climate

Episode: 1x08 | Airdate: Jul 23, 2024 (30 min)

Climate

Zoe Norton Lodge and Namila Benson want to know if art can help our climate. With OITNB star Yael Stone, artist Ghenoa Gela, sculptor Megan Cope's living eco solution and artist Jessie French's extraordinary "plastic".

Hair

Episode: 1x09 | Airdate: Aug 13, 2024 (30 min)

Hair

From mullets to afros, Namila Benson wants to know why we're so obsessed with hair. She seeks answers with artist Patricia Piccinini, top model Duckie Thot, hair sculptor Zena Thiboult and at Mullet Fest.

Starting Over

Episode: 1x10 | Airdate: Aug 20, 2024 (30 min)

Starting Over

How do we start over when life takes us back to square one? Guest host Osher Gunsberg seeks answers from ex-Wiggle Emma Watkins, AFL legend turned painter Gavin Wanganeen and comedian Sam Kissajukian.

Motherhood

Episode: 1x11 | Airdate: Aug 27, 2024 (30 min)

Motherhood

Namila explores how art can help us understand motherhood. Featuring artist Atong Atem, writer and podcaster Elizabeth Day, Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich of Camp Cope, Mother of the House Of Alexander Ella Ganza and Prof. Mary Beard.

Food

Episode: 1x12 | Airdate: Sep 3, 2024 (35 min)

Food

Guest host Matt Preston wonders 'Can food be art'? For answers, he meets chocolatier Kirsten Tibballs, chef Ben Shewry, glass artist Jenni Kemarre Martiniello and ventures to Indonesia to see an ancient cave painting.

Ageing

Episode: 1x13 | Airdate: Sep 10, 2024 (35 min)

Ageing

Approaching a significant milestone birthday, podcaster and author, Yumi Stynes is seeking inspiration for her "next act". Instead of relaxing into old age and resting on her laurels, Yumi craves growth, expansion and wisdom.

Sport

Episode: 1x14 | Airdate: Sep 17, 2024 (30 min)

Sport

Former Matilda Elise Kellond-Knight wonders if she can channel her sport obsession into an art obsession. To find out she visits surfer and painter Otis Hope Carey, AFL photographer Michael Willson and more.

Money

Episode: 1x15 | Airdate: Sep 24, 2024 (30 min)

Money

Daniel Browning (RN's The Art Show) asks why we're uncomfortable discussing money, particularly when it comes to art. With artists Michael Zavros, Kay Abude, Richard Bell and Andrei Molodkin - who held hostage art worth $45m.

Season 2

Magic

Episode: 2x01 | Airdate: Oct 28, 2025 (29 min)

Magic

Namila Benson & Zoe Norton Lodge ask when it comes to magic should we solve or savour it? With Grammy winner Jacob Collier, mentalist Lawrence Leung, designer Marg Horwell, artist Hayley Millar-Baker & a tiny lab-grown brain.

 

Winning

Episode: 2x02 | Airdate: Oct 28, 2025 (29 min)

Winning

Do we care too much about winning? To find out, Namila Benson enters a unique competition and talks to artists Abdul Abdullah, Jamie Cooper, Woopsyang and musician Nooky.

Looking Good

Episode: 2x03 | Airdate: Oct 28, 2025 (29 min)

Looking Good

"Why are we so fixated on looking good?" Artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran seeks answers from photographer William Yang, model and mentor Elaine George, artist Joan Ross and choreographer Kelly Abbey.

The Inner Child

Episode: 2x04 | Airdate: Oct 28, 2025 (27 min)

The Inner Child

On a journey to discover what happened to her inner child, Namila Benson seeks advice from beloved painter Ken Done, award winning ceramicist Glenn Barkley and mischievous puppeteers The Snuff Puppets.

Space

Episode: 2x05 | Airdate: Oct 28, 2025 (29 min)

Space

Star Trek actor and artist Jess Bush asks "Can we go into space without messing it up?" For answers, Jess talks to musician Stev Kilbey, as well as artists Serwah Attafuah, Amos Gebhardt and Shirween Taweel.

Taboo

Episode: 2x06 | Airdate: Oct 28, 2025 (29 min)

Taboo

In The Art of Taboo, we meet "Piss Christ" artist Andres Serrano, our rep at the 2026 Venice Biennale Khaled Sabsabi, as well as artists Sam Peterson, Latai Taumopeou and curator Sione Francis. Guest hosted by Brook Andrew.

Memory

Episode: 2x07 | Airdate: Oct 28, 2025 (29 min)

Memory

Namila Benson meets artists Laurie Anderson, Aretha Brown and comedian Alok. Feel the power of music with Aaron Choulai and Tatana Village Choir and Rewire Musical Memories Choir for people living with dementia.

 

Home

Episode: 2x08 | Airdate: Oct 28, 2025 (29 min)

Home

Namila travels back to PNG for 50 years of Independence and explores the diaspora experience with artists Grace Dlabik, Wendy Mocke, Lesley Wengembo and musicians including Airileke, Sprigga Mek and Yirrumul.

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