Art

Many years in the making, The Secret Kingdom, was released into Aussie cinemas in April, in a triumph for its writer, producer and director, Matt Drummond. The film tells the story of anxious Peter (12) and his sister Verity (9), taken underground by a garrison of pangolin. Matt was Director of Photography, Producer, Writer, Visual Effects artist and Director. 

Ugandan music faces tough competition from West Africa, South Africa, and occasionally, Tanzanians, Kenyans and Rwandans. It always feels like every time I'm tuning back into the 256, many people on the internet are crying to promoters to bring some new Naija kid on the block.

The eyes of the art world turn to Hong Kong this week as colour, creativity and vibrancy descend upon the city for the arts and culture scene. Headlined by large-scale fairs Art Basel Hong Kong and Art Central, the globally renowned celebration of arts and culture sees a suite of top events, encounters and experiences taking place throughout the city, showcasing Hong Kong’s thriving creative landscape while reinforcing its position as a global cultural hub.

Surf-rocker Bobby Holmes has released his first music single “Surfing the Swell,” (available on all streaming platforms) just after his performance on the resurrected Australian Idol. Having recently finished High School, Bobby Holmes is now primarily focused on his musical career, and is already performing at venues on the Gold Coast, in Brisbane and surrounds.

Australia’s arts and culture think tank, A New Approach (ANA), has announced Astrid Jorgensen, the founding director of Pub Choir, and acclaimed dancer and choreographer Daniel Riley, a Wiradjuri man, will join the ANA Board as Associates in 2023. Astrid Jorgensen is a Brisbane-based conductor, composer, producer, and presenter. She is the founding director of Pub Choir and Couch Choir. Whether on stage, TV, radio, or online, Astrid’s approach to accessible music-making has been viewed by millions worldwide and has seen her collaborate with musical greats such as The Rolling Stones, Paul Kelly and Neil Finn.

Serendipity Arts announced its vision to bring the arts to life through a cutting-edge arts and culture centre, that will connects the world to the arts, and its transformational power. THE BRIJ will dedicate space and resources to create art that is transformational and meaningful. Serendipity Arts also hopes to spark conversations around the arts across the South Asian region worldwide, assimilating regional flavours, traditions, and cultures, while also building a sustainable artistic ecosystem. The upcoming institution is named after and pays homage to late Mr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal, Indian industrialist and visionary, Mr. Sunil Kant Munjal’s father.

The Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival (the Arts Festival) is a three-year arts project organised by Tourism Commission, supported by Hong Kong Geopark and curated by One Bite Design Studio. The first year of the Arts Festival is held from 16 Nov. 2022 to 15 January 2023. To leverage the successful integration of arts with the island under the first edition the Yim Tin Tsai Arts Festival, the Arts Festival will extend to the vast Sai Kung Hoi, with Yim Tin Tsai as the centre and reaching out to Sharp Island, Kau Sai Chau and High Island. Through the Arts Festival, themed as “Joy Again, Isle”, visitors would meet and experience the healing power of arts through visits to the isles; and enjoy the fun of art tour through island hopping.

Presented by First Initiative Foundation (FIF) and supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, "TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK" is on view until 1 January 2023. The public art exhibition is located next to the Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower. The exhibition features renowned American artist WhIsBe's largest art piece, a giant red sculpture standing over eight metres high.

teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka is a botanical garden by day, and an art space by night, created by art collective teamLab, known for their record-breaking museum teamLab Borderless. Unveiled over the summer at Nagai Botanical Garden in Osaka, teamLab Botanical Garden is their latest open-air museum that begins to glow as the sun sets.

Sydney-based mixed reality studio Start Beyond has partnered with Orange City Council’s Youth Services to deliver a virtual art trail exhibit showcasing art works by young locals. The AR-t Walk (Augmented Reality Walk), launched in the NSW country town this year to encourage connectedness, after the council’s Youth Services recognised that young people felt disconnected from the city and older generations. Local young artists were engaged to provide works and discuss the themes of tolerance, inclusion, diversity and togetherness.