For some reason that I can't quite explain - a sudden rush to the head methinks - I agreed to be part of a panel being organised by the ACT Writers Centre for this year's Design Canberra Festival. The panel, called The Constructive Critic, was described as a unique panel discussion about art criticism across … Continue reading The Constructive Critic (Panel discussion)
Arts criticism
On understanding the arts
Earlier this year I wrote a post about reading difficult literature. I said that I like to be challenged by literature, and discussed the features that define "difficulty" for me. Since then I've come across various statements, some contradictory, about the role of "difficulty" in the arts - and I thought I'd share them with … Continue reading On understanding the arts
Monday musings on Australian literature: Pascall Prize
The Pascall Prize is one of those under-the-radar sorts of awards, that is, one that tends not to get much general press. However, that doesn't mean it's not significant. In fact, I've had it in my list of topics for a couple of years but, having mentioned in my David Malouf birthday post last week … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Pascall Prize
The Role of the Arts Critic: a Childers Group Public Roundtable
Last week, I reorganised my Friday Lunch Group's schedule in order to attend a public roundtable on the role of the arts critic organised by the Childers Group. This group, formed in late 2011, describes itself as an "independent arts forum ... committed to the long-term viability and vitality of the arts". It aims to … Continue reading The Role of the Arts Critic: a Childers Group Public Roundtable
Whispering Gums 