Art Smitten

For our first episode of season 3, we are kicking things off with a discussion about the rise of AI in art 📟 Afrina asked local art students for their opinion on the use of AI and the team shared their own perception of the ever-changing tool and its place in creativity. Astra shares his review of the film ‘The Man Who Sleeps’ (1974) directed by Bernand Queysanne to wrap up this episo...

In this episode, we had a chat with FortyFiveDownstairs all about their annual Emerging Artist Award! 🏆We were fortunate to be joined by Felix Oliver, 2024 Winner, and learnt more about the process and story behind their winning piece 🙌 Listen in to hear details about the selection process and the aims of the award opportunity. @fortyfivedownstairs @felix0liver 🎧 Art Smitten airs on SYN 90.7fm...

This special episode features a panel discussion with @un_projects  (AU) and  @pilotmagazined (UK)  @ngvmelbourne for Melbourne Art Book Fair! 📚 We spoke about all things publications - finding out what it takes to create a lasting magazine in our increasingly digital age. This conversation took place live at 1–2pm on Sunday the 18th of May 🗓️ Moderated by Audrey Merton, Exec...

Jen and Zeta are joined by Alta Forma's Director Meredith Turnbull on this episode of Art Smitten. ⛓️ Located on St Kilda Rd, Alta Forma supports artists who work in expanded object and jewellery practices to create experimental and socially engaged projects. ⛓️‍💥 Listen in to hear about the specialties of curating object-based artworks and the vision for this space! @_altaforma_ @merecatu Ar...

For our final episode of season 1, we’re keen to chat with two writers who participated in the Mass Memo program in 2024! Mass Memo is an annual opportunity for young arts writers to review fine art, architecture and fashion graduate shows across Melbourne. Hosted by Memo 📝 it’s a wonderful chance for young graduates to be published - Jen and Audrey both participated in previous itter...

To kick off season 2, we spoke to curator Emmy Robinson-Shaw and artist Celline Mercado, featured in DEBUT XXI. At BLINDSIDE gallery, DEBUT is an annual project committed to fostering new talent by exhibiting works of recent graduates from Melbourne’s major art institutions. 🎨 We will also be airing a new interview segment by our presenter and editor Nic called Street Art! 🎙️ Nic spoke to A...

This episode we had a great chat with WET Collective about their exhibition at BLINDSIDE💦 ‘Cruising’ is a gallery activation playing with hospitality, the queer body and the illicit. WET will be providing a food service during the opening as well as two performances over the weekend. We are very thankful to have heard a bit more about this program and the artists involved— hope...

For our first episode of 2025, we are very excited to share with you our interview with artist, collector and curator Patrick Pound Patrick’s exhibition ‘The Museum of Falling’ was shown at City Gallery in the Melbourne Town Hall on Swanston St. Listen to hear them speak about the beginnings of this project, their artistic process and how they gained access to the City of Melbour...

In this episode, we spoke to Kirsty Grant and Trent Walter all about the founding and future of the new Melbourne Art Print Fair. Running from the 7th to the 9th of February,  @melbartprintfair Edition.1 was chock-full of amazing prints by local artists, highlighting print in its fine art form. Participating print studios and publishers included Baldessin Press, Kaleidoscope Editions, Megalo...

This episode we are joined by Melanie Oliver (Senior Curator) to discuss the current exhibition at MUMA - Image Economies 📽️ 🤳🏼 Image Economies traces how artists have used digital technologies over recent history, from exploring reproducibility and authenticity to the contemporary applications of AI and machine learning. Through a variety of mediums, the exhibiting artists explore themes of mat...

Join local arts and culture radio Art Smitten of SYN Media for an exclusive deep-dive into Blindside's history! Blindside is a long-standing artist-run initiative in the heart of our city, and we're keen to celebrate their 20th anniversary by giving you insight into Blindside’s foundations, and the creative community networks behind the gallery. Presented in two parts, these special segments...

Joining us in the studio for this episode of Art Smitten was Camilla Hannan, co-creator ‘The Waiting Room’ that premiered at The Capitol Theatre on November 9th, 2024. Along with Martine Corompt, these two artists united for a special one-off immersive theatrical event in ‘The Waiting Room’, where the audience will share the joy of anticipation, the pleasure of expectation,...

For our last interview of the 2024 season, we were joined by the new National Communication Museum (NCM). We spoke with Dr Emily Siddons, Co-CEO and Artistic Director of NCM, who told us all about their exciting new program and exhibitions. NCM showcases nostalgic communication artefacts, exploring how new and old technologies have changed our lives over the years. Art Smitten airs on SYN Radio 90...

Art Smitten airs on SYN Radio 90.7 FM SYN Media acknowledges and pays respect to the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nations on whose unceded lands the SYN office and studios stand.  SYN and the Art Smitten team would like to further acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the Lands and Waters across Australia where our con...

In this episode we were fortunate to be joined by artist Rochelle Morris to talk about their exhibition at Trocadero Projects! ‘Turning Soil’ is an exploration of the potential of ecological art at a painterly scale. The use of organic materials within the exhibition open up a conversation on our relationship and responsibilities to nature and our environment. Art Smitten airs on SYN R...

This week, we were lucky to chat with Sophia Cai, Director of Bus Projects! Bus Projects is a long-term ARI based in our city, and has recently been showing some amazing artists – including some that we interviewed previously this year. Sophia talks about how Bus operates, her role and the journey that led her to becoming the director. Art Smitten airs on SYN Radio 90.7 FM SYN Media acknowle...

This week we spoke in-depth with Kaiqi from Betweenia Project 夾洲計劃 ! Kai joined us for the end of our live show at Melbourne Art Book Fair earlier in the year, and we’re very interested to hear what Betweenia has been up to since then! Betweenia Project is an art book and zine distributor bringing a collection of zines, publications and DIY content here to Naarm. Art Smitten airs on SYN...

Jen and Lucy had a great chat with lead artists and co-facilitators Zeth Cameron and Matisse Laida all about the programs run at SIGNAL. Tucked away beside the Birrarung river that flows near Flinders Street Station, a centuries old Train Signal Box is the meeting place for many of Melbourne’s young creatives. SIGNAL is a wonderful City of Melbourne initiative that provides young people a pl...

Joining Jen and Audrey in this episode of Art Smitten is artist Skye Malu Baker to discuss their current show at TCB in Brunswick. ‘A R TH ~ air and light, dust and earth’ draws from half-remembered internet posts and out of date art history books in a series of imagined painted landscapes. Skye touches on the act of 'redigesting' in her practice, material limits and interest in optics...

For this episode of Art Smitten, our guest host Teagan Ramsay interviews artist and creative producer Phoebe Thompson. Phoebe discusses their practice and process in relation to their most recent exhibition, touching on collecting debris, and site-specificity. They will also speak about their upcoming exhibition and the direction of their work, while providing insight into their work as a Creative...

**Content Warning: This episodes contains discussion of sexual assault and mental illness. If you ever need help, you are not alone. You can speak to someone at Lifeline (13 11 14) or at 1800RESPECT.** In this episode, Lucy and Jennifer spoke with Naarm/Melbourne based creative practitioner Bridget H. Gurrie. Bridget uses textile processes as a means for self-reflection and to conceptual explore t...

In this episode, Lucy and Jennifer will be chatting to the people behind SCRAP MAG - the unofficial zine of VCA. We will be discussing how SCRAP MAG came to be, the importance of student-led publishing, and the work that is to be done. Excited to share with you all, and a big thanks to Lia, Ella and Ingrid for joining us! Art Smitten airs on SYN 90.7 FM SYN Media acknowledges and pays respect to t...

In this episode of Art Smitten, Audrey is joined by Nour and Phoebe from Unassigned Gallery in Brunswick discussing the origins of the gallery, the ethos of their programming and upcoming exhibitions including 'Exhibition for ants 2.0' Art Smitten airs on SYN Radio 90.7 FM SYN Media acknowledges and pays respect to the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin...

I really enjoyed chatting with the people behind HAIR, a new artist-run initiative on Elizabeth Street! We talked all about the space, their plans for the gallery and the kind of events and exhibitions they are hosting. Check them out on Instagram - @hair__ari Art Smitten airs on SYN Radio 90.7 FM SYN Media acknowledges and pays respect to the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language gr...

I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Chris Orr recently, a local established artist. Chris has worked and studied in graphic design, and uses these principles in his work. Chris creates digital manipulations that focus on objects and are often series centred around a particular theme.  Chris’ most recent exhibition was this year, at fortyfivedownstairs here in Naarm / Melbourne in April. T...