The October 29 Edition
Creating Sydney Modern, Australia’s latest cultural landmark | Wendy Whiteley on art, life and why she doesn’t paint | Actor Virginia Gay on her mum’s valuable advice | Writer Charmian Clift and the Greek island of Kalymnos | Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s giant trolls, hiding in WA | A great romance, by Miles Franklin winner Alex Miller | The hell that is choosing a colour to paint your walls | Why reading the classics can be overrated
It took hundreds of hours to build this giant troll – so why did the artist hide it?
Danish artist Thomas Dambo builds giant wooden trolls from recycled wood. He’s now hiding them in the Western Australian bush.
- Barry Divola
Very modern, so Sydney: The inside story on building the AGNSW’s sparkling new wing
Creative differences. Capital challenges. Climate crises. And of course, COVID-19. It’s been some journey creating Sydney Modern.
- Katrina Strickland and Linda Morris
Writer Charmian Clift, her biographer and one surprising, Aussie-linked Greek island
In 1954, when Australian writer Charmian Clift swapped her London life to live on Kalymnos, she discovered an intriguing culture that remains, decades on.
- Nadia Wheatley
Colour me crazy: Does anyone really need 2200 shades of paint?
Hog Bristle. Tomahawk. Grassy Knoll. Cosmic Aura. Choosing a colour to paint your walls can rob you of the will to live.
- Jane Cadzow
‘Everybody’s an artist now’: Wendy Whiteley on life, death and why she doesn’t paint
The 81-year-old artist muses on her marriage to the late Brett Whiteley, her much-loved public garden and being a feminist survivor.
- Ashleigh Wilson
Did Tolstoy really need 783 pages to get Anna Karenina to the train station?
Who decides what makes a book a classic – and what does it say about us if we don’t enjoy it?
- Tim Elliott
‘Not a word of conversation – we kissed’: Novelist Alex Miller’s own love story
The love between Alex Miller and his university academic wife Stephanie started wordlessly when they met in 1975 – and saw them through a mysterious illness.
- Amanda Hooton
‘She was absolutely right’: Actor Virginia Gay on her mother’s valuable advice
The actor, writer and director discusses what her mother taught her, dealing with cancelled shows in lockdown, and learning to love her “phenomenal” body.
- Benjamin Law
The art of war: Ukraine’s stamps of approval on Russian setbacks
Ukraine’s post office is finding a fresh way to commemorate victories against Russia.
- Sally Rawlings
Good Weekend Talks: ‘Art now is therapy, art is entertainment’ – Wendy Whiteley in conversation
In this episode of Good Weekend Talks, the former wife of late artist Brett talks about art, her own output and the 1960s’ sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll scene.
Arty party: All-Australian artisanal gift guide
Fun, desirable and locally made: artisan wares in zesty colours and earthy tones.
- Frances Mocnik
- Opinion
- Opinion
What makes the Finns so happy? (Hint: it’s not the weather)
Recently named the happiest country in the world for the fifth year running, it’s clear that Finland is doing something right.
- Amelia Lester
Trick or turnip: Can you have a happy Halloween if you’re vegan?
Our Modern Guru offers some creative suggestions for ethical, vegan Halloweening.
- Danny Katz
Is it acceptable for a waiter to taste your wine before they bring it to you?
This practice isn’t unusual – but why?
- Huon Hooke
Drought breaker
Paul Connolly’s Kitchen Sink Drama is a slice of domestic life, captured masterfully in only 100 words. This week: The floodgates open.
- Paul Connolly
Danielle Alvarez’s rack of lamb with charred snap peas
Spring is the best time of year to be eating lamb and it’s especially good when topped with garlic and tarragon butter and accompanied by sweet, charred snap peas and potatoes.
- 1-2 hrs
- Danielle Alvarez
Karen Martini’s roast pumpkin soup
The sweetness of pumpkin works so well with the gentle warmth of ginger and subtle hint of curry. Roasting it first also deepens and enriches the flavour.
- 1-2 hrs
- Karen Martini
- Review
- Sydney
Sydney: Porkfat
Oh my! I don’t think I’ve had a more satisfying dish all year, writes Callan Boys, of this venue’s signature vermicelli prawns.
- Callan Boys
- Review
- Melbourne
Melbourne: Tartine
This Richmond newcomer may not be the exact French bistro of my dreams, but it's not far off, writes Besha Rodell.
- Besha Rodell
Other editions
The March 21 edition
Stephanie Alexander and The Cook’s Companion at 30 | Free-diver Ant Williams | Debra Adelaide and Gabrielle Carey | How to deliver a baby on a plane
- 11 stories
The March 14 edition
The high-strung, low-key world champ who could become our most-capped swimmer | Ukraine’s world-leading robotics work | Filmmaking at -50C | Consoling a friend
- 13 stories