Steve Dow
@dowsteve.bsky.social
Arts journalo, everywhere I go - Guardian, Saturday Paper, The Monthly, Sunday Life, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Art Guide Australia, Limelight, Vault, Meanjin. http://stevedow.com.au/default.aspx
Pinned
Hope, heart and home leads at the National Indigenous Art Triennial: ‘We are going through a stage of enlightenment’
Curated by Tony Albert, After the Rain at the National Gallery of Australia explores cultural and familial legacies two years on from the referendum
www.theguardian.com
I interviewed curator Tony Albert and artists Warraba Weatherall, Thea Anamara Perkins and Dylan Mooney about the 5th Indigenous Art Triennial opening at the National Gallery of Australia tomorrow. I walked through the exhibition, which speaks of renewal and hope:
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
“As we’re in a so-called ceasefire, here is where we set the ground for the journey of the next 10 years, so that it is truly the anti-apartheid civil rights movement of our time.”
I talk to Khalid Abdalla about his one-man play Nowhere, coming to Sydney Festival
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
I talk to Khalid Abdalla about his one-man play Nowhere, coming to Sydney Festival
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
‘An Arab in a post-9/11 world’: Khalid Abdalla’s one-man play about belonging comes to Australia
In Nowhere, The Crown actor interweaves personal experience and family history with commentary on western colonialism and the Israel-Gaza war
www.theguardian.com
December 29, 2025 at 6:08 PM
“As we’re in a so-called ceasefire, here is where we set the ground for the journey of the next 10 years, so that it is truly the anti-apartheid civil rights movement of our time.”
I talk to Khalid Abdalla about his one-man play Nowhere, coming to Sydney Festival
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
I talk to Khalid Abdalla about his one-man play Nowhere, coming to Sydney Festival
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
I interviewed French theatre maker and choral storyteller Caroline Guiela Nguyen about her play Lacrima, a tale of a bridal gown and the unseen sweat of lacemakers and embroiderers, coming to Sydney and Perth festivals, for Limelight magazine's Jan/Feb issue: limelight-arts.com.au/features/cho...
December 19, 2025 at 2:40 AM
I interviewed French theatre maker and choral storyteller Caroline Guiela Nguyen about her play Lacrima, a tale of a bridal gown and the unseen sweat of lacemakers and embroiderers, coming to Sydney and Perth festivals, for Limelight magazine's Jan/Feb issue: limelight-arts.com.au/features/cho...
This year, playwright Jordan Shea threw down a challenge: how many Australian voices are yet to be heard on main stages?
I preview the 2026 seasons for Limelight's Jan/Feb issue, searching for homegrown voices and those rare playwright debuts in the big spaces: limelight-arts.com.au/features/sea...
I preview the 2026 seasons for Limelight's Jan/Feb issue, searching for homegrown voices and those rare playwright debuts in the big spaces: limelight-arts.com.au/features/sea...
December 19, 2025 at 1:20 AM
This year, playwright Jordan Shea threw down a challenge: how many Australian voices are yet to be heard on main stages?
I preview the 2026 seasons for Limelight's Jan/Feb issue, searching for homegrown voices and those rare playwright debuts in the big spaces: limelight-arts.com.au/features/sea...
I preview the 2026 seasons for Limelight's Jan/Feb issue, searching for homegrown voices and those rare playwright debuts in the big spaces: limelight-arts.com.au/features/sea...
Why are most news outlets failing to make Trump’s evident mental illness a top priority in their coverage?
His lack of impulse control worsens by the day. Stomach churning.
His lack of impulse control worsens by the day. Stomach churning.
Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer were murdered. This is how Trump decided to respond.
December 15, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Why are most news outlets failing to make Trump’s evident mental illness a top priority in their coverage?
His lack of impulse control worsens by the day. Stomach churning.
His lack of impulse control worsens by the day. Stomach churning.
A preview here of the Namatjira room at the 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial opening at the National Gallery of Australia.
A collaboration including 57 artists from Namatjira's family and community, it features a beautiful glasshouse reproduction of Namatjira's house, which still stands today.
A collaboration including 57 artists from Namatjira's family and community, it features a beautiful glasshouse reproduction of Namatjira's house, which still stands today.
December 4, 2025 at 7:37 PM
A preview here of the Namatjira room at the 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial opening at the National Gallery of Australia.
A collaboration including 57 artists from Namatjira's family and community, it features a beautiful glasshouse reproduction of Namatjira's house, which still stands today.
A collaboration including 57 artists from Namatjira's family and community, it features a beautiful glasshouse reproduction of Namatjira's house, which still stands today.
It’s the eyes that greet you first as you pop out of the elevator on the second floor of the National Gallery of Australia.
Instantly, I was smitten. Who was she, among these luminaries. I needed to know.
Instantly, I was smitten. Who was she, among these luminaries. I needed to know.
December 2, 2025 at 12:13 AM
It’s the eyes that greet you first as you pop out of the elevator on the second floor of the National Gallery of Australia.
Instantly, I was smitten. Who was she, among these luminaries. I needed to know.
Instantly, I was smitten. Who was she, among these luminaries. I needed to know.
I took a walk with actor and novelist Bryan Brown around his beloved Balmain. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Bryan Brown: ‘I found rejection quite easy because I’d been a salesman’
The actor and crime novelist on telling stories, not slowing down and the lessons his mother taught him
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:06 PM
I took a walk with actor and novelist Bryan Brown around his beloved Balmain. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Reposted by Steve Dow
Don’t be evil, Google, opting everyone’s Gmail into automatic scanning by your AI arm.
I smell a massive lawsuit.
www.huffpost.com/entry/opt-ou...
I smell a massive lawsuit.
www.huffpost.com/entry/opt-ou...
If You Use Gmail, You're Going To Want To Turn Off This 1 Automatic Setting ASAP
Plus: a quick guide to the two-step process for opting out.
www.huffpost.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Don’t be evil, Google, opting everyone’s Gmail into automatic scanning by your AI arm.
I smell a massive lawsuit.
www.huffpost.com/entry/opt-ou...
I smell a massive lawsuit.
www.huffpost.com/entry/opt-ou...
Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was restrained, injected with a fatal overdose and dismembered.
Trump tries to rationalise this act saying Khashoggi was "extremely controversial" and dismissing the outlet asking the question as "fake news".
Wake up, America. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump tries to rationalise this act saying Khashoggi was "extremely controversial" and dismissing the outlet asking the question as "fake news".
Wake up, America. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump shrugs off Khashoggi murder during Saudi prince’s White House visit
US president also claims Mohammed bin Salman ‘knew nothing’ about murder of journalist
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was restrained, injected with a fatal overdose and dismembered.
Trump tries to rationalise this act saying Khashoggi was "extremely controversial" and dismissing the outlet asking the question as "fake news".
Wake up, America. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump tries to rationalise this act saying Khashoggi was "extremely controversial" and dismissing the outlet asking the question as "fake news".
Wake up, America. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
They cheered the horse and booed the consul. #WhitlamDismissal www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqes...
Sir John Kerr Drunk At The Melbourne Cup (1/11/77)
YouTube video by Malcolm Farnsworth
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:13 AM
They cheered the horse and booed the consul. #WhitlamDismissal www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqes...
Finally, after the collapse in new Oz drama …
Fed Govt to introduce a Bill to “mandate streaming services with more than one million Australian subscribers … to invest at least 10 per cent of their total expenditure for Australia – or 7.5 per cent of their revenue – on new local … programs”.
Fed Govt to introduce a Bill to “mandate streaming services with more than one million Australian subscribers … to invest at least 10 per cent of their total expenditure for Australia – or 7.5 per cent of their revenue – on new local … programs”.
November 4, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Finally, after the collapse in new Oz drama …
Fed Govt to introduce a Bill to “mandate streaming services with more than one million Australian subscribers … to invest at least 10 per cent of their total expenditure for Australia – or 7.5 per cent of their revenue – on new local … programs”.
Fed Govt to introduce a Bill to “mandate streaming services with more than one million Australian subscribers … to invest at least 10 per cent of their total expenditure for Australia – or 7.5 per cent of their revenue – on new local … programs”.
I had a yarn with Madeline Li, midway through her three-month Australian tour of 26 venues as Juliet for Bell Shakespeare.
“She’s a young woman who’s vulnerable and very emotional but look at the language and you see the strength that underwrites all of that ...” www.smh.com.au/culture/thea...
“She’s a young woman who’s vulnerable and very emotional but look at the language and you see the strength that underwrites all of that ...” www.smh.com.au/culture/thea...
How a ‘depressing Tin Man’ took Madeline to Romeo and Juliet
When Madeline Li scored a lead role in a school play as a 12-year-old, it put her on a path she still follows.
www.smh.com.au
October 27, 2025 at 5:19 AM
I had a yarn with Madeline Li, midway through her three-month Australian tour of 26 venues as Juliet for Bell Shakespeare.
“She’s a young woman who’s vulnerable and very emotional but look at the language and you see the strength that underwrites all of that ...” www.smh.com.au/culture/thea...
“She’s a young woman who’s vulnerable and very emotional but look at the language and you see the strength that underwrites all of that ...” www.smh.com.au/culture/thea...
“We carry ceremony with us that keeps that fire alive and keeps us connected and grounded.”
I caught up with yidaki master William Barton & choreographer and former Bangarra leader Stephen Page during rehearsals for their first collaboration, at Sydney Dance Company
www.smh.com.au/culture/danc...
I caught up with yidaki master William Barton & choreographer and former Bangarra leader Stephen Page during rehearsals for their first collaboration, at Sydney Dance Company
www.smh.com.au/culture/danc...
How William Barton’s yidaki meets Stephen Page’s vision in new dance work
The musician and the choreographer have collaborated on a new work for Sydney Dance Company’s triple bill Continuum.
www.smh.com.au
October 19, 2025 at 7:53 PM
“We carry ceremony with us that keeps that fire alive and keeps us connected and grounded.”
I caught up with yidaki master William Barton & choreographer and former Bangarra leader Stephen Page during rehearsals for their first collaboration, at Sydney Dance Company
www.smh.com.au/culture/danc...
I caught up with yidaki master William Barton & choreographer and former Bangarra leader Stephen Page during rehearsals for their first collaboration, at Sydney Dance Company
www.smh.com.au/culture/danc...
Bernie Sanders: “The establishment want you to believe you are powerless, but that is a lie.” youtu.be/W2wbSUQxp48?...
WATCH: At 'No Kings' rally, Sen. Sanders says U.S. experiment of democracy 'in danger' under Trump
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
youtu.be
October 18, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Bernie Sanders: “The establishment want you to believe you are powerless, but that is a lie.” youtu.be/W2wbSUQxp48?...
Took a walk with ABC host Hamish Macdonald around Parramatta and we talked about him getting married, being type A, and learning to deal with intolerance www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Hamish Macdonald: ‘The experience of hosting Q+A was totally overwhelming’
The ABC radio host talks about copping abuse, being driven, and the rise of political violence around the world
www.theguardian.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Took a walk with ABC host Hamish Macdonald around Parramatta and we talked about him getting married, being type A, and learning to deal with intolerance www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
“I’m very passionate about having a First Nations storyline in such a huge show with such a huge reach.”
In Sunday Life today I profile Tuuli Narkle about her life, Noongar ancestry and ongoing role as Evie in NCIS: Sydney as well as Mary in Mystery Road: Origin.
www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/li...
In Sunday Life today I profile Tuuli Narkle about her life, Noongar ancestry and ongoing role as Evie in NCIS: Sydney as well as Mary in Mystery Road: Origin.
www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/li...
October 11, 2025 at 6:53 PM
“I’m very passionate about having a First Nations storyline in such a huge show with such a huge reach.”
In Sunday Life today I profile Tuuli Narkle about her life, Noongar ancestry and ongoing role as Evie in NCIS: Sydney as well as Mary in Mystery Road: Origin.
www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/li...
In Sunday Life today I profile Tuuli Narkle about her life, Noongar ancestry and ongoing role as Evie in NCIS: Sydney as well as Mary in Mystery Road: Origin.
www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/li...
Just seen Dangerously Modern at Art Gallery of NSW, presenting the art of 50 Australian women artists who pursued their passions in Europe between 1890 and 1940
Here, I talk to the curators about Bessie Davidson and Agnes Goodsir and their works made against the odds artguide.com.au/cultural-exc...
Here, I talk to the curators about Bessie Davidson and Agnes Goodsir and their works made against the odds artguide.com.au/cultural-exc...
Cultural exchange on the international stage
Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890–1940, co-curated by the Art Gallery of South Australia and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, celebrates 50 Australian women artists who tr...
artguide.com.au
October 10, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Just seen Dangerously Modern at Art Gallery of NSW, presenting the art of 50 Australian women artists who pursued their passions in Europe between 1890 and 1940
Here, I talk to the curators about Bessie Davidson and Agnes Goodsir and their works made against the odds artguide.com.au/cultural-exc...
Here, I talk to the curators about Bessie Davidson and Agnes Goodsir and their works made against the odds artguide.com.au/cultural-exc...
Great to catch up with Uncle Kutcha Edwards for a yarn ahead of his debut with the Sydney Symphony at the Opera House.
The concert, Ngarli-Wangu (Our Song) takes Edwards’s poem My Favourite Drop as inspiration, featuring river-themed landscapes and soundscapes.
www.smh.com.au/culture/musi...
The concert, Ngarli-Wangu (Our Song) takes Edwards’s poem My Favourite Drop as inspiration, featuring river-themed landscapes and soundscapes.
www.smh.com.au/culture/musi...
‘Us’ and ‘them’ is far from my spirit: Why Kutcha Edwards is building bridges
As he mourns the recent death of his brother Dave, Edwards is in a period of reflection ahead of his debut with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
www.smh.com.au
October 8, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Great to catch up with Uncle Kutcha Edwards for a yarn ahead of his debut with the Sydney Symphony at the Opera House.
The concert, Ngarli-Wangu (Our Song) takes Edwards’s poem My Favourite Drop as inspiration, featuring river-themed landscapes and soundscapes.
www.smh.com.au/culture/musi...
The concert, Ngarli-Wangu (Our Song) takes Edwards’s poem My Favourite Drop as inspiration, featuring river-themed landscapes and soundscapes.
www.smh.com.au/culture/musi...
Ahead of her first season launch as artistic director of the State Theatre Company of South Australia, I talk to artistic director Petra Kalive about her life, career and community ethos www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/culture/thea... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Artistic director Petra Kalive
State Theatre Company South Australia’s artistic director, Petra Kalive, brings seldom-heard voices to her imminent first season.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
October 3, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Ahead of her first season launch as artistic director of the State Theatre Company of South Australia, I talk to artistic director Petra Kalive about her life, career and community ethos www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/culture/thea... via @thesaturdaypaper.com.au
Speaking of local content, when is Bluesky going to introduce regional topics?
We need a trending chart to keep us informed of Australia's biggest arsehats and bitter disappointments of the day.
We need a trending chart to keep us informed of Australia's biggest arsehats and bitter disappointments of the day.
September 22, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Speaking of local content, when is Bluesky going to introduce regional topics?
We need a trending chart to keep us informed of Australia's biggest arsehats and bitter disappointments of the day.
We need a trending chart to keep us informed of Australia's biggest arsehats and bitter disappointments of the day.
"The FANGs [Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, Google] don’t pay tax in Australia. They commission very little content. ... they’re not dissimilar to the crown-of-thorns starfish ... bleaching Australian content from our screens.”
Agree. Zero Oz content on HBO Max, too.
mumbrella.com.au/michael-cord...
Agree. Zero Oz content on HBO Max, too.
mumbrella.com.au/michael-cord...
'Crown-of-thorns starfish bleaching Australian content': Michael Cordell blasts tech giants
Award-winning producer and director Michael Cordell has likened Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Google (“the FANGs”) to the crown-of-thorns starfish – coming in and destroying the local content environm...
mumbrella.com.au
September 22, 2025 at 9:33 PM
"The FANGs [Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, Google] don’t pay tax in Australia. They commission very little content. ... they’re not dissimilar to the crown-of-thorns starfish ... bleaching Australian content from our screens.”
Agree. Zero Oz content on HBO Max, too.
mumbrella.com.au/michael-cord...
Agree. Zero Oz content on HBO Max, too.
mumbrella.com.au/michael-cord...
Given her own father-daughter road story, actor and playwright Kate Mulvany seemed destined to adapt D'Arcy Niland's classic novel The Shiralee for Sydney Theatre Company.
I profile Mulvany about her life and career for Limelight's October issue [subscriber].
limelight-arts.com.au/features/cro...
I profile Mulvany about her life and career for Limelight's October issue [subscriber].
limelight-arts.com.au/features/cro...
September 21, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Given her own father-daughter road story, actor and playwright Kate Mulvany seemed destined to adapt D'Arcy Niland's classic novel The Shiralee for Sydney Theatre Company.
I profile Mulvany about her life and career for Limelight's October issue [subscriber].
limelight-arts.com.au/features/cro...
I profile Mulvany about her life and career for Limelight's October issue [subscriber].
limelight-arts.com.au/features/cro...
Reposted by Steve Dow
Had a yarn with NZ artist Lisa Reihana, whose works welcome visitors entering Ngununggula in the Southern Highlands and Sydney Contemporary at Carriageworks.
"I try to demonstrate caring for others," she says, her survey at Bowral collecting her stunning recent video art.
artguide.com.au?p=219231
"I try to demonstrate caring for others," she says, her survey at Bowral collecting her stunning recent video art.
artguide.com.au?p=219231
Looking Forward, Looking Back with Lisa Reihana
Auckland-born and raised artist Lisa Reihana is ever the optimist, creating two new works signifying social cohesion to hang outside two Australian arts venues—Ngununggula, and Sydney Contemporary at ...
artguide.com.au
September 12, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Had a yarn with NZ artist Lisa Reihana, whose works welcome visitors entering Ngununggula in the Southern Highlands and Sydney Contemporary at Carriageworks.
"I try to demonstrate caring for others," she says, her survey at Bowral collecting her stunning recent video art.
artguide.com.au?p=219231
"I try to demonstrate caring for others," she says, her survey at Bowral collecting her stunning recent video art.
artguide.com.au?p=219231