Art Works
Namila Benson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Melbourne, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Broadcaster, podcaster, television host |
| Years active | Mid-1990s–present |
| Known for | Presenter of Art Works (2021–2023), host and co-creator of The Art Of... (2024) |
Namila Benson is a prominent Australian broadcaster, podcaster, and television host, widely known for her contributions to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation through Radio National and ABC Television. From 2021 until 2023, she served as the presenter of the weekly arts program Art Works on ABC TV. Additionally, she is the host and co-creator of the ABC TV series The Art Of...'’, which premiered in June 2024.
Early life and education
Benson was born in Melbourne to parents of Papua New Guinean heritage. She identifies as a Tolai woman originating from Rabaul, located in Papua New Guinea’s East New Britain Province. Her father, Warium Benson, had a distinguished career spanning 36 years (1975–2011) as a broadcaster with Radio Australia.
Career
Launching her media journey in the mid-1990s at Melbourne’s community station 3CR, Benson has built a diverse career across various media formats. Her experience includes working as a field reporter for ABC’s arts series Art Nation, producing and presenting for Radio Australia’s Pacific Service, and hosting programs on 3RRR FM.
Between 2017 and 2019, she took on the role of producer for Radio National’s Life Matters. In 2019, she advanced to become presenter and co-producer of ABC Radio National’s national visual arts program The Art Show.
Over the course of 2021 to 2023, Benson fronted 100 episodes of ABC TV’s weekly arts show Art Works, which aired on ABC TV and ABC TV Plus and was accessible via ABC iView. In November 2023, it was announced that she would be both host and co-creator of a new arts series titled The Art Of...'’, which debuted in June 2024.
Through her media platforms, Benson actively challenges societal norms and fosters open discussions, encouraging Australians to engage in "difficult, open, and honest conversations."
Other activities
Benson has played a significant role mentoring emerging media professionals both within Australia and internationally. She has facilitated workshops at various radio stations such as 3CR, SYN, PBS 106.7FM, and 3RRR. In 2015, she delivered media training sessions for producers, presenters, and journalists at the National Broadcasting Corporation of Papua New Guinea.
In 2019, Benson hosted public talks featuring Jack Charles and other guests at Melbourne’s Melba Spiegeltent. She also moderated discussions with singer Archie Roach and First Nations elder and activist Uncle Jack Charles during the Stories of Song and Resilience event held at the Sydney Opera House in 2017.
That same year, she appeared on episode 151 of Wil Anderson’s podcast Wilosophy. For the 22nd Biennale of Sydney in 2020—which centered on contemporary First Nations art—she presented a six-part podcast series entitled "Behind the Biennale".
In 2023, Benson hosted both the Semi-Permanent and Never Permanent design festivals, conducting interviews with notable figures including Sinéad Burke, Mona Chalabi, Mikaela Jade, and Liam Young. In March 2024, she was the host for the Australian International Documentary Conference Awards held at Melbourne’s ACMI.
Benson collaborated with Jack Charles on his memoir Jack Charles: Born-Again Blakfella, released by Penguin Books in August 2020. This work was shortlisted for Biography Book of the Year at the 2020 Australian Book Industry Awards.
Art Works Season 1
In 2021, Benson presented a total of 33 episodes of ABC Television's Art Works, with the series debuting on ABC TV on 5 March 2021.
| Episode | Featured Guests and Subjects | Broadcast Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uncle Jack Charles, Atong Atem, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran | 5 May 2021 |
| 2 | Ziggy Ramo, Airi Ingram | 12 May 2021 |
| 3 | Opera Australia, Mary Quant, Siobhan Reddy, Natalie Aroyan | 19 May 2021 |
| 4 | Museum of Contemporary Art Australia & ABC Classic 100 | 26 May 2021 |
| 5 | Miss First Nation & Ramsay Art Prize | 2 June 2021 |
| 6 | Archibald Prize, Peter Wegner, Guy Warren (artist), Archie 100 | 9 June 2021 |
| 7 | Kate Just, Great Woy Woy Tea Cosy Showcase, Andre Sardone | 16 June 2021 |
| 8 | Hilma af Klint, Incognito Art Show, Sue Cramer, Nicholas Chambers | 23 June 2021 |
| 9 | Dark Mofo 2021 | 30 June 2021 |
| 10 | Megan Cope, Richard Bell (artist), Brian Robinson and Toby Cedar, NAIDOC Week 2021 | 7 July 2021 |
| 11 | Just Not Australian Touring Exhibition | 14 July 2021 |
| 12 | Arts Access Victoria Amplify Festival, Heesco | 21 July 2021 |
| 13 | Maree Clarke, Science Gallery Melbourne | 28 July 2021 |
| 14 | Supercell Festival of Contemporary Dance, Elisa Jane Carmichael, Sophie Fleming, Kate Usher, Brisbane Comedy Festival | 4 August 2021 |
| 15 | Deborah Cheetham Fraillon, Malthouse Theatre's Because the Night, Scattered, Anna-Wili Highfield | 11 August 2021 |
| 16 | Mo'Ju, Vipoo Srivilasa & The Wellness Deity Project | 18 August 2021 |
| 17 | Maxine Beneba Clarke, New Writers Collective & Alex Lahey | 25 August 2021 |
| 18 | National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award, Ishmael, Stone Country, Lorraine Kabbindi White, Ida Sophia | 1 September 2021 |
| 19 | Kylie Bracknell (formerly Kylie Farmer), Lucy Irvine, Demolition, Janelle McMillan, Polytoxic | 8 September 2021 |
| 20 | Boy Swallows Universe, Murrniny, Ngaiire | 15 September 2021 |
| 21 | Daniel Lafferty, Deborah Cheetham Fraillon, The Rivers Sing, Sami Shah | 22 September 2021 |
| 22 | Brenton E. McKenna, Mick Turner, Bukhchuluun Ganburged | 29 September 2021 |
| 23 | Claire McArdle, David Moran, Voices of Colour | 6 October 2021 |
| 24 | Lisa Waup, Sally Rees, Yhonnie Scarce, Nicolette Fraillon, Lee Lewis, Dalisa Pigram, Rachael Swain, #KnowMyName | 13 October 2021 |
| 25 | Muster, Terrapin, Dale Woodbridge-Brown | 20 October 2021 |
| 26 | First Nations Fashion and Design | 27 October 2021 |
| 27 | Bukhchuluun Ganburged, Vika and Linda, Jonathan Zawada, Ausmusic Month | 3 November 2021 |
| 28 | Art in the Vines, Patricia Piccinini | 10 November 2021 |
| 29 | OzAsia Festival, Koolbardi wer Wardong | 17 November 2021 |
| 30 | Neo Teen Takeover, Wendy Mocke, Fiona Lee | 24 November 2021 |
| 31 | Jazz Money, Tarnanthi, Serwah Attafuah | 1 December 2021 |
| 32 | Transformation, Time Pass, Baai | 8 December 2021 |
| 33 | La Mama Theatre (Melbourne), Stella Prize | 15 December 2021 |
Art Works Season Two
In 2022, Benson presented 37 installments of the second season of ABC Television's Art Works, which debuted on 16 March. This series engaged with leading personalities from Australia's arts and cultural landscape, showcasing key festivals, exhibitions, and innovative creative projects.
| Episode | Guests and Topics | Broadcast Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Summer Arts Festivals, Arts Washing; featured guests were Rachael Maza, Gabrielle de Vietri, Ali Murphy-Oates, Joshua Thompson, Sera Waters, Daniel Jaber | 16 March 2022 |
| 2 | Dean Cross x Sidney Nolan, Eucalyptusdom, Adrienne Doig | 23 March 2022 |
| 3 | Lorne Sculpture Biennale, Biennale of Sydney, Daina Sgarioto, Tamara Bekier | 30 March 2022 |
| 4 | WOMADelaide, Jaslyn Hall, Alex Seton, Parvyn Singh, Dya Singh | 6 April 2022 |
| 5 | Marco Fusinato, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Louise Coghill, Frida Las Vegas | 6 April 2022 |
| 6 | Bundanon, Aretha Brown, Emma Donovan, Graeme McCullough | 13 April 2022 |
| 7 | AQAL, David Quirk, Caitlin Yeo, Sky Song | 20 April 2022 |
| 8 | National Indigenous Art Triennial, Sammy Hawker, Keva York | 27 April 2022 |
| 9 | Safa El Samad, Gabbi Bolt, Jordan Benson | 4 May 2022 |
| 10 | Venice Biennale, Deborah Kelly, Marco Fusinato, Parrtjima, Christopher Zanko | 11 May 2022 |
| 11 | Lissette Endacott, Katie West, Tamworth Country Music Festival | 18 May 2022 |
| 12 | Sydney Writers Festival, Chelsea Watego, Clementine Ford, Debra Keenahan, Eliza Hull, Nils Frahm, Tony Birch | 25 May 2022 |
| 13 | Australian Fashion Week, Dylan Mooney, Nicol & Ford, Alicia Crossley, Great Southern Dance, Dan Golding | 1 June 2022 |
| 14 | Vivid Sydney, Luca French, Billie Robertson, Sue Cato, Tiyan Baker, Tully Arnot, Amani Haydar, Cut N Polish | 8 June 2022 |
| 15 | Rising (arts festival), Zeina Thiboult, Luke Arnold & Richard Tognetti | 15 June 2022 |
| 16 | Sampa the Great, Rising (arts festival), Benjamin Law and Vanessa Alexander | 22 June 2022 |
| 17 | Dylan Mooney, Emma Donovan, Aretha Brown, Katie West and the National Indigenous Art Triennial | 29 June 2022 |
| 18 | Christopher Zanko, Sammy Hawker, Graeme McCullough, Bundanon Art Museum and Parrtjima Festival | 6 July 2022 |
| 19 | Dark Mofo, Alex Podger, Naomi Hobson, Cement Fondu, Stephanie Lake, Robin Fox and Phoenix Central Park | 13 July 2022 |
| 20 | Brisbane Street Art Festival, Jess Ribeiro, Second Echo Ensemble, Outside Boy and Miles Brown | 20 July 2022 |
| 21 | Back to Back Theatre, Noah Johnson, Soft Centre and S.J Norman | 27 July 2022 |
| 22 | Arts Week, Looking for Alibrandi, Megan Cope and National Gallery of Victoria's Queer Exhibition | 10 August 2022 |
| 23 | Gay Hawkes, Abdul Abdullah, Dr Josh Harle, Tactical Space Lab, BLEACH and Royal Theatre Winton | 17 August 2022 |
| 24 | Del Kathryn Barton, Blaze, Zahra Elham, Afghan Star finalists, Sarah L'Estrange and Miles Franklin Award | 24 August 2022 |
| 25 | Fangirls musical creators Yve Blake & Kirli Saunders; The Minties; Omar Sakr; West Australian Symphony Orchestra; Blaze; Eunice Andrada & National Poetry Month Gala | 31 August 2022 |
| 26 | Sydney Theatre Company productions; Bharatanatyam dancer Rukshikaa Elankumaran; Matthew Backer; Kip Williams; Rosie Dennis; Christine Johnston; Jordan Morrison; The Scramble Project | 7 September 2022 |
| 27 | Anna Cordell; Whitefella Yella Tree; Dylan Van Den Berg; Callen Purcell; Guy Simon; Vanessa Tomlinson; Cat Jones | 14 September 2022 |
| 28 | Dr. Fiona Foley; COVID sonification project with Dr. Mark Temple; Holly Greenwood; Broome Performing Arts Co-Op; Justine De Bruyn; Amanda Riley | 21 September 2022 |
| 29 | Australian Centre for the Moving Image features Somebody's Daughter documentary; Fiona Hall & AJ King | 28 September 2022 |
| 30 | Brisbane Festival & Club Weld events; Dr. Anita Heiss; The House of Alexander fashion label; Nina Gotsis; Olana Janfa; Jerrah Patston; Sam Worrad; Charbel Nehme; Joseph Williams; Erica Izett; Rupert Betheras | 5 October 2022 |
| 31 | Waru film screening with Janice Wong & Nadurna cast including Ben Nguyen & Hunter Page-Lochard | 12 October 2022 |
| 32 | Virginia Gay in Cyrano production; William Barton with Aunty Delmae Barton & Donna Kendrigan storytelling at State Library of Victoria | 19 October 2022 |
| 33 | Rodney Bell performance Alter State by Rooke Circus featuring Luke Whitten | 26 October 2022 |
| 34 | Jonathon Oxlade discusses work with The Australian Ballet alongside Tasman Keith & Keva York | 2 November 2022 |
| 35 | Bell Shakespeare company with Gerwyn Davies & Kurt Boseke at FUNPARK arts festival | 9 November 2022 |
| 36 | Maria Tran & Gemma Black explore Night Songs at Powerhouse Museum’s Liveworks Festival of Experimental Art | 16 November 2022 |
| 37 | Bangarra Dance Theatre feature on AI Art with Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra & author Heather Rose | 23 November 2022 |
Art Works third season
In 2023, Benson served as host and/or guest on numerous episodes throughout the third season of ABC Television's Art Works:
%}The Art Of... Season 1
Benson serves as both the presenter and co-creator of the ABC television series The Art Of....
| Episode | Featured guests and subjects | Broadcast date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Festivals in Adelaide & Perth, WorldPride | 12 March 2023 |
| 2 | The Oscars, Sydney Modern, Kate Jinx, Jamie Tram, Thea Perkins | 19 March 2023 |
| 3 | Hobart's Ten Days on the Island festival - Women of Troy, Perun Bonser, Sammy Hawker, Nick Cave, Warren Ellis | 26 March 2023 |
| 4 | Thom Monckton, Rose Riebl, Jamin, WOMADelaide Festival | 2 April 2023 |
| 5 | Adelaide Festival, Lucy Guerin, The Sheep Song, Matt Sloane, Aurelia St Clair, Sashi Perera, Jason Tamiru | 9 April 2023 |
| 6 | Home of the Arts, Gold Coast, Rel Pham, Mia Salsjo, Jason Lim | 16 April 2023 |
| 7 | TMAG, Jen Cloher, Thabani Tshuma | 23 April 2023 |
| 8 | Reuben Kaye, Daniel Riley, Vieux Farka Touré | 30 April 2023 |
| 9 | wani toaishara, The Poison of Polygamy, La Boite Theatre, Queensland Theatre | 7 May 2023 |
| 10 | Classics for Kids, Bandura, Kirsten Lyttle, Mithu Sen | 14 May 2023 |
| 11 | Maggie Hensel-Brown, Leuli Eshraghi, Lacework, Perth Design Week, Eric Avery, Computer Art | 21 May 2023 |
| 12 | Jessica Cottis, Germaine Acogny, Slammed, Nani Puspasari, Rania Ahmed | 28 May 2023 |
| 13 | Ajak Kwai, Kaylene Milner, WAH-WAH, Nathaniel Youkhana | 4 June 2023 |
| 14 | Ugly Art, Rod McNicol, Tina Turner, Arts Project Australia | 11 June 2023 |
| 15 | UFO, The Torch, Vivid Sydney, Mdou Moctar | 18 June 2023 |
| 16 | Straw Marquetry techniques, The Other Art Fair, Nabilah Nordin, Nick Modrewski, Zaynab Farah | 25 June 2023 |
| 17 | Food Art initiatives, The Social Studio, Cash Savage, Desire Marea | 2 July 2023 |
| 18 | Bobbi Lockyer, Dominic Guerrera, King Stingray | 9 July 2023 |
| 19 | ROCKAMORA brand, Evi Ferrier, Karen Marks, Kasper Schmidt Mumm, Aida Azin, Jason Phu | 16 July 2023 |
| 20 | The Huxleys band, Fulu Miziki, Bruno Booth, Sarah Lock | 23 July 2023 |
| 21 | Jamaica Moana project, Paul Ryan artist profile, Ida Sophia and Thando | 30 July 2023 |
| 22 | Tee Ken Ng artist feature, Jason deCaires Taylor, Mel Ree | 6 Aug 2023 |
| 23 | Lindy Lee, Halo Vocal Ensemble performance, Jordy van den Nieuwendijk and Satsuki Odamura | 13 Aug 2023 |
| 24 | Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane highlights; The Weekend band; Brendan Huntley; Gary Bigeni; Nardi Simpson; Kaleena Briggs | 20 Aug 2023 |
| 25 | Now or Never Festival coverage; State Theatre Company of South Australia; Joseph Tawadros; Zahra Newman; Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio | 27 Aug 2023 |
| 26 | Moulin Rouge! The Musical; Melbourne International Film Festival overview; The Chairs production; Restless Dance Theatre | 3 Sept 2023 |
| 27 | Charis Schwarz artist feature; Judy Watson; Olivia Davies; Ernest Aines | 10 Sept 2023 |
| 28 | Raphaela Rosella; Mikaela Stafford; Sarah Mary Chadwick; Huda the Goddess | 17 Sept 2023 |
| 29 | Arts Week 2023 events; Australian Tapestry Workshop; Nat Bartsch music; Where Water Meets installation; Alice Lindstrom; Iran Sanadzadeh | 24 Sept 2023 |
| 30 | Desert Mob exhibition; Dalisa Pigram; Ron Hurley; Laurie May | 1 Oct 2023 |
| Episode | Title and Featured Guests | Broadcast Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heartbreak: Celeste Mountjoy, Clementine Ford, Emma Donovan, Josh Thomas, Yumi Stynes, Mary McGillivray | 4 June 2024 |
| 2 | Being Imperfect: Amanda Palmer, Audrey Powne, Yhonnie Scarce, Mary McGillivray, Richard Lewer | 11 June 2024 |
| 3 | Masculinity: Courtney Act (guest presenter), Winston McCall, Gil Jenek, Fez Faanana, Thomas Worrell, Dylan Rodriguez, Briefs Factory, Billy Bane, Mary Beard, Mary McGillivray | 18 June 2024 |
| 4 | Sex: Paul Yore, Kitty Obsidian, Michala Banas, Mary Beard, Vanessa Hughes, Mary McGillivray | 25 June 2024 |
| 5 | Making A Difference: Angélique Kidjo, Kutcha Edwards, Bimini, Mary McGillivray | 2 July 2024 |
| 6 | Rage: Nazeem Hussain, Christos Tsiolkas, Del Kathryn Barton, Barkaa, Mary McGillivray | 9 July 2024 |
| 7 | Being Funny: Shaun Micallef, Zainab Johnson, Dane Simpson, Badiucao, Mary Beard, Mary McGillivray | 16 July 2024 |
| 8 | Climate: Megan Cope, Yael Stone, Ghenoa Gela, Jessie French, Mary McGillivray | 23 July 2024 |
| 9 | Hair: Patricia Piccinini, Nyadak ‘Duckie’ Thot, Zeïna Thiboult, Manu Harrison, Mary McGillivray | 30 July 2024 |
| 10 | Starting Over: Osher Günsberg (guest presenter), Sam Kissajukian, Emma Watkins, Gavin Wanganeen, Audrey Griffen, Carl Villis, Mary McGillivray | 6 August 2024 |
| 11 | Motherhood: Del Kathryn Barton, Atong Atem, Ella Ganza, Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich, Prof. Mary Beard, Mary McGillivray | 13 August 2024 |
| 12 | Food: Matt Preston (guest presenter), Kirsten Tibballs, Ben Shewry, Jenni Kemarre Martiniello, Mary McGillivray | 20 August 2024 |
| 13 | Ageing: Yumi Stynes (guest presenter), Lindy Lee, Kathy Lette, Meryl Tankard, Maree Clarke, Mary McGillivray | 27 August 2024 |
| 14 | Sport: Elise Kellond-Knight (guest presenter), Otis Hope Carey, Michael Wilson, Tamara Oudyn, Mary McGillivray | 3 September 2024 |
| 15 | Money: Daniel Browning (guest presenter), Michael Zavros, Kay Abude, Richard Bell (artist), Andrei Molodkin, Mary McGillivray | 10 September 2024 |