Guy Rundle’s recent assault on Paul Keating’s cultural cred was irritating and thrilling by turns, writes arts reporter Stephen Feneley — it shouldn’t be so surprising arts folk have such fond memories of Keating given what came after him.
Art 
The death of Tozer and Keating’s romancing of genius
The death of pianist Geoffrey Tozer raises questions about Paul Keating and the attitudes about art and civilisation that he projected — and continues to project — onto this country.
Antiques Roadshow uncovers Nazi-looted art
Some real treasure has been uncovered on the German version of Antiques Roadshow: a 17th century painting by Flemish baroque artist Frans Francken the Younger valued up to €100,000, stolen by the Nazis and last owned by Hitler himself. A real bobby-dazzler!
Art for beauty’s sake
We must rescue art from the modern intoxication with ugliness, demands Roger Scruton.
The Tracey Emin show: self abuse and sewing
Sometimes I’m inclined to regard Tracey Emin as Jade Goody’s long-lost sister. For both, achievement has been inseparable from publicity; their careers derive from the merchandising of personal traumas, which take us on involuntary tours of their tormented innards.
Wankley Awards: The Daily Tele swallows a fake Picasso
The Daily Tele reported last week that a young Sydney woman took her online Picasso to an “antiques roadshow” in Dee Why and it was verified as authentic. If only they’d got a second opinion…
Should Banksy be nominated for the Turner prize?
Art writer Jonathan Jones almost nominated street artist Banksy for the Turner prize — but thought better of it.
‘Dumb!’ ‘Insulting!’ ‘Hughesian!’ Art criticism goes the biff
It’s always amusing when critics get a taste of their own medicine.
Forget Henson, politicians are partial to playground trawling too
How does Ms Pike justify her practice, and that of her colleagues in parliaments right across Australia, eagerly rushing off to schools, particularly at election time, so they can be photographed with unsuspecting kids who can’t vote? asks Greg Barns.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Comments, corrections, clarifications, and c*ckups
Hetty Johnston on Henson … oil, the future, and you … the public service … global warming … Iraq … sponsored sydney buses … ABARE …
A Queensland perspective on Henson
I still feel the shame of Queensland, the laughing stock, the State where police and politicians interfered in artistic matters with heavy hands and jack booted feet, writes Stephen Keim.
Hetty Johnston: Henson debate a healthy sign
Since time began, adults have exercised their rights, their greed and personal desires with little or no consideration to the rights of children. That’s changing, and about time, writes Hetty Johnston, founder of Bravehearts.
Never mind the zealots: smoking has a role in film
Should movies be part of some ideological state apparatus for promoting health, wonders Simon Chapman?
SBS shows the way ahead for commercial public broadcasting
Joy for taxpayers: SBS expects to make $47million in the next financial year, from ads, writes Glen Dyer.
Oz police ape their overzealous US counterparts on Henson
The sort of tactics used by Hetty Johnson and are, unfortunately, a fact of life in the US, writes Greg Barns.
Henson schmenson, take a look at Dolly
Why is it that “artistic” images of a young girl have created such uproar, and yet s-xualised images of children across the media remain unchallenged, asks Julie Gale.
Henson: time for the police to put up or back off
Since when did we allow our police forces to become censors of art and culture, asks Greg Barns?
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Comments, corrections, clarifications, and c*ckups
The Henson fracas: art or p-rn? … petrol politics and FuelWatch … petrol solutions: it’s a gas … publicly dealing with complex issues … Mal Brough …
Attack of the luvvies fails to hit its target
The Prime Minister may be finding petro-politics difficult to negotiate at the moment, but there’s one bright spot: at least the luvvies now hate him, writes
Talkback on the nuances between art and p-rn
Talkback hasn’t been this highbrow since Piss Christ… To follow is a selection of the art critique hitting the air waves.
The Henson Debate: Crikey readers respond
Everyone from the PM down has weighed in on the debate over Bill Henson’s photography. Crikey readers had a lot to say too - in fact we’ve had more comments on the story than any other we’ve published. Here’s a selection of reader comments on the issue.
Child s-xualisation: a month of stories
The s-xualisation of children — and more specifically, girls — has been a big topic over the last month or so. From the frivolous to the serious, it seems a tipping point has been reached, writes Jane Nethercote.
Crikey Says: Crikey Says
When did we lose the capacity for serious and complex discussion of intricate and difficult issues?
Sparrow: powerful populism, art and reason collide
Harassing artists: it’s Australian as the Pavlova or the Hills Hoist, writes Jeff Sparrow.
