Banksia

Vanessa Morris is joined by award winning First Nations filmmaker Dylan River to chat about ‘Thou Shalt Not Steal’, which he directed and co-created. He discusses the themes and ideas of the series, exploring how it conveys the intersection between Christianity and Indigenous culture.

It's Banksia's 100th episode with Vanessa Morris as host! For this episode, she speaks with Jarra Karalinar Steel about love.exe, a playful installation at Arts House, North Melbourne, where shrines are devoted to iconic video game characters. Kaytetye producer and DJ, RONA also dials in to talk about her new track 'Raise It' ahead of shows on Wurundjeri Country and Gadigal Country. She also spoke about writing new music in Mpwartwe on Arrernte Country and her plans to work with producers overseas in the coming months.

Allara Briggs Pattison joins Vanessa to yarn about curating Ganbu Gulin at Darebin's FUSE festival and her upcoming tour with the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra.

Vanessa Morris chats with Worimi film-maker and creative Genevieve Grieves about their upcoming project focusing on solidarity in motherhood, Motherhood in the Colony. Plus, Lisa Waup discusses about their upcoming visual arts piece Muddy Edges, which opens at the Gertrude Glasshouse from the 31st of August.

Vanessa has a yarn with Wemba Wemba and Gunditjmara woman Paola Balla and their new work, Mok Mok Murrup Yakuwa, an immersive film installation referencing the Wemba Wemba story of Mok Mok, a devil woman and sovereign goddess, which will be presented as part of the SCI-FI: Mythologies Transformed exhibition at Science Gallery Melbourne. Vanessa is also joined by co-directors of MIFF film, Like My Brother, Danielle MacLean and Sal Balharrie.

Host Vanessa Morris and Wiradjuri woman Jazz Money talk all about their second collection of newly published poetry titled mark the dawn, illuminating their love of Country, connection and community. Also joining the show are YIRRAMBOI co-leads, Taungurung/Filipino woman Sherene Stewart and Waka Waka/Kabi Kabi man, J-Maine Beezley, to yarn about the recently commissioned pieces for next year's YIRRAMBOI Festival, the importance of providing a stage for First Nations voices to be heard, and for stories to reverberate through generations. YIRRAMBOI Festival returns 1-11 May 2025.

Vanessa is joined by Gomeroi man, Kobie Dee, rapper and master storyteller to chat about his upcoming E.P 'Chapter 26', Also joining the show is Kamilaroi and Tongan artist, Radical Son to yarn about the new single 'Yuluwirrl Wandabaa' featuring Emma Donovan and Fank Yamma. Plus, an amazing live in-studio peformnace by Radical Son.

Host Vanessa Morris has a yarn with Yorta Yorta artist Chloe Jones on her piece for UPLANDS titled Kaiela Arts: a catalyst for change, collaboration and creative sovereignty. Also joining the show is Marranungu hip-hop artist Yung Milla to talk about his recent single "Shine" and upcoming shows in Melbourne.

Vanessa Morris talks to Jason Tamiru on 'Yalinguth', an app for sharing Melbourne's First Nations history, or as he calls it, "The Aboriginal Wifi". Then, textile artist Sophie Honess on the NGV NAIDOC Week programme.

Host Vanessa Morris is joined by interdisciplinary artist Tahlia Palmer as they discuss their new exhibition Occupation Studies showcasing at the Wheeler Centre. She works to interrogate the impact of colonisation on people and Country, and to unpack and heal intergenerational trauma in her own family.

Vanessa has a yarn with Wadawurrung artist Kait James who is guest curator for a craft exhibit titled "Moombarra" , featuring 6 first nations artists, working across textiles, fiber art, weaving, sculpture, painting and collage, celebrating rich traditions and contemporary expressions of craft. Also joinging the show is visual artist and Gumbaynggirr woman Aretha Brown to chat about her upcoming trip to Osaka Japan where she'll be painting murals of some prominent indigenous figures.

Vanessa has a yarn with Nick Currie, A descendant of the Mulunjali Clan of Yugambeh people and Kuku Yalanji people of Brisbane and Beaudesert and Kuku Yalanji people of the rainforest regions of Far North QLD. Known for his diverse artistic and curatorial practice both in subject matter and medium, from abstract work on canvas, to murals and contemporay art installations, exploring social, cultural and personal themes. The visual vocabulary links to themes of Indigeneity, emotional responses and larger community values.

Vanessa speaks with her brother Neil Morris (also known as DRMNGNOW) on their latest single 'Ngarwu', connecting to country through music, and using language in their music. Later in the show, Vanessa speaks with Ghenoa Gela on her show Gurr Era Op, running from June 12th to 16th, as part of RISING. Gurr Era Op--meaning'the face of the sea' in Miriam Mir, the language of the Eastern Torres Strait--explores the Torres Strait Islanders' fight against the climate crisis and celebrates Torres Strait culture.

Host Vanessa Morris speaks to writer and editor Bianca Valentino to discuss her recently published essay in the Griffith Review, Against the Grain: finding the meaning in punk, speaking to her experince growing up within the punk scene, and explroing her spirituality. Vanessa also speaks to co-curators Kimberley Moulton and Kate ten Buuren of the outdoor exhibition at Federation Square, The Blak Infinite during RISING.

This week, Vanessa is joined by Dan Sultan to talk all about his upcoming performance with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The collaboration is set to occur during NAIDOC Week this year and will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Dan's debut album, Blackbird. Friday July 12th is sold out! So get in quick for the last few spots of the Saturday July 13th show, tickets available here: Dan Sultan X MSO

Papua New Guinea and Gunditjimara artist Kaiit joins Banksia to talk about single Space and new independent label BIG SIS ENERGY RECORDS

Vanessa has a yarn with First Nations soprano Sarah Prestwidge who will be performing on Deborah Cheetham Fraillon's Parrwang lifts the sky at the Malthouse theatre, also Cheryl Leavy (Kooma and Nguri Nations) who is a stella prize judge, here for MWF (Melbourne writers festival)

Banksia host Vanessa Morris is joined by Susannah Day, CEO of The Torch, ahead of the opening of exhibition Confined 15, which provides a dedicated space for First Nations people who have experienced incarceration in Victoria. Morris is also joined by Leon Rodgers as they chat about their upcoming composition piece, Seven Sisters for the first Voices showcase at MSO

Vanessa Morris is joined by proud Wik and Solomon Islander artist Ziggy Ramo ahead of the release of the book, album and exhibition, Human? A lie that has been killing us since 1788. Described as a necessary reading for those seeking to learn more about so-called Australia’s history, Ziggy reflects on how ‘Human?’ expands on debut album and 2020 release ‘Black Thoughts’ and explains his experience growing up under the weight of a lie that so-called Australia is built on.

Vanessa speaks with comedians Janty Blair and Jay Wymarra about their recent festival performances in this special comedy edition of Banksia.