Ben Quilty
Renowned Australian painter known for large-scale figurative works and socially engaged art; author of the essay 'Collective Ambition' in the anthology A Time for Bravery and a prominent voice on culture and politics in Australia.
Best podcasts with Ben Quilty
Ranked by the Snipd community
Jan 25, 2026 • 25min
A nation of rich cowards? Ben Quilty on why we need our artists
Ben Quilty, a celebrated Australian painter known for bold figurative work and cultural commentary, questions whether Australia values its artists. He discusses why being an artist can feel risky, how schools and funding squeeze creativity, the Adelaide Writers’ Week controversy, free speech versus harm, and the need for a culturally brave, truth-telling nation.
