The Australian: Will we ever have fun like this?

The Australian: Will we ever have fun like this?

By Geordie Gray

 

Most of us, except for those with lax parents, were too young to experience Big Day Out. The music festival that defined live music in Australia has remained a mythical institution. A psychedelic vision of havoc and freewheeling fun. We’ve devoured photos of sloppy and sweaty crowds, cooking under the sun, totally at liberty from their phones; and have watched blink-182’s 2000 headlining slot so may times we can recite the stage banter verbatim.

Photographer Sophie Howarth experienced it all. Her latest exhibition, Homage to the Chicks, is a collection of 126 photographs from her time as a live music photographer in the 1990s and 2000s. The National Art School graduate was the official photographer for the Big Day Out; she’s shot legends like Patti Smith, PJ Harvey, Bikini Kill and Soundgarden; worked alongside record labels, and toured with bands.

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We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Prudence MacLeod Prize. 

The Prudence MacLeod Prize, which will continue for a further three years, supports a recent National Art School graduate to undertake a six-month residency at @acme.art, London.

Supported by the Lansdowne Foundation, the Prize provides an emerging artist with an opportunity to step forward into an expanded, international context at a vital time in their career. The artist will live and work in London, one of the world's great art cities, in a supportive artist community. This important opportunity will enable the artist to forge professional international contacts, explore London's art world and rich cultural resources, and produce a new body of work.

The recipient of this Prize will receive:
– Return travel to London. To be arranged for the artist by NAS.
– Studio accommodation and workspace at Acme Studios for 6 months.
– Living stipend of $AUD3,500 per month for 6 months. Total $AUD21,000.

Application deadline: Sunday 1 February 2026, 11.59pm
Residency: Monday 6 July – Friday 18 December 2026

The Prudence MacLeod Prize is open to eligible NAS alumni who have graduated within the past five years and meet the selection criteria.

Learn more 🔗 in bio. 

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Acme Fire Station, 30 Gillender Street, 1999 © Acme Archive
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the opening of The Grad Show!

Find works by this year's cohort exhibited throughout the NAS campus until 14 December. Open daily from 11am — 5pm and until 9pm on Fridays. 

View online via 🔗 in bio.

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Video: Tim Connolly
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