Esther Anatolitis
@anatolitis.bsky.social
art – tenacity – democracy
Writer and arts advocate
Creative strategy, Test Pattern
Editor 2022-2025, Meanjin
Governing Council, National Gallery of Australia
Co-Chair, Australian Republic Movement
Hon A/Prof, RMIT School of Art
estheranatolitis.net
Writer and arts advocate
Creative strategy, Test Pattern
Editor 2022-2025, Meanjin
Governing Council, National Gallery of Australia
Co-Chair, Australian Republic Movement
Hon A/Prof, RMIT School of Art
estheranatolitis.net
Pinned
Read my full tribute to Dr Maudie Palmer AO here:
estheranatolitis.net/2025/12/11/d...
The print version was edited and abridged without my consent. Photography by Bronwyn Kidd.
estheranatolitis.net/2025/12/11/d...
The print version was edited and abridged without my consent. Photography by Bronwyn Kidd.
I am devastated and beyond heartbroken to share this statement from the family of Dr Maudie Palmer AO.
My tribute to Maudie will be published in The Age tomorrow.
Maudie’s family ask that we respect their privacy.
Αιώνια η μνήμη.
My tribute to Maudie will be published in The Age tomorrow.
Maudie’s family ask that we respect their privacy.
Αιώνια η μνήμη.
December 11, 2025 at 1:13 AM
I am devastated and beyond heartbroken to share this statement from the family of Dr Maudie Palmer AO.
My tribute to Maudie will be published in The Age tomorrow.
Maudie’s family ask that we respect their privacy.
Αιώνια η μνήμη.
My tribute to Maudie will be published in The Age tomorrow.
Maudie’s family ask that we respect their privacy.
Αιώνια η μνήμη.
“US Customs and Border Protection agency (CBP) said it would also require any telephone numbers used by visitors over [the last five years] and any email addresses used in the last decade, as well as face, fingerprint, DNA and iris biometrics.” www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Tourists to US would have to reveal five years of social media activity under new Trump plan
Proposed plan would apply to tourists of countries not currently required to get a visa to visit the US, including Britain and France
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:00 PM
“US Customs and Border Protection agency (CBP) said it would also require any telephone numbers used by visitors over [the last five years] and any email addresses used in the last decade, as well as face, fingerprint, DNA and iris biometrics.” www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Cast in Blue was designed by Mitch Walker and Tom Proctor of Huna Studio.
Why are such news stories written without any attempt to contact artists for comment, let alone naming them?
A opportunity @theguardian.com @australia.theguardian.com to lead on this.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Why are such news stories written without any attempt to contact artists for comment, let alone naming them?
A opportunity @theguardian.com @australia.theguardian.com to lead on this.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
A vision splendid or eyesore? South Australian court to rule on ‘Blue Blob’ sculpture vandalism charge
If Amelia Vanderhorst is found guilty and penalised for allegedly sticking googly eyes on Mount Gambier landmark, it might be the first time such an act has been punished
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Cast in Blue was designed by Mitch Walker and Tom Proctor of Huna Studio.
Why are such news stories written without any attempt to contact artists for comment, let alone naming them?
A opportunity @theguardian.com @australia.theguardian.com to lead on this.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Why are such news stories written without any attempt to contact artists for comment, let alone naming them?
A opportunity @theguardian.com @australia.theguardian.com to lead on this.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Just days after learning that the Queensland government has replaced teacher representatives on its curriculum authority with the founding chair and funder of Advance, we now learn that a fossil fuel company is paying its museum to distort climate crisis education www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Queensland Museum accused of misleading teachers and children about the cause of climate change
Education program sponsored by Shell’s Queensland Gas Company is ‘climate obstruction dressed up as education’, advocacy group says
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Just days after learning that the Queensland government has replaced teacher representatives on its curriculum authority with the founding chair and funder of Advance, we now learn that a fossil fuel company is paying its museum to distort climate crisis education www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Arts investment vs cultural policy ambition: a “diabolical” choice for governments when weighing the priorities that create Australia’s future. I’m quoted in this timely piece by Santilla Chingaipe in today’s @thesaturdaypaper.com.au www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic...
The shrinkage of Australian arts funding
Restructures across all levels of arts funding have deprived institutions of money and led some to scale back their ambitions or even close.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
December 5, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Arts investment vs cultural policy ambition: a “diabolical” choice for governments when weighing the priorities that create Australia’s future. I’m quoted in this timely piece by Santilla Chingaipe in today’s @thesaturdaypaper.com.au www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politic...
So much to enjoy at the National Indigenous Art Triennial, starting with this astonishing collaboration between Canberra Glassworks and the Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre in Mparntwe: it’s Albert Namatjira’s home in glass, part of a bigger multigenerational project—
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
Hope, heart and home leads at the National Indigenous Art Triennial: ‘We are going through a stage of enlightenment’
Curated by Tony Albert, After the Rain at the National Gallery of Australia explores cultural and familial legacies two years on from the referendum
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:34 PM
So much to enjoy at the National Indigenous Art Triennial, starting with this astonishing collaboration between Canberra Glassworks and the Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre in Mparntwe: it’s Albert Namatjira’s home in glass, part of a bigger multigenerational project—
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
The Women’s Institute feels the “utmost regret and sadness” that it had “no choice” but to exclude trans women? Oh but “it remains our firm belief that transgender women are women”?
No.
If you believe in including trans women then you change your club.
And you include all women.
And you do it today.
No.
If you believe in including trans women then you change your club.
And you include all women.
And you do it today.
Women’s Institute will no longer accept trans women as members from April
Women’s Institute will no longer accept trans women as members from April
Exclusive: CEO says decision taken with ‘utmost regret and sadness’ after supreme court ruling on definition of a woman
The Women’s Institute will no longer accept transgender women as members from April following the UK supreme court ruling on the legal definition of a woman, the Guardian can reveal.
Melissa Green, the chief executive of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes, said the organisation had taken the decision with the “utmost regret and sadness”, adding it had “no choice” but to exclude trans women from its membership. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 11:20 AM
The Women’s Institute feels the “utmost regret and sadness” that it had “no choice” but to exclude trans women? Oh but “it remains our firm belief that transgender women are women”?
No.
If you believe in including trans women then you change your club.
And you include all women.
And you do it today.
No.
If you believe in including trans women then you change your club.
And you include all women.
And you do it today.
"Bruce Lehrmann loses" is rapidly becoming the Australian law's idiomatic gift to the world.
Compounding the "going back for his hat" in Justice Lee's finding of *recklessness* towards consent, Justice Wigney has found that Lerhmann *knew* there was no consent:
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Compounding the "going back for his hat" in Justice Lee's finding of *recklessness* towards consent, Justice Wigney has found that Lerhmann *knew* there was no consent:
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Australia news live: Lehrmann loses appeal in defamation fight as court makes new finding he was aware of Brittany Higgins’ lack of consent
Follow live
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:36 AM
"Bruce Lehrmann loses" is rapidly becoming the Australian law's idiomatic gift to the world.
Compounding the "going back for his hat" in Justice Lee's finding of *recklessness* towards consent, Justice Wigney has found that Lerhmann *knew* there was no consent:
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Compounding the "going back for his hat" in Justice Lee's finding of *recklessness* towards consent, Justice Wigney has found that Lerhmann *knew* there was no consent:
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Meanwhile we’re told that people’s disability support plans will be generated by the NDIS computer www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
December 2, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Meanwhile we’re told that people’s disability support plans will be generated by the NDIS computer www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Thank you for this gloriously writerly rain I am in heaven ☁️🌧️ and ohhh those late afternoon golden rays electrifying the grays 🥰
November 30, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Thank you for this gloriously writerly rain I am in heaven ☁️🌧️ and ohhh those late afternoon golden rays electrifying the grays 🥰
“Journalists should not mistake his antics for news.”
Here’s @tommcilroy.bsky.social’s catalogue of antics doubling as a demonstration of the urgent need for greater integrity in politics:
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Here’s @tommcilroy.bsky.social’s catalogue of antics doubling as a demonstration of the urgent need for greater integrity in politics:
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Barnaby Joyce’s scandals have damaged politics. Maybe it’s time for a change of scenery | Tom McIlroy
He was once seen as a Coalition star, but his career in parliament has involved a series of misadventures and bad policies
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:59 PM
“Journalists should not mistake his antics for news.”
Here’s @tommcilroy.bsky.social’s catalogue of antics doubling as a demonstration of the urgent need for greater integrity in politics:
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Here’s @tommcilroy.bsky.social’s catalogue of antics doubling as a demonstration of the urgent need for greater integrity in politics:
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Esther Anatolitis
I did three separate sessions of care this week for my family. I also did 5 night shifts and zero writing. If anyone asks me why the poor can't write I'm gonna use their blood as quill ink.
November 28, 2025 at 9:47 AM
I did three separate sessions of care this week for my family. I also did 5 night shifts and zero writing. If anyone asks me why the poor can't write I'm gonna use their blood as quill ink.
“I know this letter is going to come as a surprise to you, but I have to tell you something…”
Looking back on one of my most impactful campaigns: ‘Dear Person I’ve Been Reluctant to Keep Engaging with but Have Had to for Professional Reasons’ for NAVA after #MeToo
visualarts.net.au/advocacy/cam...
Looking back on one of my most impactful campaigns: ‘Dear Person I’ve Been Reluctant to Keep Engaging with but Have Had to for Professional Reasons’ for NAVA after #MeToo
visualarts.net.au/advocacy/cam...
Public Letter
NAVA leads advocacy, policy and action for an Australian contemporary arts sector that's ambitious and fair.
visualarts.net.au
November 28, 2025 at 4:47 AM
“I know this letter is going to come as a surprise to you, but I have to tell you something…”
Looking back on one of my most impactful campaigns: ‘Dear Person I’ve Been Reluctant to Keep Engaging with but Have Had to for Professional Reasons’ for NAVA after #MeToo
visualarts.net.au/advocacy/cam...
Looking back on one of my most impactful campaigns: ‘Dear Person I’ve Been Reluctant to Keep Engaging with but Have Had to for Professional Reasons’ for NAVA after #MeToo
visualarts.net.au/advocacy/cam...
Be sure to catch this great big bold John Nixon retrospective at Heide over the summer: www.theguardian.com/artanddesign... (That was primarily a note to self! Do not want to miss!)
November 27, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Be sure to catch this great big bold John Nixon retrospective at Heide over the summer: www.theguardian.com/artanddesign... (That was primarily a note to self! Do not want to miss!)
The Elvis Act of Tennessee protects a person’s voice from exploitation without consent.
“Stealing the voice of an artist is theft. It is theft of his integrity, identity and humanity,” said Tim Warnock, a lawyer for the estate of Johnny Cash: www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
“Stealing the voice of an artist is theft. It is theft of his integrity, identity and humanity,” said Tim Warnock, a lawyer for the estate of Johnny Cash: www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Estate of Johnny Cash suing Coca-Cola for using tribute act in advert
The company is being sued under the new Elvis act, which protects a person’s voice from exploitation without consent
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The Elvis Act of Tennessee protects a person’s voice from exploitation without consent.
“Stealing the voice of an artist is theft. It is theft of his integrity, identity and humanity,” said Tim Warnock, a lawyer for the estate of Johnny Cash: www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
“Stealing the voice of an artist is theft. It is theft of his integrity, identity and humanity,” said Tim Warnock, a lawyer for the estate of Johnny Cash: www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Take a quiet moment to celebrate the extraordinary life and impact of Emeritus Professor Graeme Turner AO, a champion of the value of humanities education and the central civic role of the university: humanities.org.au/our-communit...
Vale Emeritus Professor Graeme Turner AO FAHA FQA 1947-2025 – Australian Academy of the Humanities
Graeme Turner AO FAHA, a distiguished humanities and education scholar, passed away on 25 November 2025.
humanities.org.au
November 26, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Take a quiet moment to celebrate the extraordinary life and impact of Emeritus Professor Graeme Turner AO, a champion of the value of humanities education and the central civic role of the university: humanities.org.au/our-communit...
Wow that woman shortage in Sydney must be dire I had no idea www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
All-male lineup take top slots at ABC Sydney after Chris Bath’s shock departure
Director of audio concedes ‘there is always more to do’ on diversity as station staff express dismay at dearth of female presenters
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Wow that woman shortage in Sydney must be dire I had no idea www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
It’s been too long since I’ve been on Noongar boodjar! I’m here as a guest speaker at a special event to honour Aunty Prof Marion Kickett, Noongar Elder and author of the Meanjin Paper in the current edition: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/professor-...
November 24, 2025 at 4:55 AM
It’s been too long since I’ve been on Noongar boodjar! I’m here as a guest speaker at a special event to honour Aunty Prof Marion Kickett, Noongar Elder and author of the Meanjin Paper in the current edition: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/professor-...
👑🚫 It’s time – “past time – for Australia to break its residual constitutional ties with the United Kingdom and its monarchy.” Onya Mark Dreyfus: amp.9news.com.au/article/50ee...
Former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus calls for an Australian republic
amp.9news.com.au
November 23, 2025 at 2:17 AM
👑🚫 It’s time – “past time – for Australia to break its residual constitutional ties with the United Kingdom and its monarchy.” Onya Mark Dreyfus: amp.9news.com.au/article/50ee...
“In the winter you see kids shivering in classrooms because we are only allowed to put the heating on for a single hour… They talk about the digital age, but often basic things like electricity and plugs don’t work. It’s an atrocious situation that needs to be urgently tackled.”
So why the AI?
So why the AI?
Greek secondary school teachers to be trained in using AI in classroom
Greek secondary school teachers to be trained in using AI in classroom
Some teachers and pupils voice concerns about pilot programme after government’s agreement with OpenAI
Secondary school teachers in Greece are set to go through an intensive course in using artificial intelligence tools as the country assumes a frontline role in incorporating AI into its education system.
Next week, staff in 20 schools will be trained in a specialised version of ChatGPT, custom-made for academic institutions, under a new agreement between the centre-right government and OpenAI. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:23 AM
“In the winter you see kids shivering in classrooms because we are only allowed to put the heating on for a single hour… They talk about the digital age, but often basic things like electricity and plugs don’t work. It’s an atrocious situation that needs to be urgently tackled.”
So why the AI?
So why the AI?
“Armanious’s conundrums are not meant to be solved but to be lived with. He stands as an existential sculptor of the everyday, memorialising its absurdities while insisting they be taken seriously.” Max Delaney’s delicious meditation on what art even is:
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/culture/visu...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/culture/visu...
Master of material transformation Hany Armanious
Hany Armanious is an existential sculptor of the everyday, capturing its absurdities while insisting they be taken seriously.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
November 21, 2025 at 9:54 PM
“Armanious’s conundrums are not meant to be solved but to be lived with. He stands as an existential sculptor of the everyday, memorialising its absurdities while insisting they be taken seriously.” Max Delaney’s delicious meditation on what art even is:
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/culture/visu...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/culture/visu...
Tonight! Join Yves Rees and I to talk When Australia Became a Republic www.eventbrite.com.au/e/esther-ana...
November 19, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Tonight! Join Yves Rees and I to talk When Australia Became a Republic www.eventbrite.com.au/e/esther-ana...
“The phrase “go back to where you came from” was a racist, anti-immigrant and nativist trope traceable to the White Australia Policy, the judge said.”
Let’s not continue to see court processes abused to attempt to redefine war crimes, rape, and now racism.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Let’s not continue to see court processes abused to attempt to redefine war crimes, rape, and now racism.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Pauline Hanson’s comments about Mehreen Faruqi unfit for ‘an afternoon tea’ but were not racist, court told
One Nation leader challenging court finding her 2022 posts about Greens senator were ‘seriously offensive’
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:43 AM
“The phrase “go back to where you came from” was a racist, anti-immigrant and nativist trope traceable to the White Australia Policy, the judge said.”
Let’s not continue to see court processes abused to attempt to redefine war crimes, rape, and now racism.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Let’s not continue to see court processes abused to attempt to redefine war crimes, rape, and now racism.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
No, they will be collecting them for purley decorative purposes www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Australia is selling arms at a weapons fair in Dubai. Are they destined to be used in Sudan atrocities?
Australian companies have exported nearly $300m weapons over five years to the UAE, which has denied shipping weapons to a paramilitary group in Sudan
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:20 AM
No, they will be collecting them for purley decorative purposes www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
