[title]
Australia: beaches, beer and barbecues, right? No way. Since the days of notorious magazine Oz (published in the ’60s and ’70s), Australian artists, curators, writers and musicians have been shaking up London’s art and culture scene. Today the Antipodean attitude is thriving, with upwards of 50,000 Australians living in London.
Although the rate of migration has dropped slightly, you can hardly walk down any street without noticing the influence of Australian culture – for instance, you’ve got Australian-educated baristas to thank for much of the city’s great coffee. Australian art and music have also experienced a renaissance, and London has become a natural international staging ground. This year we’ve seen major shows of Helen Johnson and Australia’s impressionists. All in all, there are myriad ways for Londoners to check out our multi-faceted culture without a 22-hour flight. Jennifer Guerrini Maraldi
Did you know? London has the northern hemisphere’s biggest Australian rules football league. There are eight participating clubs, with men’s and women’s teams and multiple divisions.
Jennifer’s favourite Australian spots in London
For a slice of Antipodean café culture, head to the Australian-owned Brown & Rosie in South Kensington and order an (Australian-roasted) flat white and avocado on toast with poached eggs.
The Clapham Grand’s screening is the closest you’ll get in this hemisphere to the atmosphere of the Australian Football League Grand Final. Doors open at 5am on Saturday September 30, and there’ll be a packed house – hopefully watching the Sydney Swans trounce whoever else turns up.
I’ve co-curated the new exhibition ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’ at Holland Park’s Griffin Gallery, which interrogates the nature of contemporary art and presents the work of six Indigenous Australian artists alongside seven British ones.
If you can get your hands on a ticket, head to The O2 on Saturday September 30 to see Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds, one of the most powerful and exciting live acts in the world.
The best of Australian London, according to you
‘Lantana for brunch, lamingtons at the café at Picturehouse Central and Ultimate Power at the Electric Ballroom for a John Farnham singalong when you’re really homesick.’ Nicole T via Facebook
‘Love in a Cup, Brick Lane: Tim Tams, Wagon Wheels and other expat childhood delights, plus great coffee.’ @WIKIVILLAGEUK via Twitter