OLIVIA J. BENNETT


Hello! I’m an arts writer, researcher and critic based in Brisbane, Australia. 

I've reviewed and written about art, film, music, and digital culture in Australian and international publications. I’ve also played a pivotal role in the programming, digital production, and successful delivery of numerous projects within Australia’s film and music industry.

I'm fascinated by how global trends intertwine with personal stories, revealing the impact of cultural issues on our daily lives. In my work, I prefer to experiment with non-linear storytelling, multiple perspectives, and mixed media to capture the intricacy of modern cultural tensions.

I’ve been honoured to participate in Gertrude Contemporary’s Emerging Writers Program and the Melbourne International Film Festival’s Critics Campus.

I'm also a freelance copywriter, content writer, and strategist whose work is driven by principles of complexity and interconnectedness.

With five years of freelancing, three years in agency environments, and two years navigating Melbourne's strictest COVID-19 lockdowns, I've faced real tests of resilience and adaptability in my career. This experience has enriched my ability to develop copywriting, content, and strategy for various sectors, including tech, health, lifestyle, retail, design, construction, hospitality and (of course) the arts.

I completed a Bachelor of Art History and Curating at Monash University, majoring in Film Studies. For my BA Honours thesis in Screen and Cultural Studies at Melbourne University, I argued that the documentary films of Harvard University’s Sensory Ethnography Lab are hyperobjects. Applying Timothy Morton’s concept through poetics, I explored their capacity to provoke a transgressive experience of ecological thought and feeling.

On a personal note, I'm on track to pass the DELF B2 French exam in 2025, and I am currently working on launching new business ventures that will further leverage my expertise and passions.

Souhaitez-moi bonne chance!

NEW BLUE SUN

André 3000



André 3000's constant companion, a wooden double flute, becomes a focal point in New Blue Sun, marking his debut to the solo scene after decades as a rap heavyweight. This album ventures into ambient territory, blending jazz-inspired flute, percussion and subtle digital embellishments. Drawing inspiration from the experimental jazz projects of American composer and Afrofuturist Sun Ra, André steers the listener through a meditative journey, transitioning from the humidity of a tropical rainforest to the crisp air of a glacial mountaintop. While commendable, New Blue Sun aligns more with genre traditions than pushing them forward. The album's purpose seems rooted in Andre's personal clarity, evident in the candid, sentence-long titles. ‘I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a ‘Rap' Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time' captures this unfiltered expression. The album radiates with an impassioned, almost all-consuming dedication, spotlighting an artist negotiating a mature trajectory for his genre-defining rap stylings.