In the newsletter: Banksy, Tilda Swinton and other things that are not Game of Thrones

Hello! You're reading the CBC Arts newsletter, and if you like what you see, stick around! Sign up here, and every Sunday we'll send you a fresh email packed with art, culture and a metric truckload of eye candy, hand-picked by our small and mighty team. Here's what we've been talking about this week.

Hi, art lovers!

What are we reading?

Game of Thrones ended a week ago, sure — but if you're still getting sucked into rants about the Night's Watch and water bottles, it's time to bring something fresh to the conversation. "What's the real reason fans hate the last season of Game of Thrones?" Beyond that clickbait-y headline lies an essay that'll help you sound like the smartest kid at the party (if anyone would just stop yammering about all the poor babies named Daenerys long enough to listen to you). There are some interesting points to consider about the show's shift away from what the author calls "sociological storytelling." (And yeah, she gets in a few bitchy barbs about Benioff and Weiss, too.)

But hey, writing is hard, even if you've been published a bajillion times. Danielle Steel — my Grade 4 teacher's favourite romance novelist and yours — has written 179 books, and this article about her daily habits might alter your interest in cultivating a cushy work-life balance. (Or, maybe it'll just inspire you to use a typewriter.) 

Need a new laptop? This one doubles as a conceptual art project (and it's preloaded with six of the world's most destructive computer viruses). Toronto-based Cree artist Kent Monkman was commissioned by The Met to make "monumental paintings" for the New York museum's Great Hall. Also, Tilda Swinton curated an art show about Orlando, because of course. She discussed it with The New York Times.

What are we watching?

In extremely Banksy news, the artist surfaced at the Venice Biennale where he was hawking paintings before being shooed away by authorities. In an extremely Banksy move, all of this was, of course, recorded. From street art to that pile of silver balls off Edmonton's Whitemud Drive — at some time or another, maybe you've asked yourself: how does public art get funded? And why? Here's a helpful explanation from the always informative and entertaining The Art Assignment.

And because we promised you eye candy

Winnipeg-born artist Sarah Anne Johnson has a solo exhibition of new work. It's on now at Toronto's Stephen Bulger Gallery. Take a peek.

Maybe it's because this week's museum guide was about the Textile Museum of Canada, but I really wanted to give some newsletter love to a couple of Canadian-raised artists I've been following forever on Instagram. You might remember Hannah Epstein (@gdgrlhanski) from this story way, way back.

And Patricia Larocque (@ffembroidery) makes me wish I had the necessary callouses to embroider. Also the skill and imagination. So much of that.

You've got to see this

An artist's guide to the Textile Museum of Canada - Is this tour going to be all about quilts or something? Well, yes, there are quilts. But through the eyes of artist Emily Jan (remember the fantasy taxidermy of Emily Jan?) this unassuming Toronto attraction holds major inspiration. Come to think of it, some of the tips Emily shares could really change the way you approach any museum. If you're looking for a little help kickstarting your imagination, this guide's definitely recommended.

Who was Shanawdithit? - She's thought to be the last surviving member of the Beothuk, and while her story's been told before...colonialism, man. This new opera, co-directed by acclaimed Algonquin theatre artist Yvette Nolan, is striving to be a more authentic retelling of Shanawdithit's history, and it involves artists from Indigenous communities around the country — including choreographer Michelle Olson and visual artists Lori Blondeau, Jordan Bennett, Jerry Evans and Meagan Musseau. We were there for rehearsals. Watch for the opera, Shanawdithit, in St. John's June 21.

What would you make if you had the space, time and tools? - So, in other words, what would you do if you landed an artist residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity? In the video, Calgary-based artist Svea Ferguson will show you how she's taken advantage of that particular opportunity. Getting the chance to learn a brand new skill — making cyanotype prints — was a big part of how she used her time. She even taught our host, Amanda Parris, some of the basics. Watch and see!

Follow this artist

Ilona Fiddy (@nocentjokes) - All day Saturday, Ilona repped for CBC Arts at the CBC Music Festival in Toronto. (Thanks, Ilona!) She and Tee Fergus (another Art Hurts star!) were on site doing hand-drawn (temporary!) tattoos, and if you were lucky enough to get one...you're going to tag @cbcarts in all your Instagram pics, right? I wanna see what you got!

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Until next week!

XOXO, CBC Arts