A conversation with John Kunemund of Alexander Gray Associates about the gallery’s recent exhibit Conjuring Tenderness: Paintings from 1987 which featured the work of the late artist Hugh Steers. Known for his evocative and deeply personal works, Steers' paintings capture moments of vulnerability and intimacy, often set against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis of the 1980s. In the conversation, we explore the context of Steers' work, his unique artistic vision, and his work’s continued ability...

A conversation with Michael Findlay about his new book "Portrait of the Art Dealer as a Young Man: New York in the Sixties." In this generously illustrated memoir, Findlay traces his journey from his childhood in Scotland to his influential career in New York, where he directed one of the first art galleries in SoHo. We discuss his experiences launching solo exhibitions for artists like John Baldessari and Hannah Wilke, his relationships with iconic figures such as Andy Warhol and Ray...

A conversation with Natalie Dupecher, Associate Curator of Modern Art at the Menil Collection, about the fascinating and often overlooked artist Janet Sobel. Known for her pioneering drip painting technique and “all over” aesthetic, Sobel significantly influenced the Abstract Expressionist movement, even preceding Jackson Pollock. We discuss Sobel’s artistic development, her use of unconventional materials, and her work’s bridging of surrealism to abstract expressionism. We also delve into...

A conversation with Mad Butter, a pioneering figure in the evolution of AI art. As a classically trained artist and tech entrepreneur, Mad Butter has dedicated himself to fostering a vibrant community and creating educational resources for AI artists. He has co-hosted the daily AI Art Today program on X Spaces (formerly Twitter Spaces) for over three years and is currently launching a groundbreaking AI program at the School of Visual Arts in New...

A conversation with art collector Eric Green. Eric and his wife Debbie are the founders of the Green Family Art Foundation, which they run along with their son Adam Green, an acclaimed art advisor who recently landed on ARTnews’ list of Top 75 Art World Professionals. In the episode, we delve into Eric's personal journey as a collector, from his first art history class to the construction of his foundation’s prominent exhibition space in the heart of Dallas’ museum district. In particular, we...

A conversation with author Michael Lobel to discuss his new book, “Van Gogh and the End of Nature”. Lobel offers a groundbreaking reassessment of Vincent van Gogh, revealing how the artist's work is deeply intertwined with the industrial age and its environmental impacts. In the conversation, we explore how Van Gogh’s art, often seen as a pure reflection of nature, is in fact a poignant commentary on the era's ecological challenges, making his work profoundly relevant to today's environmental...

A conversation with artist Ronny Quevedo. Ronny’s work is an intricate exploration of identity, culture, and history, often drawing from his personal experiences and heritage. Through his unique approach, Quevedo skillfully blends elements of sports, garment making, and indigenous traditions to create thought-provoking pieces that challenge conventional narratives. The discussion explores the arc of his career, his latest show at Alexander Gray in New York and an upcoming project at the Menil...

A conversation with artist Gisela Colón. Gisela is a Puerto Rican-American artist who explores themes of energy, time, and our place in the universe through the construction of totem-like sculptures and colorful reliefs. She is particularly known for her use of unique, light-activated colors which refract light in unexpected ways. In the conversation, Gisela discusses her roots in Puerto Rico, her affiliation with West Coast minimalism and her current exhibits in New York and...

A conversation with author Rochelle Gurstein about her new book “Written in Water: The Ephemeral Life of the Classic in Art”. Gurstein set out to explore and establish a solid foundation for the classic in the history of taste. However, to her surprise, that history instead revealed repeated episodes of soaring and falling reputations, rediscoveries of long-forgotten artists, and radical shifts in the canon, all of which went so completely against common knowledge that it was hard to believe...

A conversation with artist Pam Glick. In the conversation, the Buffalo native discusses her lifelong fascination with Niagara Falls and its persistent influence on her work. We also discuss her time at RISD, the evolution of her abstract work, and her ability to overcome the hurdles that life throws at each of us. Pam Glick at Stephen Friedman Exhibition: "Bark"

A conversation with the celebrated artist Stanley Whitney. Known for his vibrant use of color and rhythmic compositions, Stanley will take us through the journey of his illustrious career, including its pivotal moments, challenges, and triumphs. Stanley currently has two major exhibitions of his work on view. First, a survey of new work titled "By the Love of Those Unloved" at Gagosian’s 980 Madison Avenue location in New York. And second, a comprehensive retrospective titled  "How High the...

A conversation with digital artist and author diewiththemostlikes, whose work consists of short creative prose and digital graphics which examine the human condition through an absurdist lens. Die’s work is filled with scenes of consumption and excess by figures oblivious of the death and decay around them. I encourage listeners to follow the links in the episode description to understand more clearly the nature of his work, especially on the platform formerly known as Twitter. Previous guest...

A conversation with Daniel Walbidi, an extraordinary indigenous Australian artist whose work bridges the spiritual and ancient wisdom of the desert with contemporary artistic expression. The one-on-one discussion with Daniel provided the unique opportunity to connect through the common language of visual art with someone nearly 10,000 miles away. In the conversation, Daniel and I discuss his creative process, the significance of his cultural heritage, and the importance of place in his art....

A conversation with Jordan Schnitzer, the world's foremost collector of prints and multiples. In the conversation, we discuss Jordan’s undeniable passion for art, his thoughts on collecting, and his unwavering support for arts programming. In particular, we delve into his support of a current exhibition at The Getty titled "First Came a Friendship: Sidney B. Felsen and the Artists at Gemini G.E.L." For over five decades, Gemini G.E.L Co-Founder Sidney B. Felsen has documented the vibrant life...

A conversation with Jim Shaw, an artist known for his eclectic approach and profound commentary on contemporary culture. Jim's expansive body of work spans a variety of media, from large-scale paintings to intricate drawings, each piece offering a window into his rich and complex imagination. Throughout his career, Jim has drawn heavily on post-war popular advertising, using the familiar visuals of mid-century America as a backdrop for his exploration of society's undercurrents. In the...

A conversation with the legendary art critic, Roberta Smith. For nearly five decades, Roberta has been a guiding force in the art world, shaping conversations and perceptions with her incisive critiques and unparalleled insights. From her early days working alongside Donald Judd to her illustrious tenure at The New York Times, Roberta's journey through the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary art offers a unique perspective on the intersection of creativity, criticism, and culture. In the...

A conversation with the iconic Jeffrey Deitch regarding an exciting 2022 exhibition at Deitch’s Los Angeles gallery that has been synthesized into a new book titled "Luncheons on the Grass," available now from Rizzoli Electa. The innovative exhibition revisited and reimagined Édouard Manet’s seminal work, Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe, a painting that shocked the 1863 Parisian art scene and is often heralded as the first modern painting. Our conversation explores how Deitch convinced over thirty of...

A conversation with artist Tara Donovan. Donovan is renowned for transforming everyday objects into breathtaking, organic installations. Through her meticulous accumulations of materials such as plastic cups, straws, and toothpicks, Donovan continues to delve into areas of transcendence and transformation by making the mundane magnificent. Her sculptures and installations not only invite viewers to reconsider the materials that populate their daily lives but also explore the complex interplay...

A conversation with artist Tony Cragg. Known for his dynamic, often swirling forms that push the boundaries of material and movement, Cragg’s work is a testament to the endless possibilities of sculpture. His innovative use of materials, including bronze, steel, plywood, glass and a variety of synthetic compounds, allows him to explore and express complex forms that make reference to nature, science, and the intrinsic properties of the objects that surround us. The conversation touches on a...

A conversation with artist Rick Lowe. Renowned for his pioneering work with Project Row Houses in Houston, Lowe's creative endeavors have reshaped the landscape of contemporary art and in 2014 earned him a MacArthur Fellowship. In our conversation, we explore the concept of social sculpture and its ability to transcend traditional art boundaries to catalyze societal transformation. We also explore Lowe's personal evolution, including his celebrated return to painting and his current exhibit...

A conversation with author Mark Polizzotti about his new book Why Surrealism Matters which chronicles the philosophies and milestones of the iconic 20th century movement. In the conversation, Mark describes the lasting impact that the Surrealists’ world view has had on societies worldwide, as well as its ability to transform minds still today. https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300257090/why-surrealism-matters/ https://www.amazon.com/Why-Surrealism-Matters-ebook/dp/B0CRHDFF1R

A conversation with Katarina Feder, Vice President and Director Of Business Development at Artist Rights Society, an organization which has spent more than 35 years guiding artists through the often obscure realm of copyright and intellectual property matters by providing licensing expertise, legal support, advocacy, and educational outreach. ARS works on behalf of artists to manage the licensing of works of art for editorial and commercial purposes with museums, auction houses, scholars,...

A conversation with Lissa McClure, Executive Director of the Woodman Family Foundation about the life and work of Francesca Woodman and her organization’s new partnership with Gagosian Gallery to represent Woodman’s work beginning with an exhibition at Gagosian’s 555 West 24th Street location in New York which opens March 13. In the conversation, Lissa discusses Woodman’s prodigious work, her fondness for allegory, her fascination with surrealism, and the legacy that the organization is...

A conversation with Frances Beatty, Managing Director of the Ray Johnson Estate. Known for his masterful use of collage, Johnson was a key figure in the ‘50s Pop Art scene, as well as a pioneer in the areas of conceptualism, performance art and mail art. Beatty takes time to discuss Ray Johnson’s colorful life and the impact that he had on the art icons and everyday people in his social network. No longer overlooked, Johnson has become a popular subject of academic research whose stature in...