In today’s episode, I’m thrilled to introduce Heather Agyepong, a British Ghanaian visual artist, performer, actor, and maker, based in London. Her art practice, deeply concerned with mental health and wellbeing, the diaspora, combines visual art and performance to create an engaging experience for both herself and her audience. Heather's unique approach involves re-imagination to engage communities of interest by placing the self as a central focus within the image.  Our conversation...

In this episode I speak with Bonobo Kavula whose art exists between the intersections of painting, printmaking, drawing, and sculpture, pushing the limitations of each. Initially creating the punched circular discs from canvas, Bonolo has moved to using traditional shweshwe cloth, invoking cultural, ancestral, archival and historical connotations specific to her work. Using her mother’s red shweshwe dress (a family heirloom) as inspiration, bonolo’s work can thus be read through the lens of...

In this episode I speak with Natalie Paneng an innovative New Media artist from South Africa whose work embodies a unique blend of awkwardness and complexity, with a distinct quirkiness in her expression. Leveraging her self-acquired digital expertise and her background in theater, Natalie now excels in creating multifaceted digital art. She identifies as a world builder, viewing her expanding practice as a means to explore, communicate, and document both imagined and alternate realities,...

In this episode, I speak with Anico Mostert a versatile South African artist known for her multi-disciplinary approach, encompassing ceramics, textile design, animation, and painting. Her art focuses on capturing the quiet, everyday moments, characterized by intuitive processes that allow for vivid colors and playful figures. Anico often draws inspiration from social media images to create still-life scenes that blend the ordinary with the surreal. In her works, familiar domestic settings are...

Join us as we journey through the captivating world of art and culture with Sean O'Toole, a veteran journalist, writer, and curator for the solo section in the upcoming 11th edition of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair in 2024. Sean gives us a peek behind the curtain of his life and the art world, along with his experience in curating, discussing the intriguing balancing act between artistic ideas and the medium of painting. We navigate the fascinating history of museums and Biennales in...

As we mark the 100th episode, we're honored to welcome a very special guest – my mother. Sharing her entrepreneurial spirit and wisdom, we delve into my vision of creating a mark in the vast world of media, publishing, filmmaking, and music, underpinned by my deep-seated passion for storytelling. Our conversation explores the intricate dance between resilience, ambition, and the power of social media in shaping today's media industry.  The episode also presents an intimate look into my...

Sit back and immerse yourself in a journey with our extraordinary guest, Cierra Chantel. While grappling with the ups and downs of her formative years, Cierra discovered her sanctuary in the written word, eventually molding her into the accomplished spoken word artist she is today. Listen as the conversation unfolds and she sheds light on her early life struggles and how they steered her path towards a deep connection with the art of the spoken word. Alongside Cierra, we navigate the...

Prepare to immerse yourself in the captivating journey of the humble Rwandan artist who defied societal stereotypes, Manzi Leon. With his inspiring story, he'll transport you to the heart of Africa where he began his artistic journey surrounded by color, joy, struggle, and triumph. Listen to Manzi's riveting narration of his early days, the bitter-sweet moment of selling his first piece for $30, and the thrill of the first art exhibition that marked the beginning of his artistic...

Welcome to an enlightening episode where we journey through the creative path of the exceptionally talented visual artist, Chris Clark. Picture this, a humble artist from Jacksonville, Florida, who's been defying norms, challenging societal stereotypes, and transforming the art landscape since 2016. Now imagine that artist opening up about his fascinating journey, the profound influence of his Rasta upbringing, and his compelling focus on hair representation in art.  Prepare to be blown away...

Get ready for a riveting conversation with the dynamic Tokini Peters-Schebeg! As the founder and CEO of ArtxLagos, the first international art fair of its kind in Africa, Tokini's innovative vision and tenacity have opened a whole new world for art lovers and artists alike. Learn how she navigated her way through tricky fundraising, logistical challenges, and the creation of a Pan-African gallery network to make ArtxLagos a roaring success in just its first year. We journey through the...

Have you ever thought about the power of transformation that lies in the overlooked? Our guest today, Dela Anyah, a renowned Ghanaian artist, has built her career on this very concept. Turning discarded inner tubes into captivating artistry, Dela's work is a testament to the transformation of the mundane into the meaningful; it's about rebirth, identity, and the power of perspective.  Delving deeper into her creative process, Dela walks us through her journey of self-discovery - how he...

Saddle up for a transformative journey into the heart of artistry with our guest Ba Ousmane. Ousmane unique's perspective sees him as a temporal capsule, an enigma whose work only captures 30% of the meaning. The rest, he leaves up to interpretation, challenging the conventional notions of art. His aspiration to become a vessel that transcribes the messages of his work for the community is nothing short of thought-provoking. Ousmane doesn't shy away from sharing how his experience with...

Ever wish you could peek into the mind of a professional artist and discover their secrets? In our latest podcast, renowned stone carver and sculptor, William Peers, generously opens up about his creative journey. He paints a vivid picture of his path to becoming an artist, shedding light on the joys, the challenges, and the eureka moments. Listen as he reveals how he found his passion in carving marble, and how he turned this passion into a rewarding career. As we delve deeper into...

What happens when creativity meets technology? Join us as we explore this fascinating intersection with our special guest, Doug, a seasoned filmmaker and passionate advocate for street art and muralism. We unpick the evolution of this dynamic art form and its journey from vibrant community expression to a tool in the hands of big brands. Doug brings his unique perspective from behind the lens, sharing insights on the art scene in the southeast of England and how the influx of international...

What if the art world was not just exclusive, but inclusive? What if representation and diversity were not just buzzwords but an actual reality? Today, we sit down with the remarkable Kilolo Luckett, an art historian, curator, and passionate storyteller, who takes us on an enthralling journey from her Mississippi roots to her stellar career in the art world. Kilolo opens up about her experiences in white-dominated spaces, highlighting the glaring lack of representation for black curators,...

In this episode, I speak with Lauren Pearce a 34-year-old visual artist from Cleveland Ohio.  Lauren shares her incredible journey as an artist from her financial hardships, exacerbated by her role as a single parent to a child with autism which brought her to moments of emotional and financial vulnerability. The struggle to sell her art intensified these challenges, leading her to question both her artistic value and her role as a provider for her family.  Lauren also speaks about her...

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Mimi Adu-Serwaah a pharmacist who shares her  journey that led her to become a professional painter. Amidst the challenges of 2020, she turned to painting to deepen her connection with scripture. Mimi transitioned from abstract art to figurative work in 2021, feeling a strong urge to explore new dimensions in her craft.  Mimi's unique approach involves painting portraits of black women using marbling and hand-painting techniques, symbolizing the interplay...

In this episode, I speak with Teresa Brutcher, a figurative-realist artist based in Spain. Teresa's work employs the use of bold colors and intricate details drawing viewers into a shared emotional journey of human fears and connections.  Her figurative-realist paintings are showcased in galleries and museums across Spain, Portugal, Germany, and the US, offering a profound exploration of the universal human experience. As a member of Poets and Artists, Teresa Brutcher continues to enrich the...

In this episode, I speak with Capetown-based artist Swain Hoogervorst as he shares his journey from a graphic designer to becoming a professional artist, highlighting the role of mentors and collaborative studio space in shaping his trajectory.  Swain also speaks about the accessibility of Cape Town's art scene for emerging artists, emphasizing the significance of networking and persistence in navigating the art community's dynamics. Swain emphasizes that there is no linear path to success...

In this episode, I speak with Amstamdam-based Esiri Erheriene-Essi who is a figurative painter with a focus on highlighting history and who shares her interest in collecting and creating an archive through her work as a way of questioning narratives.  She paints from a wide collection of photographs, predominantly from the 1960s and 70s – sourced online, at flea markets, and from her family archives. In this episode, we also talk about:  Her interest in illustrating how the relationship...

In this episode, I speak with acclaimed film directors and producers Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah. The directors share their experience putting together the three-part documentary film that has been in the making for over 20 years on the cultural zeitgeist Kanye West. Their Netflix documentary https://www.netflix.com/gh/title/81426972  details Kanye West’s meteoric to fame and his recent plummet from grace. We talk about how the pair met during Kanye West in their early career and the...

In this episode, I speak with textile artist Andrea Van Der Kuil from Johannesburg, South Africa, who is currently based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Andrea is an award-winning production designer, crafter, theatre-maker, performance artist, textile artist, and writer. Her work focuses on textile design, durational performance, and the concepts of labor and women’s work in relation to domestic craft. In this episode we also talk about; Working as a costume designerHer inspiration behind her...

In this episode, I speak with self-taught Nigerian artist Barry Yusufu who works with gradated charcoal drawing techniques and boldly colored acrylic paints to create his iconic works that reflect both a deep-rooted Christian faith and an intense desire to elevate the image of African men and women in art.  Barry cites his work as an intense desire to reflect the modern African as an opportunity to foster an evolution of Africanness. He takes on the challenge of shattering the stereotypes...

In this episode, I speak with Blessing Ngobeni a fine artist who creates abstract works of art with a variety of different objects. Blessing is known for his distinctive style, created with layers of exaggerated figures and contradictory images, He uses his expressionist paintings not only to overtly critique the current status quo but to ask uncomfortable questions about the African’s experience of the world. Blessing's recent works delve into the idea of Africa's haunting past that he uses...