Season 2 of the My Modern Met Top Artist podcast wraps up by chatting with acclaimed sculptor Lorenzo Quinn. Art historian Jessica Stewart speaks with Quinn about growing up with a famous father, how he gets inspiration for his monumental sculptures,  and why he began sculpting hands. It's a conversation you won't want to miss.  Follow Lorenzo's work on his website and Instagram. We'd love to learn more about you so that we can make the show better! Please take a minute to fill out our...

Designers fung+bedford are a husband and wife duo that create origami-inspired large-scale paper installations they call "architectural origami." Join host Sam Pires as she gives into their creative process and how they transitioned from making award-winning jewelry to executing these incredible installations. Did you know that we're on YouTube? Watch your favorite episode now! Follow us on Instagram to see some of the visuals we talked about in today's episode. We want to hear from you!...

Toronto-based artist Ava Roth creates total unique encaustic art with the help of honeybees. And yes, you read that right, honeybees. This week on the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast, we interview Ava about exploring artistic creativity and collaborating with our busy little friends on her mixed-media pieces. Tune in to hear us talk about the unique process behind Ava's current series of work in which she suspends her encaustic collages in embroidery hoops fixed to Longstroth hive frames....

Artist Caledonia Curry, aka Swoon, is best known for her signature wheatpaste and cut-paper installations. This week on the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast, we interview Swoon about her career as an anonymous street artist. At only 19 years old, she skyrocketed to success on the forefront of New York's early 2000s street art movement. Even after her early breakthrough, Swoon has been able to remain creatively fulfilled by shifting her focus towards community-based projects such as her...

Flags are incredibly effective symbols in uniting people and inspiring change, yet what exactly makes a well-designed flag? This week on the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast, we interview the team behind "True South", Antarctica's first flag. True South's designer Evan Townsend, vexillologist Michael Green, and arctic researcher Celas Marie-Sainte team up to discuss what makes the flag a remarkable design and unifying symbol for Antarctica's preservation. Evan talks about the incredible...

Artist Brian Peterson paints his neighbors experiencing homelessness and uses the money from sold portraits to support their rehabilitation. This week on the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast, we interview Brian about his non-profit that was founded on this process, Faces of Santa Ana. Brian admits approaching strangers isn't easy, but his ability to connect with those experiencing homelessness has led to some remarkably heartwarming stories. In the episode, Brian shares how approaching a...

As we get ready for the new year, we thought we’d take some time to reflect on our favorite moments from this past season. We've been so lucky to have had such an incredible roster of artists come on the show in 2021, so this week on the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast, we’re looking back at some of our favorite moments in a special "2021 Holiday Bonus" episode. You’ll hear from our hosts Jessica, Sam, and Sara, as well as our podcast editor Alex, as they share the moments from this past...

Photographer Ami Vitale documents endangered animals and the special bonds they share with their caretakers. This week on the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast, we interview Ami Vitale and get a behind-the-scenes look at how she captured some of her most stunning work. You may have seen one of her more famous images featured on the front cover of National Geographic Magazine following the death of Sudan, the world's last male Northern White Rhino, or her coverage of the rescue operation to...

Architect Craig Dykers is the co-founder of Snøhetta, an international design collective whose transdisciplinary approach and emphasis on diversity have contributed to a deep portfolio of visually remarkable and environmentally thoughtful work. From their redesign of the Knubben harbor bath in Norway resembling that of a topographic map to their pedestrian-focused remodel of Times Square in recent years, Snøhetta has oriented itself as a global leader in contemporary design and architecture...

Textile artist Benjamin Shine uses swathes of tulle to fabricate flowing three-dimensional portraits of unnamed figures, often suggesting ideas of energy and impermanence. A true master of his material, Benjamin’s work has been recognized and exhibited globally, with his clients and collaborations including The MET, Vogue, and many others. This week on the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast, we interview Benjamin Shine about his artistic journey, beginning with his initial resistance towards...

Illustrator, author, and ARTivist Nikkolas Smith creates thoughtful images that spark much-needed conversations around issues of social justice. From Michelle Obama to Janet Jackson, his work has been recognized by some of the most well-known names on the planet. You may have seen his heartfelt portrait of George Floyd in the media after Floyd's murder by police in mid-2020, or his illustration of Martin Luther King Jr. in a hoodie to express solidarity shortly after the killing of Trayvon...

Architect Dorte Mandrup designs stunning structures that integrate seamlessly into their environment. Her self-described “irreplaceable places” are exactly that: entirely unique designs that have found their way into some of the most breath-taking places in nature. This week on the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast, we interview Dorte Mandrup about those irreplaceable places, from concept development to final designs. Dorte discusses her role as a leader in the design field, where she’s...

Artist Gabriel Dawe creates wondrous work using thread. His incredible site-specific Plexus installations—some in art galleries and others in places like airports—feature a rainbow array of thread spanning architectural elements. This week on the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast we interview Gabriel about his installation art, from its conceptual development to the logistical obstacles. We'll also delve into the personal side of making art and Gabriel's personal quest for self-improvement....

Conservation photographer Cristina Mittermeier has dedicated her career to capturing the incredible life in our ocean. In addition to capturing beautiful images, she uses her work to make a real impact. In this episode of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast, we chat with Cristina about her photography and how every piece of art she creates is tied to a “call to action” focused on protecting our environment.

Architect Cliff Tan of Dear Modern believes that architecture should be available to everyone, not just the wealthy. He uses social media to teach about feng shui and design to help people find the best use for their space. This week on the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast, we talk to Cliff about the impact he is making with his platform and his view of architecture and design. Tune in for an episode on architecture, feng shui, and the idea of sharing your work to inspire good design and to...

Textile artist Bisa Butler uses the traditional craft of quilting to create incredible portraits of Black stories. This week on the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast, we interview Bisa about the meaning behind her portraits and how she brings lost histories back to life. We think you’ll really enjoy hearing about these unexpected narratives that Bisa represents in colorful textures and bright patterns.

Photographer Jamel Shabazz has been photographing New York and its hip-hop culture for decades. This week on the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast, we interview Jamel on his career and how he uses photography to make connections with the people around him. Listen in for beautiful stories on photography acting as “visual medicine” for people mourning loved ones, healing from a difficult past, or just reminiscing on their community.

We're pleased to present a special collaboration with the ArtCurious podcast. In this bonus episode, Top Artist host Jessica Stewart and ArtCurious host Jennifer Dasal discuss some great moments in art history, where art—or the artist—made an impact. 

We have officially wrapped up the first season of My Modern Met's Top Artist Podcast! Hosts Jessica Stewart, Sara Barnes, Sonya Harris, and Samantha Pires got together to reflect on our first twenty episodes of the show. We also discuss next season's theme of "Impact" and introduce you to some awesome guests to look forward to. 

This week on My Modern Met's Top Artist Podcast, we talk with painter Elyse Dodge about how she developed her unique style and much more! Dodge describes her work as the “intersection between art and design.” You can find the result of this beautiful hybrid in her colorful landscapes with abstracted low poly mountains.

This week on My Modern Met's Top Artist Podcast, we talk with street artist Alexandre Farto, also known as Vhils. Known for his groundbreaking carving and explosive street art, Vhils has made a name for himself by revealing thoughtful narratives behind city life. His work reimagines the role of graffiti as a method of reckoning with our past and celebrating our shared history.

This week on My Modern Met's Top Artist Podcast, we talk with artist Alexa Meade. Alexa is known for her innovative technique of painting on the human body and 3D spaces to create an illusion that they are 2D pieces of art. We'll explore how Alexa moved from a career in politics to starting a successful art career and creating a team to help execute her vision. We'll also look behind the scenes at some of her most popular projects and discuss her venture into the world of NFT art.

This week on My Modern Met's Top Artist Podcast, we talk with media artist Refik Anadol of Refik Anadol Studio. This studio creates incredible pieces of art that exist in the public realm and seek to accessible to people of “any age, any background, and any culture.” Anadol’s media art exists in the form of incredibly immersive audio/visual installations, stunning projections, and parametric data sculptures that all explore the relationship between humanity and technology.

This week on Top Artist Podcast, we talk with photographer Fares Micue about her striking self-portraits that tell interesting stories about self-growth and mental health. Using imagery of flowers, origami, and other delicate props, Micue transforms self-portraits into beautiful narratives about life. Her work is accompanied by thoughtful prose that brings new meaning to each piece.