In this episode, we speak to artist eL Seed about his phenomenal career creating immense works in public spaces; from a mural on a minaret in his hometown of Gabes in Tunisia, to a vast mural across the neighbourhood of Manshiyat Nasr in Cairo. We talk about his practice and how he uses art as a way of challenging perceptions and creating unity amongst people. If you are enjoying The Art Persists Podcast, please FOLLOW, RATE, and SHARE. Only with your help can these stories be heard. eL Seed...

In this episode, we speak to Nigerian multi-disciplinary artist Jelili Atiku. We discuss his performance work that highlights social issues in Nigeria and beyond including political assassinations, the devasting impact of Boko Haram, and the destruction of traditional values by the British during colonialism. Thank you to Jelili for joining us for this episode. If you are enjoying The Art Persists Podcast, please FOLLOW, RATE, and SHARE. Only with your help can these stories be heard. Jelili...

In this episode, we speak to Iranian visual artist Soheila Sokhanvari. We chat about her experience leaving Iran to the UK as a young woman, the road accident that caused her to leave her career as a biochemist and pursue her dream of becoming an artist, and her current exhibition Rebel Rebel, honouring 28 Iranian female artists who were forced to abandon their careers after the Iranian Revolution in the 70s. Thank you to Soheila for joining us for this episode. If you are enjoying The Art...

In this episode, we speak to Syrian activist and filmmaker Waad al-Kateab. We discuss her early life growing up in Syria and her experience of the Syrian Revolution in 2011 which soon descended into war. Waad describes her life during the war as a young mother, filmmaker, and human being, and her experience of fame after the release of For Sama. Thank you to Waad for joining us for this episode. If you are enjoying The Art Persists Podcast, please FOLLOW, RATE, and SHARE. Only with your help...

In this episode, we speak to Fredrik Elg and Laura Kauer Garcia from Safe Havens Freedom Talks. We discuss their work, which provides open platforms for artists, activists, and human rights defenders from all around the world, and the state of artistic freedom today. Thank you to Fredrik and Laura for joining us for this episode. If you are enjoying The Art Persists Podcast, please FOLLOW, RATE, and SHARE. Only with your help can these stories be heard. Safe Havens Freedom Talks (SH|FT) is a...

In the first episode of Season 2, we speak to British-Egyptian photographer, Laura El-Tantawy. We discuss Laura’s expansive career as a photographer, from her moving images of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, exploring her experience as both a photographer and an Egyptian, to the challenges photographers face today, and how she maintains the dignity of her subjects. Thank you to Laura for joining us for this episode. If you are enjoying The Art Persists Podcast, please FOLLOW, RATE, and SHARE....

In the Season 1 finale, we speak to Sudanese political cartoonist, Khalid Albaih. Khalid talks about his political cartoons, responding to global events including the so-called Refugee Crisis in Europe, to the revolutions that erupted across the Middle East during the Arab Spring, and the more recent revolution in Sudan. Khalid also describes the risk associated with his work, along with shadow banning on Instagram, and Sudan Retold, an artbook he created featuring 31 Sudanese artists who...

In this episode, we speak to creative duo Sai and K, who tell us about their work in arts and culture in Myanmar and the 2021 military coup that changed their lives forever - leading to Sai’s father being imprisoned by the military and the couple fleeing the country for their lives. Thank you to both Sai and K for sharing their story. If you are enjoying The Art Persists Podcast, please FOLLOW, RATE, and SHARE. Only with your help can these stories be heard. Sai is a Burmese multidisciplinary...

In this episode, we speak to Uyghur activist, singer, and translator Rahima Mahmut. Rahima describes the history of persecution against the Uyghur people in China and the genocide happening to them today. She also talks about the rich Uyghur culture, traditions, and music and how singing has acted as a relief amongst her round-the-clock campaigning for Uyghur rights in the UK.Thank you to Rahima for sharing her story, work, and music. Featured songs (in order of appearance): Leven Yarla,...

In this episode, we chat to Ukrainian artist Zhenya Oliinyk about her life and work. In the interview, Zhenya talks about how art provides a platform in which she expresses herself and her experience of living in a country under attack. She also describes her decision to stop speaking Russian altogether, and the “internalised Ukrainophobia” she and her peers overcome through language.Zhenya Oliinyk is an illustrator and cartoonist from Kyiv, Ukraine. She's also a former journalist and a...

We speak to Jemimah Steinfeld, editor-in-chief of Index on Censorship magazine, about the role of art in defying censorship and defending freedom of expression worldwide. We also discuss her experience living in China and her work as a journalist and author.Jemimah Steinfeld is the editor-in-chief of Index on Censorship magazine. She used to live in Beijing and Shanghai and is author of the book Little Emperors and Material Girls: Sex and Youth in Modern China. Her writing has appeared in...

We launch our new series with Lady Liberty Hong Kong, a pro-democracy artivists group in Hong Kong. Forming in the early stages of the 2019-2020 Hong Kong protests, the group is committed to rallying Hongkongers, providing support for protestors, and raising international awareness towards Hong Kong's struggle towards democracy.In the episode, we speak to Flash, a member of the collective who opens up about his life and work. Flash takes us through his experience of the 2019 - 2020 protests...

Welcome to The Art Persists Podcast - a new series offering a glimpse into the life of artists and activists bridging the arts, activism, and human rights around the world.Launching Monday, 4 July 2022.