Ministry of Arts Podcast

In this episode Gary Mansfield talks to Maggi Hambling

Maggi Hambling is a prominent British painter and sculptor known for her expressive, often controversial work. Born in 1945 in Sudbury, Suffolk, she studied at the Ipswich School of Art and later at the Royal College of Art. Hambling’s art spans painting, sculpture and public memorials, frequently exploring themes of death, memory and the sea.

One of her most famous public works is the Scallop (2003), a steel sculpture on Aldeburgh beach dedicated to the composer Benjamin Britten. The piece sparked debate but has since become an iconic landmark. Hambling also created the Oscar Wilde Memorial Sculpture near Trafalgar Square.
Her paintings are often energetic and gestural, reflecting strong emotion and movement.

Throughout her career, Hambling has been recognised for her bold artistic voice and her willingness to challenge traditional expectations in British art.

To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts

For full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Social Media: @ministryofartsorg
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In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Calum Hall of Creative Debuts (@CreativeDebuts)

Creative Debuts connect artists with brands, businesses, and art lovers - through art rental, commissions, events, and storytelling that sparks real change.

Founded in 2013 by Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree Calum Hall, Creative Debuts exists to make the art world fairer, bolder, and more accessible.

They’re not just an art platform - They’re a movement. They give underrepresented artists a platform, and help brands bring creativity and culture into their spaces through budget-friendly, flexible art consultancy services.


FACE 2 FACE
On March 5th, Creative Debuts return IRL at Laundry Studios in Hackney, London, for a new chapter of their long-running event series, bringing artists, art lovers, creatives and culture-shapers together once again in a shared space.
The exhibition theme, FACE 2 FACE, puts human connection front and centre.

For more information on the work of Creative Debuts go to
https://www.creativedebuts.co.uk/


To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts

For full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Social Media: @ministryofartsorg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this REWIND episode Gary Mansfield talks to sound artist Martyn Ware (@martynware), music producer and founding member of both Human League & Heaven 17.

Martyn co-curated ReAnimate, an exhibition of sound spread over several rooms of the National Portrait Gallery where several artists were invited to create sound portraits, as part of the Late Shift Extra events. For The National Trust’s One and All project Martyn created What Does the Sea Say?, an interactive soundscape housed within a typical British beach hut.

Although recordings were made by the sea, this work travelled around the UK. Martyn’s latest creation is an urban soundscape is entitled; Everything Old is New Again which accompanied the visual experience of the Forest of Imagination in Bath during the summer of 2019, where statements made by the old were read aloud by the young and vice versa (a link for which is found below).
https://soundcloud.com/martynware/everything-old-is-new-again-stereo-binaural

For more information of Martyn’s sound installations, past and present visit; www.illustriouscompany.co.uk Martyn is touring throughout 2019 with Heaven 17

To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts

For full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Social Media: @ministryofartsorg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Pure Evil (@MichelleHeron.art)

Michelle Heron is best known for her evocative paintings of shop-fronts, which capture the quiet character of everyday streets.
Working primarily in oil, Heron focuses on independent shops, cafés and small businesses, often depicting them closed, weathered or slightly worn. Her work is less about commerce and more about memory, place and passing time. By isolating shop-fronts and removing figures, she invites viewers to reflect on changing high streets and the social histories embedded in familiar buildings.

Her muted colour palettes and careful attention to signage, reflections and typography give each painting a strong sense of atmosphere. Through these seemingly ordinary subjects, Heron elevates overlooked spaces into thoughtful, nostalgic portraits of contemporary British life.

Thank you to Tani Burns for making this conversation happen

For more information on the work of Michelle Heron go to
https:// MichelleHeron.co.uk


To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts

For full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Social Media: @ministryofartsorg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this REWIND episode (recorded: Feb 2019) Gary Mansfield speaks to Katie Piper OBE (@katiepiper_)

Katie Piper OBE is popular TV presenter/personality, model, writer, activist and a whole lot more.
In 2008 she was horrifically attacked with acid, severely scarring her face and chest; she also lost the sight of her left eye.
Katie later founded the Katie Piper Foundation, helping others’ deal with living with such injuries.

In 2018, Gary Mansfield created an exhibition called FaceValue, where 30 artists would donate a piece of artwork, and I would deface it [aesthetically] in some way. The question was asked, “If something/one has their identity changed by a third-party, are they devalued by society, or viewed as unique?” The artists’ collectively donated the works to the Katie Piper Foundation.


To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts

For full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Social Media: @ministryofartsorg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.