Franc Roddam made a name for himself with the film Quadrophenia. If that wasn’t enough, he later created the small matter of popular TV show Masterchef. Discussing, among other things, his well-known work that encapsulated an era and the need “to know what is true and what is false” in the Directorial chair, Roddam opens up about his 70s experience.
Writer, artist and educator Professor Colin Rhodes is an expert on Outsider Art. The author of Outsider Art: Spontaneous Alternatives, here he lends his historical and authoritative knowledge to help demystify the medium and discuss its origins.
Helen Kirkum is stitching together both the remnants of shoes and a distinctive new look. The “sneaker collagist” achieves more than a mere recycling job; her creatively customized sneakers have already led to her teaming up with Adidas’ MakerLab project, for her individual take on the Campus 80 silhouette.
We visited Christopher Bucklow’s Somerset studio, where he creates dream-like portraits through experimental pinhole photography.
We sat down with LA based artist Alex Israel inside his new show "Always On My Mind" at the Gagosian in London.
We unearthed lost tapes from outsider artist Donald Pass. Here he describes the experiences which inspired the angels and resurrected souls who populate his art.
We met with potter, painter and tapestry maker Grayson Perry in his London studio to hear how his worked changed from 2005-2015. The artist explained his journey from art to television and why he chooses to work with clay and weaving.
Experimenting with dyes and pushing the line between art and fashion Samuel Monaghan is Creative Director of Second Best. We sat down with Monaghan to hear how his work has been shaped by his northern heritage and adopting the mentality of the hardcore scene.
In Episode 4 of Make Me a Model, we join fashion photographer, Alma Rosaz, fresh of the back of the Adidas Gardening Club Campaign with Alan Titchmarsh. Expect some bold looks.
Contemporary artist and visionary Marc Quinn has, quite literally, shed blood for his art. Perhaps his most well-known work, Self, creates a cast of his head with ten pints of his own blood, and is remade every five years. Discussing his entrance into the world of art, permanence and impermanence in his work, and his interest in how ‘art makes itself’, Quinn looks over the years 1981-91 for our ‘Decades’ series.
Henry Boxer is one of the finest British experts and dealers of outsider art. His gallery – The Henry Boxer Outsider Art Gallery – is the leading gallery of its kind in the UK, representing the works of over 120 artists. There are, therefore, few people better-placed to discuss this particular artistic sphere as part of our ‘Outsider Art’ series.
Portrait artist Ania Hobson is gaining all the plaudits for her work, leading most notably to her winning the Young Artist BP Portrait Award last year. With a degree in fine art, as well as having studied Portraiture at the Florence Academy of Art and at the Princes Drawing School, there’s no limit to what Hobson can achieve.
Jez Nelson has been a key figure for jazz in the UK, having spent years transmitting it through pirate radio stations before joining the newly licensed Jazz FM in 1989. Along the way he’s spoken to some of the greatest and most eccentric characters in jazz and performance, including Herbie Hancock, Nina Simone and Sun Ra. For 'Decades' he talks us through the years 1982-1992.
DJ and producer Michael Gray has been spinning tracks from the age of 12. Having learnt and perfected his craft during the rise of house music, Gray has had an illustrious career. His hit ‘The Weekend’ remains beloved by all to this day and we couldn’t wait to have him ‘In The Studio’.
‘I’ve just worked on my own’: the succinct words of Albert Louden, used to sum up his colorful, creative and solo pursuit in the art world. Here he shares his thoughts with whynow as part of our ‘Outsider Art’ series.
Award-winning Times photographer Jack Hill has captured the conflict and suffering of war for years. In 2014, along with foreign correspondent Anthony Lloyd, Hill was double-crossed, captured and beaten by a rebel gang in northern Syria. Covering 2006-2016 for our ‘Decades’ series, Hill talks through the hardship and beauty in his work.
Tracey Emin needs no introduction. After leaving school with no qualifications at thirteen, Emin went on to become one of the leading figures of Britart. Here she discusses her growth through the 80s and her adoration for art.
Paul Burke’s natural wit has made him a hit in the world of advertising, in which he’s worked with Rowan Atkinson, Jack Dee, Joanna Lumley and more. Burke’s particular love for radio commercials has made him a specialist in voice acting.
Arguably the greatest living portrait photographer, David Bailey shot to glittering notoriety in the 60s, snapping the likes of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Mick Jagger, Andy Warhol and Michael Caine. Our Jake sat down with David in his studio and we filmed it, which begs the question: why haven’t you clicked ‘play’ yet?
Matt Clifford, a session musician and long-time collaborator of The Rolling Stones, delves into his career and discusses the technological changes he’s encountered throughout it. His work includes a revamping of that glorious Champions League anthem.
Vivienne Roberts, curator at The College of Psychic Studies in South Kensington, began her journey into the spirit art through her interest in the visionary Madge Gill. Here Roberts discuss Gill’s cryptic work as well as other pieces in The College’s archive.
Alex May Hughes is a sign painter hooked on glass leaf, which she uses for her bright and bold designs. For our ‘Up Next’ series she talks us through her technique, the importance of signs and her love for The Simpsons.
Savant and former Cold War spy George Widener has turned his fascination with calendars into an artistic pursuit. He is now an internationally-renowned artist and speaks to whynow about his craft, calculating chaos and predicting the future for our ‘Outsider Art’ series.
In episode 2 of Make Me a Model, we sit down with portrait photographer Rosie Matheson to talk winging shoots with Rejjie Snow, medium format photography and her ongoing photo series ‘Boys’.
Ivor Braka has established himself as a leading London based art dealer specialising in major works from the likes of Picasso, Francis Bacon and Paula Rego.
Cass Hirst has carved himself an artistic niche, revamping Air Force 1s for A$AP Rocky, Virgil Abloh, Playboi Carti, and more. Watch him discuss his journey, motivations and how he used his brain scan as a stencil for his work.
