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.
Dirty Dike is a rapper and a producer. He’s also a sound bloke, with six albums to his name. Speaking with our whynow ‘In The Studio’ session, he dissects the playful thrills and lyrical spills of his work, which is now a far-cry away from his time in prison.Â
Ray Burmiston has photographed the biggest and the best, from Ricky Gervais to Idris Elba, Kate Moss to Anthony Joshua. And now, for our whynow ‘Make Me a Model’ series, he has the privilege of shooting our very own Jake Denton to kick-off his journey from poser to poster-boy.
Talented young fashion designer Adam Jones is breaking into the industry with his pub-aesthetic styles. Self-described as ‘the British take on wabi-sabi’ for its appreciation of the imperfect, his work has been a hit with the likes of Neneh Cherry.
Soho tailor John Pearse was at the heart of London’s swinging 60s scene, working from the eminent boutique store ‘Granny Takes a Trip’. With his combination of traditional tailoring techniques and psychedelic styles, Pearse has fitted some of the most eminent figures in the art world.
Producer Matt Allchin simply had to create music, and by following his dreams has worked with the likes of Adele, Mark Ronson and Florence Welch. Here he speaks to whynow for an in-depth take on life in the music industry, as part of our In The Studio series.
Bertie Miller & Dave Waters, who together run the ad agency ‘Watermill’, have been plying their trade for years. Miller is the founder of Spectre, which was voted the most successful production company for six years, whilst Waters helped run a top 20 London ad agency for 20 years. Here are our ‘Ad Men’, in their own words.
Richard C Smith is a self-taught Outsider Artist, represented by the Henry Boxer Gallery in London. From the sixties to nineties, Smith led a turbulent life due to drug dependency, spending time in prison and working as a grave digger.
As a 35th generation Shaolin disciple, Shi Heng Jiu is part of a long tradition. But, as he explains from the Shaolin Temple UK, the martial art practice has evolved.
