Ministry of Arts Podcast

In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Jeremy Deller (@jeremydeller) Jeremy Deller is a British conceptual artist renowned for his innovative and socially engaged practice. His work often explores history, politics, memory, and collective identity, blending art with performance, video, and community involvement.Deller’s approach is notable for its inclusivity—he often collaborates with non-professional participants to produce work that challenges traditional notions of art and authorship. One of his most significant works is The Battle of Orgreave (2001), a reenactment of the violent 1984 miners' strike confrontation between police and striking miners. The project addressed themes of working-class struggle, historical memory, and the spectacle of violence, raising questions about how history is remembered and represented. This immersive approach to historical events would become a hallmark of Deller’s practice. Other notable works include English Magic (2013), a politically charged series that critiques British national identity, capitalism, and inequality. Deller’s work often critiques social and political structures while encouraging dialogue and participation. In 2004, he won the Turner Prize for his ability to redefine art's relationship to both the public and its cultural contexts. Deller’s work continues to reflect his belief that art should engage with and speak to the world around it, often offering new ways of understanding the past, present, and future. For more information on the work of Jeremy Deller go tohttps://www.jeremydeller.org  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.orgEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg 

 In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to John Costi (@bapou_costi) This is John Costi’s second appearance on the Ministry of Arts Podcast, the first being ep.48. He is known for his conceptual and often collaborative work, which explores themes of culture, identity, and history. In 2012, Costi had a notable experience traveling to Venice with artist Jeremy Deller. The trip was part of a project facilitated by the Koestler Trust, an organization that supports creative work by prisoners, ex-offenders, and young people at risk. Deller, a renowned artist known for his interest in social contexts, invited Costi to join him in Venice during the Venice Biennale, where they explored the intersections of art, prison reform, and personal narrative. This journey allowed Costi to engage in a broader dialogue about the transformative potential of art, especially for marginalized communities. The Venice trip exemplified Costi’s approach to art-making—collaborative, reflective, and deeply attuned to the social and political dimensions of creative expression. John and Jeremy have co-curated Koestler Arts’ annual exhibition at Southbanks, Royal festival Hall, ‘No Comment’ runs until 15th December. For more information on No Comment at the Royal Festival Hall go to https://koestlerarts.org.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.orgEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg 

In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Ange Bell (@angebellart) “My work focuses on the themes of origins and belonging and it is this concern that has formed the basis of my practice. Whether collecting and working from found photographs or, as in recent months, working from selfies taken by Instagram users.” “Through the act of painting I reclaim and invigorates with added permanence and significance, a moment lost in the instant it occurred. Within the portraits there is an echo of that which is lost and sought, it speaks at times to our sense of nostalgia, and at others to our desire to be seen, recognised and valued. The act of retrieving and reviving is at the core of my practice, from the sourcing of material to the process of painting itself.” “Creating detailed studies in oil, and through a process of working back in to the surface and exploring mark making techniques, I distort, eliminate and manipulate the image to create a visual language. I aim to create a portrait that not only captures a likeness but also has a vibrancy and depth to it as well as the desire to create a painting with which the viewer can establish a point of communication.”  For more information on the work of Ange Bell go tohttps://www.angebellart.com  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.orgEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg 

In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Genevieve Leavold (@genevieveleavold)  “I am a self-taught painter from Somerset UK. I originally trained in Theatre Design specialising in Scenic Painting and prop making. My love for creating immersive spaces informed my approach to painting as I hope to take the viewer into another world, a place of energetic exchange and flow. “​ “I use abstraction to explore concepts of self, and our relationship to the natural world. Taking a meditative approach to my process the paintings are created by layering transparent glazes and opaque marks. There is a vital element of movement in this process: it's physical: using large brushes to lay out the composition of the work and moving with the brushstrokes.” “I have always loved dance and this deeply informs my practice, I want to take you somewhere in these abstract forms, to a memory or a feeling that sits just out of sight. “ “My paintings are driven by and express a need for harmony, in the movement and the palette I use. There's rhythm in nature and I feel that my unplanned gestures and brushstokes chime with this rhythmic flow. “ For more information on the work of Genevieve Leavold go to https://www.genevieveleavold.com/  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.orgEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg 

In this bonus episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Constance Anne (@ConstanceAnne.ca) who is showing in the New Art Fair 2024, at the Truman Brewery, London, from 27-29 September 2024Constance Anne is an artist based in London UK, her artwork celebrates people and personalties.Her artwork is inspired by people and connection. By the odd mixes of personality, diversity, and life experiences that make us who we are. Her abstract portraits have a focus on the face in a way that plays on facial proportion, features and the body. She shows how things that are perhaps ‘odd’ or ‘weird’ can also be beautifully interesting. Her paintings explore personality and style through the look each can hold. She loves colour, her expressive and vibrant portrait paintings and artworks are a beautiful statement for interiors.​The Signatures Collection brings abstract minimalist features, with focus on elongation and a particular positioning of the face. Each face has a completely different personality and all are looking to the viewer's right, looking forward, looking on. The Classics Collection shows the face as an anchor point, that looks back at you and draws you into thinking about where this character may be going or what they may be doing in the surroundings they are painted in. Each personality has a personal theme explored by their surroundings, clothes or background. The Scenes Collection show the person and theme explored by a scene or location they exist in.The Scenes Collection show the person and theme explored by a scene they are captured in.Constance grew up in Liverpool Merseyside in the UK (home to The Beatles) where she takes great inspiration. She is half Welsh and day to day she goes by the name Connie.Constance is currently based in London and is exhibiting throughout the Uk.From 27-29 September, Constance will be showing their work at the New Artist Fair at in the Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London, E1 – For more details go to https://www.newartistfair.com/ 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.orgEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg

In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to The Artist Kitty (@kitty_arttist71) who is showing in the New Art Fair 2024, at the Truman Brewery, London, from 27-29 September.I have known The Artist Kitty for over 25 years, all that time and more she has battled severe mental health, namely Paranoid Schizophrenia; sometimes ahead of the battle, others not so. She was previously very creative, working for a screen printers’, and drawing & painting. I had tried to encourage her to revisit it many times, but confidence and change of route had become a challenge.Then at the start of lock-down, out of the blue, she ordered several canvases, brushes and an array of paints and started painting. Within no time, she developed her own style; that just ooze happiness & positivity.She now says that painting is as beneficial as any medication; the BIRDS represent this new-found freedom, FLOWERS her growth and the CAGE that occasionally appears, is her condition... That seems to show itself a lot less nowadays.I have tried so many times to get Kitty on the pod, but her lack of confidence has always got the upper hand... Until today! Kitty has never shown her work outside of Instagram, where she has developed a much appreciated following; from 27-29 September, I will be showing/selling her work at the New Artist Fair at in the Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London, E1 – For more details go to https://www.newartistfair.com/ 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.orgEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg

In this bonus episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Beth Evans (@B.evansdesigns) who is showing in the New Art Fair 2024, at the Truman Brewery, London, from 27-29 September 2024B Evans Designs, established in March 2019, meant that I could combine two of my greatest passions in my life; my love for painting & animals.For as long as I can remember, creating art has always been something that has bought me joy. From my parents letting me cover our dining room table in pen, to completing my A-Level in art, it has always stuck with me. B Evans Designs allows me to have my creative freedom and capturing the amazing animals we are lucky enough to live along side of.  For more information on the work of Beth Evans go to bevansdesigns.comFrom 27-29 September, Beth Evans will be showing their work at the New Artist Fair at in the Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London, E1 – For more details go to https://www.newartistfair.com/ 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.orgEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg

In this bonus episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Vitor Lopes (@vitorlopes.art), who is showing in the New Art Fair 2024, at the Truman Brewery, London, from 27-29 September 2024For years I have explored different avenues of creative expression, fully immersing myself in the works of artists and the extensive realm of art history. My expertise primarily stems from self-teaching, supplemented by short courses in drawing, sculpture, mould making, casting, 3D modeling, and product design. However, it was only three years ago that I made the conscious decision to fully embrace the world of fine art photography, from concept, photography, printing and framing. Mystyle reflects limitless creativity and a distinct artistic flair, involving the human body and powerfull messages of hope, love and reflection. For more information on the work of Vitor Lopes go to https://vitorlopes.art From 27-29 September, Vitor Lopes will be showing their work at the New Artist Fair at in the Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London, E1 – For more details go to https://www.newartistfair.com/ 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.orgEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg