Ministry of Arts Podcast

In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to James Payne (@GreatArtExplained) James Payne is a writer, curator and YouTuber, known for demystifying art via his popular YouTube channel Great Art Explained. His newly released book, Great Art Explained: The Stories Behind the World’s Greatest Masterpieces, brings that same clarity to the printed page. It explores 30 iconic works — from Botticelli’s Birth of Venus to Monet’s Water Lilies and Georgia O’Keeffe’s Jimson Weed — unpacking not only their visual features but also the artists’ lives and social context. Payne’s style is refreshingly jargon-free: he explains what makes each piece “great” through clear storytelling and insight. Stephen Fry has called the book “an instant classic.” For more information on the Great Art Explained: The Stories Behind the World’s Greatest Masterpieces go towww.welbooks.co.uk/shop/p/great-art-explained-the-stories-behind-the-worlds-greatest-masterpieces-by-james-payne-signed  To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts For full line up of confirmed artists go to www.ministryofarts.co.ukEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg 

In this rewind episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Gina Soden (REC: 2019).Gina is a photographic artist that enters once grand and regal buildings to capture images of the last remnants of beauty within those decaying walls.Back in the studio, her creative process produces artworks that are far from dark or macabre.She directs your eye, firstly to a strong focal point, then allows it to absorb the rest of the artwork which has equal measures of beauty, decay and intrigue. 

 In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Dave Buonaguidi (@RealHackneyDave) Dave Buonaguidi (aka Real Hackney Dave) is best known for his bold, witty, and thought-provoking screen prints that blend vintage imagery with striking typography.Drawing from his background in advertising, Buonaguidi combines humour, social commentary, and nostalgia to challenge conventional ideas of art and communication. He often uses found materials, such as old maps or postcards, overlaid with vivid, hand-pulled slogans that create a playful contrast between past and present. His works explore themes of identity, consumerism, and the power of words, making them instantly recognisable and engaging. Dave  has exhibited widely across the UK, earning a reputation for his distinctive style that bridges pop art and street culture with clever, irreverent energy. For more information on the work of Dave Buonaguidi go tohttps://realhackneydave.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.co.ukEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg 

In this REWIND episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Dave Buonaguidi (@RealHackneyDave) - November 2018.Dave Buonaguidi had literally decided to become a screen-printer overnight. He left his job, in advertising on a Friday, went on a one-day screen-printing course at Print Club London on the Saturday and fell in love with the rapid creative process that day.Dave is best known for laying bold text over found maps, manuscripts and documents. When one of the UK’s largest Estate Agents started using adverts very similar the Dave’s recent work, Dave responded with a highly amusing barrage of ‘fake’ ad’s in the guise of those used by the Estate Agents. Whilst now running his own successful advertising agency Dave still finds the time to fulfil commissions and create his own body of work.To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofartsFor full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.co.ukEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg

 In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Stefdies (@StefDies) Stefdies is a performance and conceptual artist known for her striking photographic series in which she stages her own “death” in public and private spaces. Her work explores themes of vulnerability, mortality, and absurdity within everyday life.By placing her lifeless body in unexpected environments, she provokes reflection on social norms, detachment, and the human condition. Stefdies’ minimalist yet provocative approach merges performance, photography, and satire to question modern existence and visibility 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.ukEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg 

In this REWIND episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Mark Wallinger (recorded: November 2018).Mark Wallinger is known for exploring identity, faith, and politics through diverse media. His Labyrinth (2013) project placed unique labyrinth designs across London’s Underground stations, symbolising journeys and introspection. Earlier, his celebrated sculpture Ecce Homo (1999) depicted a life-sized, vulnerable Christ figure on Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth, challenging perceptions of power, humanity, and compassion. Wallinger’s thought-provoking works continue to engage public spaces and question contemporary British identityTo Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofartsFor full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.co.ukEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg

In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Rod Kitson (@RodKitsonArt) Rod Kitson is an artist known for his expressive portraiture and socially engaged art projects. Kitson’s work often explores themes of identity, community, and mental health.His distinctive style combines bold brushwork with a keen sensitivity to his subjects, capturing emotion and character in equal measure. Kitson gained national attention for his live portrait projects, in which he paints members of the public in pop-up studios and public spaces. These sessions not only produce intimate works of art but also encourage dialogue around creativity and well-being. He is particularly recognised for his “100 Heads” initiative, where he painted one hundred people in as many days, showcasing the diversity and stories of his local community. His work has been exhibited across the UK and is often noted for its accessibility and community focus. Kitson continues to blur the lines between artist and facilitator, using portraiture to foster connection and empathy.  For more information on the work of Rod Kitson go tohttps://www.rodkitson.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.co.ukEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg 

In this REWIND episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Mat Collishaw (recorded: Nov 2018). Mat Collishaw was a key figure in Damien Hirst's legendary Freeze exhibition, as well as Charles Saatchi's controversial [at the time] Sensations exhibition at the Royal Academy. Mat has used the latest VR technology to recreate William Henry Fox Talbot's 1839 photography exhibition, even including the Chartist's prodest.  In his 2018 work, Mask of Youth, Mat collaborated with cutting-edge special effect designers to create a 'truer' interpretation of what Queen Elizabeth I may have looked like around the time her Armada Portrait was painted (the two works sit opposite each-other at The Queens House, Greenwich, London).  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.ukEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg

In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Kevin Devonport (@KevinDevonportFineArt) Kevin Devonport is a self-taught British artist whose journey from prison to international recognition highlights the life-changing power of art. Raised in Leeds, he left school without qualifications and served several prison terms for drug-related offences.  During a 13-year sentence, he discovered painting through a class run by Care After Combat, a charity supporting ex-service personnel, sparking a profound shift in his life. While imprisoned, Devonport earned a First-Class Honours BSc in Sociology from the Open University, shaping his artistic themes of identity, consumerism, and social structure. His still-life works use everyday objects to tell personal and social stories. Based at Assembly House Studios in Leeds, Kevin exhibits widely and mentors others, particularly ex-offenders and veterans, promoting art as a tool for rehabilitation. For more information on the work of Kevin Devonport go tohttps:// KevinDevonport.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.co.ukEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg