Stories of art from world leading experts

Tucked away in the unassuming residential neighbourhood of Harlow, UK, stands a monumental sculpture by an enormous name in British art.

Esteemed art critic and author Jonathan Jones sits down with Joe Hage to discuss his 2023 publication, Earthly Delights: A History of the Renaissance.

Discover the Captain Scott statue, one of London's most unique public monuments.

Awaiting snow to achieve its complete form, Ryan Gander’s dolos-shaped sculpture invites viewers to reflect on the effect of human actions in the present on the planet’s future.

Championed by a range of experts, this latest series provides unique insights into public art.

Hans Ulrich Obrist, the Artistic Director of the Serpentine Galleries in London, speaks with Joe Hage, about his endeavour to revive the art of handwriting from within an ever-advancing digital age.

Renowned art critic and writer, Martin Gayford, exclusively talk about the history of Venice through its most important creation: pictures.

Embark on a journey through the turbulent world of NFTs: from the captivating story of Damien Hirst's The Currency to the unique perspectives of digital art pioneers.

One of the most important masterpieces of modern British architecture itself, Coventry Cathedral is also a repository for major works of modern British art. 

Two of Britain’s most prominent contemporary artists, discuss Clarke’s 2023 exhibition: A Great Light.

What are these things if they no longer have the function that we associate with them?

World-renowned curator Hans Ulrich Obrist talks with British artist Brian Clarke.

Architect Lina Ghotmeh discusses, shares, and reveals the inspiration, the structure, and design of the 22nd Serpentine Pavilion.

Damien Hirst’s ‘Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable’ reveals the fascinating story of the discovery and excavation of an ancient shipwreck.

Charles Jencks’ Cosmic House is the architectural historian’s “built manifesto of Postmodernism”.

Architect Frank Gehry narrates this exploration of his work of the 1990s, illustrating the interconnected nature of art and architecture.

A history and personal reflection of the stained glass Great East Window of York Minster.

Curator Carol Jacobi shines a light on the career of artist Isabel Rawsthorne (1912 – 1992), “a missing link of 20th century art”.

British Museum Director Hartwig Fischer reflects on the story and inspiration behind Sir Richard Westmacott’s pediment sculptures.

Why did Surrealism appeal to artists across the world?

Is specialist knowledge needed to enjoy and understand art?

‘The drawings are traces of a life, creating territories in relation to limits and potentials. Communications transmitted to whoever will regard them.’ ⁠— Prof. Michael Newman

An intimate 65-minute portrait of the artist Liz Finch by filmmaker Nichola Bruce.

Cassius Ashcroft and Femi Themen — alumni of the articulation Prize — explore Richard Long’s site-specific sculpture ‘Tame Buzzard Line’.

Qabir Alli and Marianne Whiting — alumni of the Articulation Prize — discuss Barbara Hepworth’s ‘Family of Man’.

Articulation Alumni Lucy Miller and Oliver Garland reflect on 'Fructus' by Peter Randall-Page, exploring how the sculpture complements, juxtaposes and transforms the natural landscape in which it is placed.

‘He created a sign that went beyond the border of the art world, beyond the border of the art fair, and invaded the collective imagination of the world.’ — Francesco Bonami on Maurizio Cattelan’s ‘Comedian’.

Mark Stevens and Annalyn Swan chart the life and art of Francis Bacon. The conversation is expanded by Robert Storr.

‘It doesn't describe, it evokes…’ — Prof. Sussan Babaie

‘When art is condemned, fascism prevails.’ — Dr Brad Evans

An online conversation between the foremost practitioner of stained glass, architectural artist Brian Clarke and esteemed architect Sir Norman Foster, chaired by Robert Storr.

Discover the origins and evolution of Bridget Riley’s spectacular practice.

Hans Ulrich Obrist traces how Zaha Hadid’s futuristic architecture evolved from ‘superfluid’ sketches.

A portrait of pioneering architectural artist Brian Clarke.

‘He disturbed my sense of what art should be.’ — Robert Storr on Gerhard Richter

Jacky Klein discusses how a recluse from the French countryside became the first Modern painter.

‘To think about Brutalism, is to think about concrete…’ Prof. Richard J. Williams.

Discover the radical politics of interior design in the Arts & Crafts movement.

How did the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat anticipate our experience of the digital?

A spirited conversation between two friends, curator Hans Ulrich Obrist and artist Etel Adnan.

Marvel at the most spectacular surviving work by 17th century virtuoso craftsman Grinling Gibbons.

Shantell Martin shares her admiration for Hishikawa Moronobu’s inspiring use of line.

Writer Robert Storr examines Gerhard Richter’s ‘dissenting’ painting ‘Ema (Nude on a Staircase)’.

A sensuous vision of kelly green and hot pink, take a closer look at Lee Krasner's Palingenesis (1971).

Ben Tufnell maps out a definition of Land Art.

Discover the life force behind Albert Irvin’s vibrant paintings.

National Trust curator David Taylor remarks on a ‘portrait’ of a prosperous country estate near Manchester.

Can you stomach Paul McCarthy’s art? Critic Robert Storr makes the case that McCarthy is the ‘critical grotesque’ heir of much canonical satire, drawing comparisons to François Rabelais and James Gillray’s provocations.

Curator Vincent Honoré reflects on David Wojnarowicz's final film, produced at ‘the climax of the aids crisis’.

Craig Clunas confronts the mysteries of this 16th century Chinese hanging scroll.

In the form of an alphabet of ideas, a lively and at times profound dialogue between curator Hans Ulrich Obrist and artist Etel Adnan.

Paul Greenhalgh celebrates the richness of one of the world’s most fundamental arts.

Barbican Curator Eleanor Nairne traces the rhythms of Lee Krasner’s ‘jewel-like’ painting.

What does an Abstract Expressionist painting look like? Eleanor Nairne unpacks some of the aspects of this divergent movement.

Carol Jacobi introduces the work of a nineteenth-century rebel art movement.

Articulation prize winner Zach Taylor reveals the power of light and dark in Rembrandt’s self-portraits.

An exploration of the processes of leading artist Gerhard Richter as presented through his glass sculptures and paintings.

Julian Spalding discusses the impact of religious belief and spiritual doubt on paintings across time.

Martin Gayford presents some of the mysteries behind one of art history’s most recognisable paintings: The Arnolfini Portrait.

Discover the ‘psychological drama’ behind William Holman Hunt’s ‘The Awakening Conscience’.

The male gaze, misogyny, porn. Rachel Maclean discusses issues surrounding female identity in the history of art as tackled in her film ‘Make Me Up’.

Liu Xiaodong discusses how conflict and urban change influenced his radical new painting method.

'To create an entirely new capital, from scratch, in the middle of nowhere, was an extraordinarily ambitious thing to try and do...' Prof. Richard J. Williams.

Gregg Bordowitz explores the work of Glenn Ligon through the lens of his highly charged painting ‘Untitled (I Am A Man)’, 1988.

How can the arts help repair rifts in the community? Penny Woolcock speaks of her art of filmmaking that contributes towards real social change.

A survey into why and how artists have portrayed the melancholic throughout art history, with accompanying lute music.

Discover the symbolism, significance and spirituality of the colours red, white and blue throughout the history of art.

Death, sex, birth, childhood. Uncover how the bed has been represented throughout art history.

Learn about Richter’s ardent commitment to Titian’s canvas — and the impossibility of such a painting for our times — with writer Robert Storr.

Discover the mesmerising mathematical phenomenon of moiré in Conrad Shawcross’s monumental works.

See how ‘Magic Matt’ inspires a group of Hackney schoolchildren with the power of art in this dynamic art history workshop on the theme of 'winter'.

‘What gets remembered and what doesn’t?’ Mark Sealy examines searing moments in Black history through the lens of Omar Victor Diop’s powerful portraits.

Prof. Richard Williams explores the lure of Los Angeles.

From the personal to the political, every picture tells her story.

Tristram Hunt traces how Josiah Wedgwood changed the face of the decorative arts in Britain with his ambitious pottery designs.

Art historian Richard Cork examines the psychologically charged self-portraits of this once overlooked artistic master.

Learn how a British photographer attempted to take down cultural stereotypes using her own body as a weapon.

Discover the unexpected tale that lies behind ‘the face of abolition’, as painted by William Hoare.

Robert Storr tells the story of an artist couple born under the Soviet Regime.

Discover the astonishing skull hidden in plain sight in Holbein’s masterpiece, The Ambassadors.

Dawn Adès tells the story of the historic meeting between Salvador Dalí and Sigmund Freud, and unpacks the mind-boggling painting the artist took with him.

Roll up! Roll up! Come and see the strange spectacle that is Seurat’s ‘Circus Sideshow’.

Dr James Fox tells us how artist Norman Wilkinson came up with a dazzling solution to protect Britain’s navy from the enemy in WWI.

Out of the ashes of the Great Fire of 1666, rose a building designed by Sir Christopher Wren which would define the skyline of London.

Rachel Maclean explores the playful ways her video art questions contemporary politics.

Teach your eyes to see the powerful symbols hidden in Celtic designs.

Griselda Pollock unpacks some of the questions raised by Manet’s enigmatic last masterpiece.

How Kazimir Malevich’s painting of a simple Black Square changed the direction of modern art.

Robert Storr explores how this influential artist channelled her psychological pain to create some of the most visceral works of the twentieth century.

What do Elizabeth I and Frida Kahlo have in common? Penny Huntsman unpacks the portraits of the Tudor Queen and Mexican Surrealist.

What is contemporary art? Why is it so hard to define? Ralph Rugoff argues that Marcel Duchamp is to thank - or to blame.

Are you a chromophobe? Artist David Batchelor discusses the fear of colour which lurks within much Western cultural and intellectual thought.

Gus Casely-Hayford explores the ways in which Asafo Flags play a vital role in defining Fante identity and history.

Gus Casely-Hayford reveals the secrets of a West African ivory mask created over 500 years ago, depicting a 'steely and ruthless' queen mother.

Paul Binski describes how the apotheosis of English medieval decoration fell victim to 'hammer happy' religious reformers.

Jules Lubbock solves the puzzle of how to read Giovanni Pisano's Pisa Pulpit.