Extraordinary Creatives

• Bending Reality: The Wild Art and Ambition of Alex Chinneck

  What happens when a building unzips or a canal boat loops the loop mid-air? This week, Ceri is joined by the extraordinary Alex Chinneck, the British artist known for bending reality one brick at a time, dubbed arts master illusionist by The Guardian, Alex has carved out a global reputation for his large-scale public artworks that melt, slide, hover and ripple through the urban landscape. They discuss how a childhood love of painting and a no-nonsense art teacher set him on a path to sculpting the surreal from cross-country running to cross-disciplinary collaboration, Alex shares how stamina, curiosity and sheer force of will underpin his most ambitious illusions. He reveals how a derelict Hackney warehouse became the site of his first major breakthrough, how he persuaded a wax factory to donate 11 tonnes of leg wax, and how he ended up installing a twisted phone box just metres from number 10. This episode is about ambition without arrogance, spectacle with substance and the messy, exhilarating art of pulling it off. KEY TAKEAWAYS Ambition isn’t about ego or spectacle; it’s about the courage to bring big ideas to life, to invite others in, and to create work that resonates far beyond the art world. Bold ideas come to life through grit, creative problem-solving, relentless negotiation, and the courage to turn resistance into opportunity; real innovation is forged in the face of challenge. When you put your work out into the public, you never know how it will be received. Often, the courage to share your true vision sparks excitement far beyond your expectations. BEST MOMENTS “You don't have to wait for permission to make ambitious work. Start with the idea, then learn how to pull it off. One door, one brick, one yes at a time.” “Sometimes the most radical thing an artist can do is make people smile.” “Public art isn't just about scale, it’s about context, community and commitment.” “Coaching clears out the noise so that people have better thoughts in which to help them do better work, while building up their tools of resilience.” EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.alexchinneck.com PODCAST HOST BIO With over 35 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals. **** Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! https://cerihand.com/membership **** Unlock Your Artworld Network Self Study Course Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today. https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/ **** Book a Discovery Call Today To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected] **** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

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• What to Do When You´re Afraid to Make the Work You´re Supposed to Be Making

  Have you been circling something in your practice for years? Maybe you know there’s more to say, a seam you haven’t mined, a truth you keep sidestepping. The work is there, waiting. But you’re afraid. Today, Ceri talks about the fear of making the work you’re supposed to be making—and what it takes to finally face it, explaining, how to name it, drag it into the daylight, re-address it, and then turn it into creative fuel. From Ceri´s experience of working with 1000s of artists over 35 years, every great work, whether tightly conceptual, minimal or wildly expressive, begins with an artist willing to face themselves. The question isn't only what you make, but whether you're able to be with yourself long enough sitting in the uncomfortable valley of knowing and not knowing to let the work be born. KEY TAKEAWAYS Fear is the border guard of your best work. But fear is also data, and for the artists who dare to name it, fear often points directly to where the gold is buried. Sidestepping your fears is counter-productive. The very strategies you use to survive are the ones that eventually hold you back. Real creative freedom comes thru facing your fears head on by using honest self-reflection, safe support and creative rituals to process difficult experiences through your art. Ceri shares several practical examples of how she has helped artists work with their fears to create stunning work. BEST MOMENTS “What if the work you’re meant to be making is the work you’re most afraid of?” “By first drawing, then making with bits of shite left around the studio, as if he were responding directly to that moment, he shifted the power dynamic. The work gained a bite.” “Sit with your journal, sketchbook, or a voice memo and finish this sentence three times: “When I think of fear, I remember…” Don’t censor. Let it pour out. ” PODCAST HOST BIO With over 35 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals. **** Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! https://cerihand.com/membership **** Unlock Your Artworld Network Self Study Course Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today. https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/ **** Book a Discovery Call Today To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected] **** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

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• Step into Collaborations with Clarity, Openness and Curiosity - Francesca Du Brock

  What happens when an artist, educator, curator, returns to the wilds that raised her and dares to reimagine what a museum could be? Francesca de Brock is the extraordinary chief curator at the Anchorage Museum in Alaska. Her work braids together social practice, environmental justice, a fierce commitment to care, and a deep understanding of what artists need to thrive. KEY TAKEAWAYS Growing up in Alaska, the wildness of the place and problem-solving in a challenging environment shaped Francesca´s creativity and approach to art. Francesca is committed to climate-conscious exhibitions, artist access, onboarding, and amplifying community voices. Leadership is about asking better questions and inviting others into the process, rather than having all the answers. BEST MOMENTS “Our mission is to be a museum of people, place, planet and potential in service of a sustainable and equitable north, with creativity and imagination for what is possible.” “Exhibitions are ephemeral, but the ripple effects on institutions, audiences and relationships can be lasting and transformative.” Francesca Du Brock www.anchoragemuseum.org https://www.instagram.com/fdubrock Francesca Du Brock is Chief Curator at the Anchorage Museum. Her work is informed by her background as an artist and educator and is grounded in social engagement, place-based storytelling, environmental justice, and experimental museum practice. Recent projects including Dog Show (2025), How to Survive (2023), Black Lives in Alaska: Journey, Justice, Joy (2021), and Extra Tough: Women of the North (2020), which focus on topics of care, climate, interdependence, representation, Northern feminisms, and immigration. In 2020, she established the Museum’s Virtual Artist Residency program, which continues to provide unrestricted support to artists, sharing process and behind-the-scenes insights into their lives and practices. She is currently a fellow at the Center for Curatorial Leadership and is the recipient of the 2025 Marica Vilcek Prize in Art History from the Vilcek Foundation. Born and raised on Dena'ina Ełnena in Anchorage, Alaska, she holds an MFA and M.Ed and brings experience living and working across the US and Latin America to her current role. PODCAST HOST BIO With over 35 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals. **** Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! https://cerihand.com/membership **** Unlock Your Artworld Network Self Study Course Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today. https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network **** Book a Discovery Call Today To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected] **** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media https://disruptivemedia.co.uk

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• Dealing With Rejection

  Today, Ceri talks about rejection. Something that is a part of every artist’s life - Applications declined. Emails ignored. Opportunities missed. And let’s be honest—it stings. For many artists, especially those who are neurodivergent, it doesn’t just sting. It burns. There’s even a name for this: Rejection Sensitivity. It’s more than hurt feelings—it can feel like an existential threat, a collapse, a shame spiral. Maybe you’ve avoided applying. Withdrawn from people. Overreacted to feedback. If so, you’re not alone. But here’s the good news: you’re not broken. This is a common pattern, and you can learn ways to soften its impact. In this episode, Ceri walks you through some steps and reflections to help you notice rejection, reframe it, and keep creating. KEY TAKEAWAYS • Unchecked rejection sensitivity quietly shapes careers. It can hold you back from applying, make you quit too soon and keep you isolated. Or you may overcompensate, work twice as hard, say yes to everything and people-please your way into exhaustion. • Ceri shares 10 steps for dealing with rejection in a healthy way, so you can recognise, reflect on, reframe and learn from rejection and carry on creating. • If you have a rejection that you are still hanging onto, reframe it today. Release yourself from the negativity that surrounds rejection. You don´t have to let it continue to hold you back. You can choose to release yourself. BEST MOMENTS “Rejection is not proof you don’t belong. It’s proof you’re showing up.” “Rejection isn’t the enemy. Silence isn’t the enemy. Avoidance is. Not showing up is. And you—you’re already showing up. That’s where the magic begins.” “Step one is to recognise the pattern. First you have to notice it. Rejection shows up in emotions, the stories we tell ourselves and in the body - a tight chest, a racing heart, a stomach drop.” EPISODE RESOURCES If you prefer reading over listening? Ceri shares a short version of every episode in her Beat the Block newsletter—delivered to your inbox every Friday. Sign up at www.cerihand.com/subscribe PODCAST HOST BIO With over 35 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals. **** Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! https://cerihand.com/membership **** Unlock Your Artworld Network Self Study Course Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today. https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/ **** Book a Discovery Call Today To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected] **** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

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• The Next Art History is Being Written - Georg Bak is One of its Scribes

  Today, Ceri is joined by a man who doesn’t just witness the future of art, he builds the infrastructure for it. Georg Bak is a pioneering digital art advisor and curator who’s spent over two decades bridging the traditional and the digital. He has advised major collectors and museums, helped shape curatorial boards, and placed historically significant works into collections that matter. Georg is the co-founder of NFT Art Day and The Digital Art Mile, a boutique digital art fair that champions new ideas and new communities. He has curated landmark exhibitions, including the first-ever CryptoPunks show, and collaborated with Sotheby’s, Phillips, and The Vancouver Biennale. Whether you’re AI-averse or blockchain-curious, this episode’s for the thinkers and deeply curious. KEY TAKEAWAYS Digital art does not replace traditional art; it is a powerful expansion of it that builds on the existing foundations. When collectors recognise that true innovation comes from artists who challenge perceptions and provoke thought instead of simply following trends, the art world thrives. Success in digital art is deeply connected to building and engaging with communities and network effects. Building lasting trust and relationships, educating and going deeper on fewer pieces of work is leading to success. AI is opening up possibilities that are comparable in impact to the Renaissance. AI-driven tools are not only expanding artistic expression but also challenging traditional boundaries, making this a pivotal era for both artists and collectors. BEST MOMENTS “I think what makes maybe the difference is that the success of an artist is based on this community… The bigger the network behind an artist the more successful they are going to be.” “I would inspire everyone to open their eyes and be curious, instead of being against everything that's new.” “The most interesting artworks, they're not easy to understand in the beginning.” “Art isn’t static, it’s a system, a signal, a story still unfolding.” EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgbak PODCAST HOST BIO With over 35 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals. **** Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! https://cerihand.com/membership **** Unlock Your Artworld Network Self Study Course Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today. https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/ **** Book a Discovery Call Today To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected] **** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

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