This week, Ceri is delighted to introduce you to the extraordinary Ben Luke, who has spent three decades at the heart of the art world, his voice shaping how we hear from artists—now it’s his turn to share what shaped him. A writer, broadcaster and host of A Brush With… and The Week in Art, his new book What is Art For?, published by HENI, gathers 25 conversations with established international artists including Michael Armitage, Phyllida Barlow, Jeremy Deller, Ellen Gallagher, Theaster Gates, Julie Mehretu and Doris Salcedo.
You’ll hear about his early life in suburban Kent, how drama classes shaped his voice, why Warhol and Dalí obsessed him as a teenager, the critics and pop stars who influenced his style, and the moments that pushed him to stop painting and start writing.
Most of all, they unpack what drives and motivates him after 30 years in the art world—and why he believes artists hold the keys to how we see and live.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Encounters with Warhol, Dalí, Bowie and Eno, changed Ben´s outlook and sparked his imagination. They inspired him to embrace creativity and explore new ideas.
Ben’s parents nurtured his creative ambitions and never curtailed his dreams, while his father’s strong political values instilled in him a sense of curiosity, openness, and commitment that shaped his path as a writer and critic.
Criticism doesn't have to come from cynicism. It can come from love. Interviews can be collaborations rather than interrogations.
The true measure of art is whether it helps us see differently, feel differently. So keep following the references and going down the rabbit holes, because art, as Ben suggests, isn't just for looking, it's for living.
BEST MOMENTS
“I remember everybody I ever liked being described as pretentious, so I saw people being called pretentious as being a badge of honour.”
“Fund culture. It makes us better. It makes us more human. It makes us more alive. It makes us understand each other better.”
“The responsibility of the critic is to engage as deeply as possible with the work before writing about it.”
GUEST RESOURCES
Ben´s Book - published by HENI - https://heni.com/shop/books/what-is-art-for
https://www.theartnewspaper.com
https://podcasts.apple.com/gt/podcast/a-brush-with/id1525997434
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-week-in-art/id1280469178
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.
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Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity
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This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media https://disruptivemedia.co.uk
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