What does a Chief Curator do, and what goes on behind the scenes at an art gallery?

Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi are joined by Imogen Gibbon of National Galleries of Scotland to discuss making art work for everyone, whether it's on display or not; with detours via Scottish fisheries, silver bands, curling and the dangers of dressing neatly.

We often talk of the historic interest in buildings, but what does that mean to the historian? How does art help understand our past? Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi from BHL Art Group talk to Dr Elizabeth Norton, a historian specialising in the Queens of England and the Tudor period, and the author of a number of highly readable books, including ‘The Lives of Tudor Women’ and ‘The Temptation of Elizabeth Tudor’. We discuss walking the ground, Jane Seymour’s necklaces, what television dramas and films get right, and why archaeological consultants should be punching the air in delight.

It’s good to talk. Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi chat with barrister and mediator Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho of 39 Essex Chambers about how mediation works, and its role in commercial and institutional art disputes. From private disputes to the repatriation of human remains, they look at the role of a third person to facilitate the resolution of disputes. Kelly is the chair of the Civil Mediation Council. The CMC promotes mediation, and holds a register of mediators. It is the recognised authority in England and Wales for all matters related to civil, commercial, workplace and other non-family mediation.

How is the viability of a heritage project considered? When do the numbers stack up?

Richard and Clarissa talk to David Tomback OBE FRICS, the Development Economics Director of Historic England about optimum viable use, enabling development and climate change. As well as Modern Movement houses, restaurants and wedding venues …

Gripped by the nation's annual tennis fever, Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi turn to heritage tennis with Robert Dolman. Robert explains Real Tennis from the recreation of monks to the sport of Kings, and describes the important cultural and built heritage left to us by this historic game. The podcast team plays to the gallery.

The restoration of the Great Hall and Hogarth Staircase at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City of London is one of the most exciting conservation projects presently underway. Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi talk to Will Palin, Chief Executive Officer of Barts Heritage, about the project, the health benefits of heritage and a mediation which resolved a planning judicial review.

More information about the project, tours of the works and the new book, St Bartholomew’s Hospital 900 Years, are available from Barts Heritage

Barts Heritage: https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/zvW7CMQ8ycxBjn4IwPF29?domain=bartsheritage.org.uk/

How do we value a work of art? What makes one object sell for millions when a similar object doesn't sell at all? And is that really what those objects are worth? Richard and Clarissa chat with art expert Frances Christie about the alchemy of art valuation and the merits of applying duct tape to a banana.

When is an artwork part of a building or land? Or can you just take the statue with you when you sell up? Dr David Sawtell, barrister at 39 Essex Chambers, talks to Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi from BHL Art Group about Henry Moore sculpture in London’s East End, statues of Greek athletes, tapestries and heirs behaving badly.

David is the co-author with Richard Harwood and Catherine Dobson of ‘Contested Heritage’ and of books on the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and the Technology and Construction Court.

Funfairs, rollercoasters and ’99 ice creams. Richard and Clarissa talk to leading planning consultant Nick Laister of Laister Planning, about the ups and downs of seaside amusement parks, including the rescue of Margate’s Dreamland. They also chat about Nick’s own visitor attraction, the very special Fairytale Farm.

How do lawyers relax? Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi chat to Stephen Tromans KC, one of the country’s leading environmental lawyers, about his painting and his works exhibited at 39 Essex Chambers.

The catalogues for two of the collections discussed in the interview can be viewed here: Elemental and Golgotha

Elemental: https://www.39essex.com/events/private-viewing-elemental-exhibition-environmentally-themed-paintings-stephen-tromans-kc

Golgotha: https://www.39essex.com/events/private-viewing-golgotha-2022-exhibition-stephen-tromans-kc-invasion-ukraine

Stephen’s paintings and sketches are also available on his Instagram @stephentromansart