In this episode Ben uncovers the curious history behind a defining work of 20th-century Surrealism, Salvador Dali’s Lobster Telephone, part of the collection of National Galleries Scotland. Ben hears from curator Patrick Elliott, who reveals more about the genesis of the work and the man who commissioned it, Edward James; academic Dr Sarah Jackson, whose ‘Crossed Lines’ project examines the representation of the phone in modern literature; and finally, Jamie Ruers of the Freud Museum in London, who reveals more about the connection between Dali and Freud’s theories of the unconscious mind.

You can see an image of Lobster Telephone at https://www.artfund.org/artandstuff

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In this episode Ben uncovers the story behind Tam Joseph’s powerful and provocative painting, Spirit of the Carnival, which offers a commentary on the ever-increasing police presence at London’s annual Notting Hill Carnival during the 70s and 80s. Ben hears from guests including Carol Thompson, curator at Wolverhampton Art Gallery; musician and chairman of the Association of Calypsonians UK, Vincent John; filmmaker and journalist Wyn Baptiste, whose father was the director of the carnival in the mid-70s; and Tam Joseph himself, who sheds light on the creation of the work.

To see an image of Spirit of the Carnival please visit https://www.artfund.org/whats-on/art-and-stuff

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In this episode Ben discovers more about one of the most recognisable puppets ever to grace the screen: Aloysius Parker from Thunderbirds. Crafted by master puppeteer John Blundall, this version of Parker was never used in the show itself but was made in 2002 from his original design, and is part of the collection at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Ben hears from guests including Jo-Ann Curtis, curator of history at the museum; filmmaker and writer Stephen La Rivière; broadcaster and Thunderbirds fan Samira Ahmed; puppeteer Ronnie Le Drew, perhaps best known for his performance as ‘Zippy’ in the long-running children’s TV show Rainbow; and David Graham, the man who voiced the original Parker in Gerry Anderson’s landmark series.

You can see an image of Parker by visiting https://www.artfund.org/whats-on/art-and-stuff

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In this episode, Ben explores the story of one of the most significant discoveries of rare Viking-age objects ever found in Britain. The Galloway Hoard lay undisturbed for a thousand years before being unearthed by a metal detectorist in 2014. Ben learns more about this exceptional find from experts Martin Goldberg and Clare Downham, hears about the unique landscape in which the hoard was discovered from broadcaster and Galloway native Kirsty Wark, and gets an insight into the skilled craftsmanship involved in making many of the intricate metalwork pieces in the collection from Scottish jewellery designer Kathryn King.

The Galloway Hoard is part of the collection at National Museums Scotland and was acquired with the support of Art Fund. You can see an image at https://www.artfund.org/artandstuff

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In this episode Ben Miller uncovers an incredible collection of more than 170 watercolour illustrations of exotic birds, kept at the Natural History Museum in London. Painted by the nature artist Sarah Stone in the late 18th century, these rich studies gave the public a first look at many unknown bird species from around the world. Ben hears more about the album’s origins from curator Paul Martyn Cooper, while bird expert David Lindo and nature writer Stephen Moss discuss the symbolic importance of birds to our culture. Finally, artist Kate MccGwire gives an insight into Stone’s likely working methods and also explains how birds have come to be a central part of her own artistic practice.

You can see one of the album's exquisite illustrations by visiting https://www.artfund.org/artandstuff

Further reading:

Sarah Stone: Natural Curiosities from the New Worlds by Christine E. Jackson (Merrell Publishers)

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Ben Miller explores the fascinating history behind the miniature painting ‘The Spanish Armada off the Coast of England’, part of the collection at the Ulster Museum in Belfast. Painted by an unknown artist, this vivid depiction of the defeat of the Spaniards by the British navy in 1588 is an extremely rare example of such a picture from the decades immediately following the event. Ben gets the lowdown from curators Anne Stewart and Winifred Glover, hears what a critical moment this was for Elizabeth I from author Philip Collins, and gets the Spanish perspective from journalist Eva Millan.

You can see an image of the painting at https://www.artfund.org/artandstuff

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Join Ben Miller as he explores the colourful history of the Wynnstay Organ, part of the collection at National Museum Wales in Cardiff. Made in the 18th century and designed by Robert Adam, the organ was commissioned by Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, ‘the Welsh Maecenas’. Amongst others, Ben gets to hear from broadcaster Reverend Richard Coles, Welsh language musician Gwyneth Glyn, and Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson, whose 2018 performance piece ‘The Sky in a Room’ featured the organ prominently.

You can see an image of the Wynnstay Organ at https://www.artfund.org/artandstuff

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In episode two Ben Miller uncovers the story behind a unique collage from the Islington Museum in London. 'World of Cats' by Kenneth Halliwell was made in the mid-Sixties while Halliwell was living with his partner, the renowned playwright Joe Orton. Arrange up on a folding screen, it’s a great example of the many subversive collages the pair created around this time, but its playful humour cannot but be seen in the context of the horrific end to their relationship.

You can see the World of Cats screen by visiting https://www.artfund.org/artandstuff

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In the first episode presenter Ben Miller learns more about the mysterious rediscovery of a ‘lost’ portrait of Charles Dickens. Painted by Margret Gillies, the portrait has at last found a home in the Charles Dickens Museum in London, but its journey wouldn’t be out of place in one of its subject’s novels. Lucinda Hawksley, Dickens’ great-great-great-granddaughter, sheds more light on her famous relation, plus Ben also gets to hear from writer Monica Ali and Big Issue founder John Bird, who both took inspiration from Dickens’ writing and social reform agenda.

You can see the lost portrait of Charles Dickens by visiting https://www.artfund.org/artandstuff

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