In this episode, Ben Edge talks about his paintings that document the extraordinary ancient customs and rituals that abound in Britain, how he was inspired by eccentric family members, how a trip to the Tower of London first fired his passion for folklore, some of the interesting characters he has come across, what old folk traditions provide for communities and how they act as a mirror to our history and connect us to our past.

Ben Edge talking with Bob Chaundy

Accompanying images on consideringart.com

The Animal Handler, 2009

Dress for the Party, 2019, portrait of Steve Edge

The Burryman, 2018

The Dorset Ooser, 2022

The Flaming Barrels of Ottery St Mary, 2020

In My Nature (Self-portrait as the Green Man), 2021

All images are © Ben Edge

Intro and outro music: Ibiza by MBB | https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial

Music clips: Lowry at the Door by Ben Edge and the Electric Pencils, and New Tradition by Ben Edge

Folklore Rising, published by Watkins Books is due out on 8 October 2024