This week features Leo in conversation with fellow Podcaster, Ica Headlam.
 
Hailing from London, but having spent the last 17 years living in Aberdeen, Ica has spent his time working full time as a social worker, while championing creative talent in the North East of Scotland via his podcast, and his platform 'Big up the 'Deen' where he collaborates with artists. More recently Ica started up the 'We Are Here' platform, which aims to be a space in which black and other underrepresented minority artists and creatives voices can be heard in Scotland.

Our chat covered Ica's early years pursuing a creative goal, his experience moving to Aberdeen from London, why he loves his job, how having a child has changed his outlook and how he has learnt to balance his creative passion with the rest of his life; just to name a few!

You can find Ica at @Creativemepodcast, @weareherescotland, and @bigupthedeen
To keep up to date with the podcast, find us at @curatingconversation and discover new art and artists @the_rafiki_gallery

Support the show

Find all images discussed @Curatingconversation

If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support it, you can do so via Patreon which allows you to become a patron of the podcast which helps me to produce more episodes and host interesting guests!
www.patreon.com/curatingconversation
Thank you so much.
Leo

This week Leo is joined by Edinburgh based DJ Aleem Ellingtone to chat to Scottish artist Sam Macinnes.

Sam had just finished his MAFA degree when we spoke and I was keen to hear about his experiences at art school, along with a deeper conversation into his amazing artwork.
Much of Sam's art is to do with lad culture and asks important questions about toxic masculinity in contemporary society.
From finding inspiration in a club bathroom to creating a cast of animal characters in which to play out his ideas, Sam's practice stands out as being very unique and refreshingly honest. 
By using humour to bring to light important issues Sam is able to bring into conversation topics that might otherwise remain unspoken.

https://www.instagram.com/thee_dudee_zonee/
https://www.instagram.com/djellingtone/
https://www.instagram.com/curatingconversation/?hl=en

Support the show

Find all images discussed @Curatingconversation

If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support it, you can do so via Patreon which allows you to become a patron of the podcast which helps me to produce more episodes and host interesting guests!
www.patreon.com/curatingconversation
Thank you so much.
Leo

This week we have a double guest episode for you. Theo Dingwall-Main and Colin Fung, two students who have nearly come to the end of their MA's in Art business from Sotheby's Institute of Art chat to me about their experiences there and their views on the current state of the arts.

It is a very interesting conversation, covering topics such as the art markets, whether having a degree is worth it, the issues of cultural standards being dictated by the west and whether there might be a return to functional arts, to just name a few!

This episode is a great way to gain some understandable insight into the contemporary art market, the role galleries play and what the market is like for recent graduates.

https://www.instagram.com/curatingconversation/?hl=en

Support the show

Find all images discussed @Curatingconversation

If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support it, you can do so via Patreon which allows you to become a patron of the podcast which helps me to produce more episodes and host interesting guests!
www.patreon.com/curatingconversation
Thank you so much.
Leo

This week Leo is in conversation with our biggest guest yet, DJ PROSPECT.

DJ Prospect is an Edinburgh based DJ and recently became head of A&R for Grimey Limey records (Charlie Sloths label).
Our discussion charts his rise from Swiss upbringing, to working the Edinburgh under 18 clubs, through to performing for Justin Bieber and Snoop Dog!
Alongside his DJ'ing, we chat about his role in the music industry, and how Scotland is fast becoming recognised for all the fantastic talent coming out of it.

So, listen in for some exclusive chats about the contemporary music scene, his own musical tendencies and his everlasting dedication to a certain Sunday ritual.
https://www.instagram.com/curatingconversation/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/djprospect/?hl=en

Support the show

Find all images discussed @Curatingconversation

If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support it, you can do so via Patreon which allows you to become a patron of the podcast which helps me to produce more episodes and host interesting guests!
www.patreon.com/curatingconversation
Thank you so much.
Leo

This week Leo is in conversation with Manchester Art Dealer Ruth Davies, of Elastic Space.


In this weeks episode we discuss her early years in New York and her first experience in Art Dealing, along with her time investigating memorial murals, and the trials and tribulations of turning yourself into a businesswoman after 25 years lecturing!

Most recently Ruth has worked with the new Manchester Stock Exchange, ensuring their interior design was up to scratch, alongside managing all her private clients.
She also reveals some exclusive tips for artists, buyers and collectors, so be sure to tune in.

In today's episode, Leo chats to Aidan Stephen. He has had a bit of a different route into the art world, first turning to painting as a way of aiding his transition from armed forces to civilian life, which led to him attending the Edinburgh College of Art as a mature student. It was here where we first met at his amazing degree show.  In this episode we delved into a variety of topics, from his journey through art school, to how his experiences have affected how and why he paints, along with how he is finding life in lock-down, having just recovered from Corona virus.

Support the show

Find all images discussed @Curatingconversation

If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support it, you can do so via Patreon which allows you to become a patron of the podcast which helps me to produce more episodes and host interesting guests!
www.patreon.com/curatingconversation
Thank you so much.
Leo

Leo was lucky enough to have a virtual sit down with Edward Hayter. Hailing from north London, Ed has spent last the 10 years acting and modelling globally.

Having met in Edinburgh a year ago during his global run of Touching the Void, we felt now would be a good time to see what he has been up too.

We chat about his start into the world of acting, having done theatre, TV and film, most recently starring in Burning Men, directed by the great Jeremy Wooding. (Think Peep show S1). Obviously the lock down is happening and we discuss how best to cope and where we think the creative world will be after.

Ed has spent the last 6 months living and working in Paris before the lock down.
So naturally we talk about his love of art and new found love of nature along with how his roles impact him.

Support the show

Find all images discussed @Curatingconversation

If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support it, you can do so via Patreon which allows you to become a patron of the podcast which helps me to produce more episodes and host interesting guests!
www.patreon.com/curatingconversation
Thank you so much.
Leo

Leo and Will sit down and chat to Dr Christian Weikop, Senior Lecturer in Modern and Contemporary German Art, History of Art at The University of Edinburgh.

We discuss topics ranging from his earliest memories in Denmark, to his journey gaining his PHD and his current work with Strategy Get Arts. Within all this we got into how Sean Connery used to life model in the Edinburgh College of Art, the impact of the amazing Richard Demarco and whether museums and galleries are functioning as they should in this day and age.

Christian has done work on a number of interesting figures such as Anselm Kiefer, Georg Baselitz, Emil Nolde and Gerhard Richter to name but a few. He has interviewed both Kiefer and Baselitz, and tells us about how and why he ended up in such a role. 

If you are interested in Art, Museums, History, James Bond, Edinburgh and even Odd Bins, there is something for you in this week's episode. 

A huge thanks to Dr Christian Weikop for taking the time to have us in!

Support the show

Find all images discussed @Curatingconversation

If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support it, you can do so via Patreon which allows you to become a patron of the podcast which helps me to produce more episodes and host interesting guests!
www.patreon.com/curatingconversation
Thank you so much.
Leo

Leo and Will go and visit Emily Walsh, the Managing Director of the Fine Art Society Edinburgh.

The chat varies from Emily's background and current role to art world insiders and a celebration of Scottish art. She offers sage advice for those wishing to enter into a similar field; Students listen in!
From her earliest memories of the Kelvingrove as a child to her recent dealings with John Bryne, Emily has had a life in the arts and helps us try and understand the day to day trials and tribulations of a modern day art dealer!

The Fine Art Society, is a prominent Edinburgh Gallery, and deals in Scottish paintings and sculpture from the 17th century to the present. The premises, built in 1807, include two floors of gallery space along with a dedicated framing and conservation studio.
Fun fact: The Fine Art Society is one of the world’s oldest art dealerships, founded in 1876.

Thank you to Emily for taking the time to have us in, and good luck with the rest of the year!

This weeks episode brings Vira Ratman into conversation. She is currently undertaking a MAFA degree at Edinburgh College of Art, and hails from Indonesia, bringing her unique take on all things into the studio. We discuss the uses of witch doctors, growing up Brunei and Indonesia, the Rod Stewart scale, and her take on art school. Particularly interesting is her desire for Frida Kahlo, the President of Indonesia and Mao Zedong to have dinner together, listen in for that to make sense...

Vira also works with The Rafiki Gallery and featured in last years exhibition. She offers an intriguing, candid  and hilarious insight into art school and what its like coming from a far eastern background into a western art system.