In episode 01 of The Great Women Artists Podcast, Katy Hessel interviews the exceptional curator, Eleanor Nairne, about the Abstract Expressionist sensation, LEE KRASNER!!

Born in 1908 Brooklyn to a Jewish family, Krasner was known as one of the greatest painters of the 20th century. Nairne, who recently curated “Lee Krasner: Living Colour” at London's Barbican Centre, catapulted her into the spotlight after decades of the artist often being overshadowed by her former husband, Jackson Pollock. Whether you’re a die-hard Krasner fan (like me), or have never even heard of her at all, TUNE IN to here us discussing her incredible career.

We cover Krasner’s Brooklyn childhood, the moment “The Modern” opens in 1929 (aka MoMA), her education at the all-women’s Washington Irving School and later Cooper Union in NYC, her formidable determination to become one of the greatest artists of all time, seminal works and of course her very interesting (and at times heartbreaking!) life story.

WORKS DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

Another storm (1963)

Mural (1943–7 by Jackson Pollock) 

Self Portrait (1928)

Prophecy (1956) 

Little images (1946–50) 

Mosaic Table (1947) 

Night series: The Eye is the First Circle (1960)

Further information about Eleanor's fantastic exhibition:

https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2019/event/lee-krasner-living-colour

Thank you for listening!! This episode is sponsored by the Affordable Art Fair.

Produced and presented by Katy Hessel

Sound editing by Ellie Clifford/ Naomi Abel-Hirsch

Follow us:

Katy Hessel: @thegreatwomenartists / @katy.hessel

Artwork by @thisisaliceskinner

@_ellieclifford / @naomiabel

Music by Ben Wetherfield