Extraordinary Creatives

Ceri Hand interviews Keri Elmsly, the Executive Director of Programming at ACMI (Australia's national museum of screen culture). Keri takes us on her remarkable journey from the underground London rave scene to staging groundbreaking immersive art experiences worldwide. She shares insights from working with pioneering artists like UVA, Mira Calix, and Memo Akten to reshape cultural institutions. Together, they explore Keri's approach to fostering ambitious collaborative artworks, from aligning infrastructure to handle complex projects to ensuring artists are properly compensated. Keri offers invaluable advice for creative professionals and shares her extensive knowledge and experience in this episode.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Keri was drawn in by the vibrant DIY creative ethos of the 90s underground rave scene in London, learning the power of transformative collective experiences.
• She observed that artists who kept up consistent creative practice no matter their environment produced the strongest, most refined work.
• As a producer, Keri sees her role as the "hero" for the artist - achieving the impossible together, not just facilitating.
• When commissioning artists in her experience, paying them to prototype ambitious ideas leads to the best outcomes.
• Keri believes cultural institutions like museums must become more invitational and move at the speed of contemporary culture to stay relevant.
• For museums, she feels improving organisational infrastructure is crucial so operations don't paralyse programming ambition and flexibility.
• Keri encourages creatives to remember they likely have more supporters and backers than they realise and to simply reach out and connect. 

BEST MOMENTS 

"I left home on my last day of school to go on the road."

"The people who had the most output were the most refined and dedicated. And when I look at where their careers are now, they’re still artists."

"I was like, well, I don’t know what Second Story is. I’ve never even heard of them. And then, my son was like, mom, I’m really tired of being poor."

"I think the encouragement is you have more backers than you think you do...just say hi to people that you haven’t chatted to for a while."

PODCAST HOST BIO

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

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Subscribe to receive my weekly coaching message to nurture your creativity and be the first to hear about our latest creative coaching, mentoring opportunities and course announcements.: https://linktr.ee/cerihand 

Ceri interviews Christian Viveros-Fauné, a Chilean curator and writer based in New York. Christian shares insights from his prolific career curating major biennials and writing for renowned publications. Christian offers a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of curating a citywide exhibition, from fundraising and gaining stakeholder buy-in to selecting impactful artists and works. He also discusses his personal creative drive, his approach to art criticism, and key artists who have influenced his perspective. Christian also talks about his next curatorial risk - a new book tackling the provocative themes of regulation and experimentation in the art world.

 KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Political turmoil in Chile as a child shaped Christian's view of art as a powerful tool for social commentary.
• When curating a major exhibition, you must convince stakeholders it's a team effort they have a stake in.
• Christian seeks art that innovates on recurring humanist themes like war and love.
• He's committed to working in fledgling contexts and pushing institutions to grow.
• Christian values art's "figural" meaning beyond words, the way it visually engages society.
• He aims to translate complex ideas about art accessibly as a writer and curator.
• When writing criticism, Christian's established voice means he rarely tailors pieces now.
• His next book explores provocative themes of regulation and experimentation in art.

 BEST MOMENTS 

"I wanted to convince people that it's a team operation, that there's a stake in it for them as well as for you and the organisation you're representing."

"I'm a firm believer in the larger field of humanity."

"The fact that we get [big ideas] in new envelopes when they're effective, I think that's where the magic happens."

"My interest has remained in this notion of figural thought and the way meaning spills over."

"You never do know when you touch somebody in their hour of need."

"Keep being prepared to put yourself in the midst of those new, strange contexts to help us see the world differently."

PODCAST HOST BIO

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

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Subscribe to receive my weekly coaching message to nurture your creativity and be the first to hear about our latest creative coaching, mentoring opportunities and course announcements.: https://linktr.ee/cerihand 

Ceri interviews Zerritha Brown, Head of Culture at London's Camden Council, about how her Jamaican roots fuel her rebel spirit to drive grassroots activism. Zerritha shares how she brings that spirit into institutional settings through relationship-building and empowering others. She provides insight on how institutions need to understand their communities, not just co-produce content. Zerritha also discusses her soft yet deep listening leadership style and how she’s paving the way for the next generation.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Zerritha’s Jamaican heritage and music instilled a rebel spirit in her to create access and open doors in the arts for underrepresented communities.
• She builds relationships with institutions to create change from within, like bringing a sound system into the British Museum.
• Institutions need artists and community members working at all levels, not just co-producing content.
• Zerritha’s approach involves collaborating with the same artists long-term to actively shape communities.
• Her listening leadership style achieves remarkable results by empowering others.
• She believes in succession planning to pave the way for the next generation of diverse arts leaders.
• Dance and movement energise and inspire Zerritha to keep growing as a leader.
• Despite challenges, she learned to lead as her authentic self rather than fit a typical leadership stereotype.

BEST MOMENTS 
"That rebel attitude, being Jamaican, from Kingston, Jamaica, music as well, particularly reggae was becoming quite politicised at that time. My dad always carried that warrior, fighter, rebel, rebellious spirit, which was ingrained in me and my siblings."

"The spaces that we have in our control are the public realm. So how do we start to use that public realm and our role as connectors and conveners, bringing people into public space through cultural intervention?"

“They've been able to come in and really connect with us with what is going on in the ground, what needs to happen, where we're doing things wrong, where we're not listening. But also feed that into some of the partners that they're working with. I've seen a real shift change.

"I think also just being me as well and, and just being that, you know, I find, as I said, listening is a real skill…I don't think I can do my job if I don't listen."

PODCAST HOST BIO
Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

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Subscribe to receive my weekly coaching message to nurture your creativity and be the first to hear about our latest creative coaching, mentoring opportunities and course announcements.: https://linktr.ee/cerihand 

Join Ceri as she explores the captivating story behind multimedia artist Soheila Sokhanvari's work. Discover how art saved Soheila from depression as a scientist and fuelled her true calling. Hear how Soheila overcame deep challenges arriving in the UK as a teen and sacrificed family time to follow her artistic path. This moving episode unpacks Soheila's drive to spotlight pre-revolutionary Iran and honour exiled female performers through her portrait work.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Love empowers us to cherish our creativity and ourselves. Self-love forms the bedrock for life and work.
• Embracing failure enables growth and learning - a key to achieving our version of success.
• Discomfort brings genuine expansion. Diving into the deep end helps us thrive.
• Soheila uses beauty and colour to draw people close to difficult narratives in her art.
• Her scientific background taught Soheila to embrace failure and find order in chaos.
• Why Soheila became an unlikely activist, spotlighting oppressed Iranian women.
• Her solo exhibition at the Barbican, London, coincided with protests, providing her a crucial platform.

BEST MOMENTS 
"I can't help but love the person eventually, or at least I need to love them before I start."

"I make my life very difficult. I like that frisson between the vision and the materiality."

"I was just thrilled and happy to be there, but utterly out of my depth."

"To me, success is when you get up in the morning and until night, you do what you really love."

"I want to become a voice for Iranian women because if I don't, my silence would be too heavy."

"I'm making a rubbish public speaker, but I've become a reluctant yet vital activist."

"When I'm not in my comfort zone, when I'm pushed to the brink, some order comes."

PODCAST HOST BIO
Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

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Subscribe to receive my weekly coaching message to nurture your creativity and be the first to hear about our latest creative coaching, mentoring opportunities and course announcements.: https://linktr.ee/cerihand 

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JOIN OUR UPCOMING COURSE: Become A Master Mentor

November 17th, 18th, and 24th

9:30 am to 5:30 pm (GMT)

Unlock your full potential as a creative mentor with our 3-day online course.

In this transformative programme lead by Ceri Hand and Lina Asrarguis, you'll develop results-oriented systems, master effective onboarding, craft an irresistible value proposition, confidently set your price points and budget for profit. Plus, enjoy interactive demos, comprehensive worksheets, and access to a vibrant online creative community.

Don't miss out on this chance to elevate your mentoring skills.

Apply now!

https://www.cerihand.com/become-a-master-mentor

Join artist, designer, and educator Julie Verhoeven in this episode as she shares her creative journey. From hating school and struggling to get into art college, to working with notorious fashion designers John Galliano and Martine Sitbon, Julie has forged her own unique path. She opens up about the imposter syndrome she faced early on, how being different fuels her creativity, and why she didn’t consider herself an “artist” until later in her career. Listen in for her honest take on being an artist and creative as well as tips and advice for emerging creatives looking to chart their own course.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Not getting into art college lit a fire in Julie to pursue fashion design. She developed a strong mindset and willpower which then propelled her successful career.
• Julie has always felt like an outsider and struggled with shyness but has learned to channel those feelings into her creative expression and individualism.
• Deep connections are more important to Julie than large social circles, often forming a creative partnership with just one other person.
• Julie thrives under fast-paced environments with intense schedules and tight deadlines that force decisive action.
• Though she resisted the "artist" label for a long time, Julie now embraces making work just to please herself without fear of judgement.
• She gathers inspiration from her vibrant neighbourhood, reality TV, music, and other multisensory sources.
• Julie urges creatives to fill time so doubts can't creep in, commit fully to their work, and push past discomfort towards change.

BEST MOMENTS 

"It was like a revelation. It was just the best thing ever...I felt absolute freedom when I got there."

"I find it unattractive, the thought of being an artist...this sort of self-centred, all about me."

"I try and create work [knowing] that nobody really cares, nobody's really looking."

"I don't allow space in my brain for doubt or fear."

"There are no rules”

PODCAST HOST BIO

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

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Find out how we can support you to become extraordinary here: https://linktr.ee/cerihand

JOIN OUR UPCOMING COURSE: Become A Master Mentor

November 17th, 18th, and 24th

9:30 am to 5:30 pm (BST)

Unlock your full potential as a creative mentor with our 3-day online course.

In this transformative programme lead by Ceri Hand and Lina Asrarguis, you'll develop results-oriented systems, master effective onboarding, craft an irresistible value proposition, confidently set your price points and budget for profit. Plus, enjoy interactive demos, comprehensive worksheets, and access to a vibrant online creative community.

Don't miss out on this chance to elevate your mentoring skills.

Apply now!

https://www.cerihand.com/become-a-master-mentor

Ceri talks to legendary photographer and TV host Normski. He shares his extraordinary journey from capturing the burgeoning hip-hop scene in the 1980s to becoming Britain's foremost youth presenter. Normski lifts the lid on his creative obsessions, the hustle behind his lens, and key lessons like following your passion, surrounding yourself with a supportive tribe, and having the courage to take creative risks.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Follow your gut instincts and believe in your vision, don't listen to the naysayers.
• Treat each project like it's the most important, even if it's just 5 minutes you should always give it your all.
• Build relationships and community, they will lift you up during challenging times.
• Allow yourself different creative seasons, learn to try new things and reinvent yourself.
• Create work you love and the love from others will come. Integrity and authenticity shine through when your work is created with them.
• Lift others up and help inspire those coming up behind you.
• Stay curious, take creative risks and be willing to fail, that's always where the magic happens.

BEST MOMENTS 

"I was obsessed with getting back to develop the film, hoping I didn't let any light in to bleed it out - reliving that shot was everything."

"It's about being willing to be shit in those moments. Even if you're not willing, you have to be prepared for it to be really crap."

"How is anyone going to be completely sure? If you have a feeling, follow it through."

"If it's not made with love, it probably won't be received with love. It might make you money, but I'm not sure it will have the shelf life."

"I find joy in showing people what's possible, photographs can inspire."

"There's something about you lifting the stone and looking at what's underneath - you're a bit nosy, curious."

PODCAST HOST BIO

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

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Find out how we can support you to become extraordinary here: https://linktr.ee/cerihand

JOIN OUR UPCOMING COURSE: Become A Master Mentor

November 17th, 18th, and 24th

9:30 am to 5:30 pm (BST)

Unlock your full potential as a creative mentor with our 3-day online course.

In this transformative programme lead by Ceri Hand and Lina Asrarguis, you'll develop results-oriented systems, master effective onboarding, craft an irresistible value proposition, confidently set your price points and budget for profit. Plus, enjoy interactive demos, comprehensive worksheets, and access to a vibrant online creative community.

Don't miss out on this chance to elevate your mentoring skills.

Apply now!

https://www.cerihand.com/become-a-master-mentor

Publisher and editor Sharmaine Lovegrove joins Ceri in this week's episode of the Extraordinary Creatives podcast. Despite dealing with dyslexia and homelessness and as a teen, Sharmaine has beaten the odds to become an award-winning MD, publisher and editor. She shares how books were her safe haven growing up and discusses her unique journey to the top of the publishing world. Sharmaine offers incredible, inspiring advice to aspiring creatives and reveals her secret to keeping her creative cup full (hint: it's not PG!). Tune in to hear this remarkable woman's story.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Sharmaine turned to books as an escape in response to feeling like an outsider growing up in a multicultural London. Reading gave her confidence and perspective.
• She became a truth seeker due to experiencing trauma growing up – she now uses that skill to help authors excavate stories and ideas.
• Sharmaine doesn't want to be the protagonist in every situation, instead finding confidence in supporting others’ brilliance shine rather than having to be centre stage.
• Deciding to move to Berlin gave Sharmaine space, time with family, and more focus on editing -  staying connected to the heart of publishing while avoiding the noise.
• Modelling psychological safety as a leader helps Sharmaine ensure that her team feels comfortable stretching themselves, failing, and growing together.
• Sharmaine is committed to pleasure and joy which help keep her creative cup full, she always makes time for sex, food, and Arsenal football!

BEST MOMENTS 

"Being an immigrant Mom in Germany showed me I didn't grow up in an immigrant household - it taught me the difference between ethnic minority and immigrant."

"A lot of sex, watching football and eating food - indulgent things that take focus. That's where humans have always connected."

"Know yourself, be intentional and unapologetic, but also listen and grow. Look for gaps where you can make a difference."

"Keep going. I'm really proud of you. You did what you needed to do and you were right."

"I don't have the same story as James Baldwin or Dr. Maya Angelou. That gave me confidence - it could be so much worse."

PODCAST HOST BIO

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

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Find out how we can support you to become extraordinary here: https://linktr.ee/cerihand

Ceri is joined by poet, comedian and musician John Hegley. From busking to the big stage, John reflects on finding inspiration in everyday objects, overcoming challenges of fame, and the importance of mental well-being. He opens up about his own battles with depression and how connecting and creativity aided his recovery. Listen in to this episode as he unpacks evolving creative pursuits - from visual art to lyrical translation aimed at forging a human connection and even gives an exclusive musical performance on mandolin to finish!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Creativity can be found in humble everyday items - inspiration is all around us.
• Busking and street performing built confidence and taught adaptability.
• Fame and visibility bring mental health challenges that require active care.
• Finding your tribe and connecting creatively is deeply healing.
• Staying open to learning new skills keeps creativity fresh.
• Collaboration with others brings great artistic joy.
• Gratitude for creativity's gifts is just as important as the output.

 BEST MOMENTS 

"Science doesn’t need things to be true, just adequate."

"I think I've had a playful ability, an ability to play with words since I was young, I think."

"I was doing a talk to midwives and I said, one of the things that we have in common, myself and you, is that we try to make people feel better."

“There’s a love of the absurd, I’ve always really loved that about your work… and sometimes there’s a tinge of melancholy in some of the work you perform”

“The moment that changed things was having the John Peel session”

“After all these years you still have those little niggles, it’s the creative in you”

PODCAST HOST BIO

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

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Find out how we can support you to become extraordinary here: https://linktr.ee/cerihand

Ceri interviews quantum artist Libby Heaney, an award-winning British visual artist with a PhD in quantum physics. Libby shares her inspirational journey navigating classism and sexism as a working-class woman in elite academic institutions. She finds solace in art, eventually pursuing it full-time after earning enough money in science. Libby discusses entangling quantum computing with digital art, creating magical, sensual experiences that question reality. A courageous and candid conversation on processing grief after her sister's suicide through vulnerable artworks. Libby reminds us that connection and hope can transcend life's challenges.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Libby was bullied and felt like an outsider as a working-class "gobby clever one" in an elite physics program, finding refuge in art studios after a turbulent home life.
• She persevered in physics to fund her art school dreams but still felt patronised as the only woman in Oxford labs with unprofessional male academics.
• Libby pioneered art interrogating biases in AI systems, including classism, through projects like Lady Chatterley's Tinderbot.
• She creates multi-sensory quantum artworks using code she writes to entangle ideas of fluid identity and the magical realities beneath surface perceptions.
• Processing her grief over her sister's suicide through paintings and VR, Libby vulnerably explores transcendence and hope within devastation.
• Sharing quantum physics concepts with the public, Libby wants to spread the queer, non-binary nature of the microscopic world.
• Despite obstacles, Libby encourages persistence in finding your passion and community, taking care of your whole self.

BEST MOMENTS 

"I'd say, like, keep going, then it will be all right, like, but I think I knew that deep in me as well. I knew what I wanted to do."

"I'm really interested in embodiment and affect and sensation. Cause I think the technical details of quantum are quite hard."

"If you know what you want to do, just keep going”

"I had so many dead ends, which we haven't really spoken about, but that's, to be really clear, I've had so many times things haven't worked out for me, and I've had to go back and try again."

PODCAST HOST BIO

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

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Find out how we can support you to become extraordinary here: https://linktr.ee/cerihand

Ceri sat down with Ekow Eshun, a creative director, writer, curator, and broadcaster, to discuss his personal journey and creative purpose. Ekow's story of growing up in Ghana and returning to a racially charged Britain in the 1970s is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination. He talks the importance of studying politics and history, and shares the publication that had a profound impact on his life. Ekow's candid discussion of the emotional ability and confidence required to speak and question his own thoughts is truly inspiring. He also talks about his current work as a curator, including an upcoming exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. Ekow reflects on the satisfaction and joy he finds in following his curiosity and providing spaces for black artists to be seen and heard. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Ekow's creative purpose stems from his early experiences of living in Ghana and returning to 1970s Britain, where he witnessed the marginalization and dismissal of people of colour.

2. Ekow's choice to study politics and history at the London School of Economics was a strategic move to stay in London and be part of the exciting cultural scene of the late 1980s.

3. Ekow's confidence and ability to have a public opinion and speak on various platforms comes from his extensive research and reading, which allows him to have a well-informed perspective on different topics.

4. Ekow's curatorial work, such as the upcoming exhibition "The Time is Always Now, Artists Reframe the Black Figure," focuses on black figuration and aims to shift the perspective from objectification to subjectivity, inviting viewers to see through the eyes of the artists and their subjects.

5. Ekow finds joy and fulfilment in his creative career by following his curiosity, connecting different aspects of his interests, and using his work as a way to navigate and challenge societal norms and expectations.

BEST MOMENTS

1. "I felt very strongly from an early age that unless I found a way to make my own voice heard, then all you're doing is living within someone else's definition of who you are."

2. "The joy, therefore, is to follow the threads backwards to unravel that thing and to see also where else it can lead you."

3. "I'm interested in artists of all kinds who begin from a presumption that sit within and without that… They're trying to both interrogate the world and offer another way of seeing the world."

4. "So Noah Davis' 1975, it's a blissful painting, but it sits on Ford Proud… Many of the things I do follow on from each other."

5. "The first piece I wrote for The Face magazine… It was about these particular shoes that had kind of returned to popularity… It gave me this kind of validation that you could walk down the street, see something, sell a story on that basis."

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Ceri Hand, the driving force behind countless creative success stories. A creative coach, entrepreneur, and dynamic speaker, she's committed to empowering creatives to realise their dreams and make a meaningful impact through her creative coaching, mentoring and training company www.cerihand.com. With three decades in the arts under her belt, Ceri has ridden the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Now, she's here to help you achieve your goals, your way.

Find out how we can support you to become extraordinary here: https://linktr.ee/cerihand