My Art Tools is a new segment where I ask artists about their preferred materials, their instruments of choice, where and when they like to use them. Artists think with their hands. Following their gestures and learning about their techniques tells us a lot about following one’s vision, about the pleasures of trusting an instinct, and the resilience it takes to work creatively.

I ask artists a simple question. In an endearingly geeky manner, the answers reveal fantastic methods and unimaginable stories. A big plus: hilarious little incidents and big misadventures that lead to a breakthrough, or a new possibility.

Oh, the question? “What tool do your swear by to make your art?”

This focus brings to the surface the importance of things we don’t mention, but also the mechanics of the mind, I’m told. The answers are… unexpected.

You'll be as surprised as I was to see what Marina Roca Díe and Anouk Mercier chose as their weapon of choice, you know, the thing to make the stuff.

What you get from this episode: Have you ever thought about the stuff art is made of? Wondered how artists make what you see in museums and galleries? How they train their hand, eye, body? Artmaking revelations, art techniques, lessons in resilience, art philosophies, ethical questions.

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You'll know all about the artists, backstage information and much much more. All the references in the episode are linked there too. Plus, you get to explore all my published texts.

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For behind the scenes clips, links to the artists and guests we cover, and visuals of the exhibitions we discuss follow us on Instagram: @exhibitionistas_podcast

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