PART 2

In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Helen Starr (@themechatroniclibrary)

Helen Starr, a Trinidadian artist and activist, is known for blending digital technology with cultural storytelling. She explores identity, indigeneity, and spirituality through immersive art, often using virtual and augmented reality.

Helen advocates for inclusivity in the arts, challenging colonial narratives and amplifying marginalised voices. Her work connects Caribbean heritage with future-facing media, fostering dialogue on community, environment, and social justice while reimagining how technology shapes human experience.

To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts

For full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Social Media: @ministryofartsorg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Helen Starr (@themechatroniclibrary)

Helen Starr, a Trinidadian artist and activist, is known for blending digital technology with cultural storytelling. She explores identity, indigeneity, and spirituality through immersive art, often using virtual and augmented reality.

Helen advocates for inclusivity in the arts, challenging colonial narratives and amplifying marginalised voices. Her work connects Caribbean heritage with future-facing media, fostering dialogue on community, environment, and social justice while reimagining how technology shapes human experience.

To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts

For full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.org

Email: [email protected]

Social Media: @ministryofartsorg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

REWIND Ep. 14: Bill Daggs - Ministry of Arts Podcast

In this REWIND episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Bill Daggs (@billdaggs)

In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Bill Daggs, a multidisciplinary artist who weaves painting, sculpture, installation, text, moving image, performance and sound into poetic explorations of urban rituals, memory and community.

Rooted in a background as an MC, his visually narrative works blend social observation and nostalgic storytelling across media

To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts

For full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Social Media: @ministryofartsorg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Graeme Messer (@GraemeMesser)

Graeme Messer is a London-based multidisciplinary artist whose work spans assemblage, photography, text, and performance. Originally from South Africa, he moved to the UK in the 1980s and built a successful early career in theatre, directing works by Shakespeare and Tennessee Williams, and founding the award-winning company Out of Bounds.

Since 2010, Messer has focused solely on visual art, bringing his theatrical flair into the gallery space.

Messer’s work is often autobiographical, exploring themes such as identity, shame, self-worth, and the complex interplay between vulnerability and resilience. He is known for his distinctive mirror pieces—vintage mirrors etched with bold, confrontational or affirming text, illuminated with LED lighting. These works prompt viewers to reflect—both literally and metaphorically—on themselves and the world around them.

Messer continues to push boundaries, using art as a means to question, provoke, and connect.

For more information on the work of Graeme Messer go to

https://www.Graeme Messer.com

To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts

For full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.org

Email: [email protected]

Social Media: @ministryofartsorg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this REWIND episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Franko B (@franko_b_artist)

Franko B is a performance and multidisciplinary artist known for using his body to explore themes of pain, love, and politics. Active since the 1990s, his provocative work spans performance, installation, video, and painting. Often confronting taboo subjects, Franko B challenges perceptions of vulnerability and the human condition, leaving a lasting impact on contemporary art.

To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts

For full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Social Media: @ministryofartsorg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Haus of Lucy (@HouseOfLucy)

Haus of Lucy is a contemporary multimedia artist based in Sussex, celebrated for her unique fusion of traditional art with modern culture, often delivered with a satirical twist. With a background in magazine design, she made the leap to full-time artistry in 2019 following a high-profile commission for the Adidas flagship store in London. This key opportunity proved transformative, sparking collaborations with brands including Footlocker, Lazy Oaf, Primark, and Greggs. Her work cleverly disrupts classical conventions by inserting unexpected, often humorous elements into familiar scenes. A 15th-century landscape may feature an EasyJet aircraft, or a porcelain tureen might be repurposed as a KFC gravy boat.

These imaginative juxtapositions invite viewers to reconsider the relationship between fine art and contemporary consumer culture. In addition to her prints, Lucy reimagines discarded ceramic figurines, turning them into provocative modern characters—like a demure Victorian lady armed with a chainsaw or a cherubic baby dabbling in the dark web. These pieces offer wry social commentary while preserving the nostalgic charm of vintage ornamentation.

Working from her Brighton studio, Haus of Lucy continues to intrigue and amuse with work that is both visually striking and intellectually playful.

For more information on the work of Haus of Lucy go to

https://pureevilgallery.com/

To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts

For full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Social Media: @ministryofartsorg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this REWIND episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Alice Maher (@Maher. Alice)

Alice Maher is a prominent Irish contemporary artist whose work explores themes of identity, gender, mythology, and the body. Born in 1956 in County Tipperary, Maher studied at the University of Ulster, Belfast, and the San Francisco Art Institute. Her practice spans a wide range of media, including drawing, sculpture, photography, installation, and film.

Maher is known for using unconventional materials such as hair, nettles, thorns, and animal organs, challenging traditional boundaries between nature and culture, the beautiful and the grotesque. Her art frequently references Irish folklore, literature, and feminist theory, creating deeply symbolic and often unsettling imagery. Works like The Axe (and the Waving Girl) and Mnemosyne reflect her interest in memory, transformation, and the female experience.

In addition to her visual work, Maher has collaborated with writers, musicians, and performers, enriching her practice with interdisciplinary influences. She represented Ireland at the São Paulo Bienal in 1994 and has exhibited widely in major galleries, including the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Maher remains a vital figure in contemporary art, both in Ireland and internationally.

To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts

For full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Social Media: @ministryofartsorg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this REWIND episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Simon Callery (@Simon.Callery)

Simon Callery is known for his innovative approach to painting, which bridges the gap between two-dimensional surfaces and three-dimensional space. Born in London in 1960, Callery studied at Campion School and later at Cardiff College of Art. His work challenges traditional definitions of painting by incorporating sculptural elements—his canvases are often cut, pierced, folded, and stained with intense, earthy pigments. These works possess a physicality that invites viewers to engage not only visually but also spatially.

Callery’s artistic process is deeply connected to the landscape and archaeology, particularly the British countryside. Collaborations with archaeologists have influenced his method of working directly on site, allowing his paintings to absorb the environment both physically and conceptually. His paintings are often large in scale, with surfaces that appear worn, layered, and tactile—echoing the processes of erosion and excavation.

By rejecting the illusionistic space of traditional painting, Callery creates works that are both objects and experiences. He has exhibited widely across the UK and Europe, with works held in public collections such as the Tate and Arts Council England.

To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts

For full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Social Media: @ministryofartsorg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to SLART (@SLART.ME)

 SLART — a figurative expressionist and proud outsider artist based in Swindon, UK.

He dropped out of his A-level art class after his teacher told him he couldn’t draw large scale. It wasn’t until his late 30s that he picked up pen and ink again, prompted by a blog post that posed three questions about childhood pastimes. His answers were all “drawing and video games”—he chose drawing.

Many life experiences fuel his art, including his adoption, chronic illness, two kidney transplants, the deaths of family members, everyday life, and a fascination with people and their stories — as an observer of others, shaped by chronic shyness and a deep feeling of being an outsider. Now he mainly paints large canvases using oils and acrylics, exploring themes of identity, memory, nostalgia and mortality, but often injects a humorous, self-deprecating element to his work.

He writes about his art practice every Saturday on Substack (Substack www.creamofthecropbyslart.com)

Upcoming solo show 6-18th September www.memementovivere.art

Exhibition Details:

MEMENTO VIVERE (Remember to Live) - Art Exhibition by SLART

The Crypt Gallery, St Pancras Church, Euston Road, London, NW1 2BA

7th September – 18th September 2025

Free Entry

Opening Night Reception: Saturday, 6th September 2025, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Invite only)

In partnership with Beata Maria Rzepecka from Gabriel Fine Arts, invites the public to "MEMENTO VIVERE" (Remember to Live)

"MEMENTO VIVERE" serves as a poignant reminder to embrace the beauty and fragility of existence. The works reflect a deeply personal journey of introspection while touching upon the universal human condition.

"People shy away from death," says SLART, whose work often combines memento mori and spiritual themes with pop culture influences. “This exhibition comes from facing my own health struggles and thinking a lot about life and death. But it’s not all heavy — it’s actually about hope and reflection. It’s a reminder to wake up, notice the little things, and really live — with no regrets. Even when life feels messy, there’s still beauty and meaning to be found."

The exhibition aims to challenge viewers to reflect on their own lives, mortality, and choices, creating an appreciation for the fleeting nature of time. Using raw expression, SLART’s art navigates complex emotions, testifying to human resilience and the drive to live fully during our finite lives.

For more information on the work of SLART go to

https://www.slart.me

To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts

For full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Social Media: @ministryofartsorg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

REWIND Ep.06 Si Sapsford - Ministry of Arts Podcast

In this REWIND episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Si Sapsford (@SiSapsford)

Si Sapsford is a multidisciplinary artist known for her innovative work across performance, installation, and digital media. Her practice explores themes of identity, technology, and the body, often challenging societal norms through provocative and immersive experiences.

Sapsford’s work has been exhibited in galleries and festivals both nationally and internationally, reflecting a commitment to pushing artistic boundaries.

In addition to her creative practice, she is a dedicated educator and serves as a tutor at the University of East London, where she mentors emerging artists and contributes to the development of contemporary art education through her expertise and experience in experimental art forms.

To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts

For full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Social Media: @ministryofartsorg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.