Modern Art is Rubbish Podcast: Drawing Boards and Skateboards

In this episode, Marcus, Tom, and our honorary “audience member” Paul head to the opening night of an intriguing exhibition at the Mid Street Lab Gallery in the Kemp Town area of Brighton. The event celebrates the launch of Drawing Boards, a book showcasing 20 years of Adam McEvoy’s artwork—all created on skateboard decks!

McEvoy’s art carries a vibrant indie comic book vibe, featuring a kaleidoscope of styles and concepts. From board game-inspired designs and “Philosopher Boards” to pieces with environmental themes, spiritual undertones, and even practical works like mushroom motifs, the collection brims with humour, beauty, and abstract flair.

After soaking in the eclectic exhibition, the trio heads back to Marcus’s flat to chat about the show and dive into plans for future podcast episodes. Expect laughs, lively banter, and insights into the world of skateboard art.

Tune in and roll along with us as we explore McEvoy’s incredible boards and the stories behind them.

The show is on till 1st feb 2025 the gallery is open tue – sat 12-5 and Sunday mostly after lunchtime.

You can find out more on the Drawing Boards Website here News – The Drawing Boards

Here is the Link to the Mid Street Lab Gallery

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In this end-of-year episode of Modern Art is Rubbish, we explore two of 2024’s most talked-about art stories. First, we dive into the revival of Luna Luna, the whimsical 1980s art amusement park featuring works by Basquiat, Haring, and Hockney, now restored and open in New York. Then, we unpack the controversy surrounding the Mona Ladies’ Lounge, a women-only art installation in Tasmania that sparked a legal battle over gender exclusivity. Join us as we reflect on the year’s most boundary-pushing art moments and their impact on the cultural conversation!

You can learn more about Luna Luna here

You can learn more about the ladies lounge here

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Join us for a festive dive into the curious world of Christmas art and design. We’ll explore Salvador Dalí’s unconventional Christmas card designs for Hallmark in 1959—bold, surreal, and ultimately too avant-garde for mainstream tastes. We’ll also take a look at some of the strangest Christmas design disasters, from dubious cracker gifts and questionable political decorations to a particularly baffling squished, surrendering baby Jesus ornament. Get ready for a festive celebration filled with art, humour, and the wonderfully absurd.

You can see more festive f’ups on this article produced by Demilked

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In this episode of Modern Art is Rubbish, we dive into the captivating world of purple—the colour of royalty, mystery, and, surprisingly, controversy! We start with a playful homage to Prince’s iconic Purple Rain and explore his lifelong love affair with this majestic hue. From prehistoric cave art to Tyrian purple’s snail-powered luxury, we uncover the colour’s rich history and its associations with wealth, power, and spirituality.

But purple isn’t loved by all! We share wild Reddit stories, including a shocking tale of a high-school art teacher convinced her student’s use of purple symbolised deep psychological distress. Then, we explore the vibrant role of purple in art, spotlighting Claude Monet’s Waterloo Bridge, Sunlight Effect and Mark Rothko’s meditative Untitled (Blue, Green, and Brown).

Whether you’re Team Purple or find it “awkward and unsure of itself,” this episode reveals why this enigmatic colour has inspired artists, ruled empires, and stirred strong opinions throughout history.

Listen now to discover why purple reigns supreme—or does it?

Extra!

At the start of episode we mentioned the work of the artist Poppy Baynham

You can follow her instagram here via this link and listen to the previous episode here we did where we discussed her art here in a not to be missed in a controversial art in windows episode!

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In this episode of Modern Art is Rubbish, we’re jumping into three of the art world’s most daring controversies. Starting with John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Two Virgins album cover—a work so revealing it had to be sold in a brown paper bag! Next, we explore Modigliani’s infamous 1917 Paris exhibition, where his nudes caused such a stir that the police shut it down on the first day. Finally, we delve into Hay-on-Wye’s recent scandal: a painting of a nude woman in cowboy boots, displayed right in the gallery window, which led to complaints, police visits, and a fierce local debate over censorship and art.

This episode is packed with stories about art pushing boundaries, sparking dialogue, and questioning the fine line between art and offense. Tune in to decide for yourself: are these works masterpieces or just plain outrageous?

The Origin of the World by Gustav Courbet 1866

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n this episode of Modern Art is Rubbish, we head to Brighton’s Labyrinth Gallery for a unique event celebrating Tboy’s latest coffee tin designs for Pepita Coffee, with a guest list that even included Fatboy Slim! Instead of covering the usual event highlights, we decided to capture exclusive interviews with those lining up to attend.

Join us as we talk with attendees about their first memories of art, from Dali’s melting clocks in The Persistence of Memory to the coastal visions of William Blake and more. It’s a mix of eclectic stories, art memories, and new insights—perfect for any art lover.

You can find out more about Tboy by listening to our episode on this link.

Pepita Coffee

Labyrinth Gallery Brighton Website

Here is the Instagram for TBoy

Pauline Brewster Artwork

Lucy Delano Instagram page

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In this episode of Modern Art is Rubbish, we dive into the wild world of Banksy! From the daring theft of the Girl with Balloon to Banksy’s, animal-themed murals popping up all over London (and one wolf mural stolen just hours after its reveal!), this episode is packed with art-filled chaos. We’ll also explore the vandalism of Banksy’s rhino piece in Charlton and revisit the legendary graffiti war between Banksy and King Robbo. Join us for a fun and informative ride through street art’s most captivating stories, blending art history with urban intrigue!

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In this episode, we blend high art with bold activism! First, we uncover the story of a “horrible” Picasso painting found in a junk dealer’s garage—now potentially worth up to €6 million! Then, we dive into the dramatic Just Stop Oil protests, including the infamous soup-throwing stunt on Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and other acts of defiance. Join us as we explore the tension between art preservation and environmental activism, all while keeping it fun, informative, and packed with eye-catching stories!

Dodgy looking Picasso painting found in Italy. Source: Andrea LoRosso

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Join us as we explore the world’s oldest cave art discovery on Sulawesi, featuring a wild pig and human-like figures drawn over 51,200 years ago. Plus, hear the wild tale of a stolen Titian masterpiece found at a bus stop and sold for $22 million. This episode blends ancient creativity and modern-day art intrigue for a fascinating journey through time!

Read more on the BBC Article here

Read more on Artnet Here

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Join Marcus and Tom in this fun and informative episode as they explore the fascinating world of AI art with their special guest, Digitron—the art-loving AI with plans for eventual world domination. Dive into the groundbreaking works of AARON, The Next Rembrandt, and Mario Klingemann’s ‘Memories of Passersby.’ Digitron adds a touch of humor and insight, discussing the potential and challenges of AI in the creative industries. Tune in for a lively discussion on how technology is reshaping the art world and what the future holds for human and machine collaboration

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