Modern Art is Rubbish

Banksy has done it again. A shocking mural appeared at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, showing a judge striking a protester with a gavel. Within days it was removed, but not before sparking headlines, police investigations, and questions about freedom of protest. We break down the full story of the Banksy Royal Courts of Justice scandal, from its sudden appearance to the ghostly trace that may still remain.

Then, we switch gears with a creative showdown: an artist challenges ChatGPT in a human vs AI drawing battle. Who wins – the hand or the machine?

If you love street art, Banksy news, and the future of creativity, this episode is for you.

Plus checkout the Artist versus AI on their channel @pomeroyartacademy

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n this explosive episode of Modern Art is Rubbish, we dive into the unfolding controversy surrounding street artist Ben Eine, who’s been accused of vandalising murals, silencing fellow artists, and erasing voices—literally.

Artists Sprite and Snub claim Eine retaliated after they spoke out against his past—specifically, his 2018 assault conviction. In a bold act of protest, one of Sprite’s murals has been transformed into a powerful statement reading: “BEN EINE HITS WOMEN.”
We unpack the allegations, the art world’s response, and the ethics of using art to challenge abuse of power.

In the second half, we explore Picasso’s Weeping Woman (1937)—a masterpiece of sorrow, but also a portrait shrouded in questions of emotional control, artistic dominance, and who really owns the story in a painting.

Power. Protest. Paint. This is modern art with teeth.

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What happens when art disappears? Whether by accident, artistic intent, or sheer bad luck, some of the world’s most fascinating artworks have been erased, painted over, jet-washed, or even burned!

In this episode of Modern Art Is Rubbish, we uncover the craziest stories of lost and destroyed masterpieces:

Banksy’s Brick Lane Monkeys – Jet-washed out of existence!
Banksy’s Gorilla in a Pink Mask – Painted over and nearly lost forever!
Rauschenberg’s ‘Erased de Kooning’ – Can deleting a masterpiece be a masterpiece?
John Baldessari’s Cremation Project – An artist who burned all his paintings… then baked the ashes into biscuits?!

This episode is for art lovers, Banksy fans, and anyone who’s ever wondered: What happens when art vanishes?

Listen now for a deep dive into the strangest stories in modern art!

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n this episode of Modern Art is Rubbish, we dive into two tales of art, money, and misplaced confidence.

First up, Trump’s fake Renoir—for years, he’s insisted he owns an original Pierre-Auguste Renoir painting, Two Sisters (On the Terrace), despite the actual one hanging in the Art Institute of Chicago since 1933. Does he know? Does he care?

Then there’s Warhol’s Trump Tower silkscreens—commissioned, created, and then rejected by Trump because they didn’t match his pink and orange interior. Fast forward a few decades, and one of these unwanted artworks sells for $950,000. An expensive mistake?

And just to add to the mix, Trump’s $TRUMP cryptocurrency is now being called “art” to avoid pesky financial regulations. Is this a clever loophole or just another layer of the absurd?

It’s art, money, and questionable taste—Modern Art is Rubbish at its finest.

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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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