This week on Pain in the Arts, Chris J Birch and Jak Rhys Birch dive into a whirlwind of Welsh creativity — from Cardiff’s brand‑new upside‑down house installation to pirouettes, dancing shoes, and the eternal question: does a picture really speak a thousand words?

The episode kicks off with a look at what’s happening across Wales’ arts scene, including a visit to the new immersive house on Queen Street (“you might recognise some local artists or designers inside”) and a night out watching Diversity on tour. But things quickly turn reflective as the pair explore how we engage with art — do we care more about how it looks, or the meaning behind it?

Listener questions bring even more depth. Amy asks whether new creatives should register for VAT, sparking a surprisingly funny and genuinely helpful breakdown of turnover, tax, and why so many artists don’t realise they’re running a business (“people who are creatives… don’t recognise that they’re business people”). Then artist Caitlyn Flood‑Molyneux asks whether storytelling matters more than aesthetics, leading to a thoughtful conversation about gallery habits, symbolism, and why some artworks stay with us long after we’ve left the room.

It’s an episode full of insight, humour, and the kind of honest creative chat that makes this podcast a favourite across Wales.

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