Can Art Save Us?

Ceramic cups full of cowardice, creativity and courage.

Marice Cumber is one of the UK’s most compelling ceramic artists. She presents her own emotions, fears and vulnerabilities in her work and even cowardice shows up, no doubt  kicking and screaming. Her large, over-sized, ceramic cups hold and display her raw  emotions. They share the edgy qualities of German Expressionism by showing inner feelings and embracing the alternative but keeping a healthy focus on individual strength too. Marice is also the founder and director of Accumulate, the Art School for the Homeless and she has been committed to creativity as a way of empowering people who are homeless to move forward positively in their lives – you could say helping to re-fill their own cups with possibility and opportunity. We talk about cowardice, courage, mental health, purpose through crisis and how we can change adversity in our lives through creativity.
Series Audio Editor - Joey Quan.
Series Music - Courtesy of Barry J. Gibb
Closed Captions are added to all interviews in this series. Read only, text versions of every interview can also be found here: https://www.canartsaveus.com
Discover Marice Cumber:
https://www.instagram.com/maricecumber/  
https://accumulate.org.uk/
 

The UK’s First Hip-Hop Poet Laureate

Otis Mensah is the first hip-hop poet to be awarded a poet laureate title in the UK by the City of Sheffield.  Influenced by the expressive freedom of Jazz, Otis documents his journeys of introspection through vulnerable expression that speaks to racial identity, masculinity, loneliness and being othered. He has had numerous commissions and live performances include the Glastonbury Music Festival. His poetry collection, Metamorphosis, gives voice to unspoken trauma in everyday-life and we also talked about why poetry can speak, but we may not talk to each other.
As the first Hip-Hop artist to be awarded a poet laureate title in the UK, he wants to use the position to break down barriers, smash the stuffy stereotype, and remind people that poetry is meant to be for the people. The Guardian. 
Otis could be described as the most courageously vulnerable artist of the 21st century.
Series Audio Editor - Courtesy of Joey Quan.
Series Music - Courtesy of Barry J. Gibb
Closed Captions are added to all interviews in this series. Read only, text versions of every interview can also be found here: https://www.canartsaveus.com
Discover Otis Mensah here: https://otismensah.com/

Home of the Surrealists, Lee Miller / Roland Penrose

Antony Penrose, is the son of extraordinary parents. A photographer, author and rewilder, he is also the Co-director of The Penrose Collection and the Lee Miller Archives at Farleys House & Gallery. At his childhood home in Sussex, Antony conserves and shares the ground breaking work of his parents. His father Sir Roland Penrose was a surrealist painter, poet, biographer and a major collector of modern art. His mother, Lee Miller, was a highly significant WWII frontline war photographer. We talk about her deep, childhood trauma and leaving Vogue magazine behind as a top model to photograph truth, war crimes and concentration camps. Oscar winner, Kate Winslet, will play Lee Miller in the forthcoming film, 'Lee.' Antony talks about biting Picasso as a child, how 'curiosity is one of the most important things in the world,’ and the courage of conviction. He doesn’t shy away from brutal honesty personally or professionally. He talks about growing up with his mother’s PTSD and alcoholism and the astounding discovery of her enormous, photographic legacy in the attic after she had died. He asked Lee once, “Do you mind what people might say about you?” Lee replied, “They can say what ever they like, as long as it’s the truth.” Antony remains loyal to his parent’s core value of truth, ever more important in an age of fake news, propaganda and divisive politics.
Images by permission only: ‘
Antony Penrose, Farleys House, Sussex, England’ by Tony Tree / ‘Dining Room, Farleys House, Sussex, England’ by Tony Tree
Audio edit courtesy of Joey Quan.
Series Music - Courtesy of Barry J. Gibb
Closed Captions are added to all interviews in this series. Read only, text versions of every interview can be found here: https://canartsaveus.com/
Discover Farleys House & Gallery: https://www.farleyshouseandgallery.co.uk/ 
Listen to the podcast of  letters between Lee Miller and Roland Penrose, on all major streaming platforms, "Love Letters Bound in Gold Handcuffs."

Song, sexism and systemic racism in the music industry.

Eve Horne, is a singer, songwriter, producer, author, award winning mentor and activist. Eve's journey is a roller coaster from being in 90s 'girl groups' touring with major boy bands, a No. 1 single and millions of streams on Spotify, to a major life change dealing with depression then re-emerging as a producer and co-writer for major artists. Black, gay and a single mum, Eve is also a campaigner for gender equality in the music industry with her campaign 'The Unheard.' This year she is recognised as a Future Leader with Keychange, a global movement for equality. Eve talks about early trauma from feelings of rejection to racially motivated murder. She talks about life extremes from private jets to driving trains and onto the loneliness of leadership. Struggle has built her resilience and her commitment to justice is brave and unwavering.
Closed Captions are added to all interviews in this series. Read only, text versions of every interview can be found here: https://canartsaveus.com/
Images: Courtesy of Eve Horne / Peak Music UK.
Audio edit: Courtesy of Joey Quan.
Series Music - Courtesy of Barry J. Gibb
Discover Eve: https://www.peakmusic.uk/

Islamic genius, gravity, grief and the grip of art.

Hala Sabet, changed her life from being the most senior woman in the multinational oil and gas giant, Shell, in Egypt, to becoming a fine artist. Hala draws on her Egyptian roots to express the universe through sculpture and painting. She was selected by the Royal British Society of Sculptors and the International Art Fair in Egypt, where she also has recently had large scale solo exhibitions. We explore curiosity and courage through the idea of biblical coding, Islamic geometry, gravity and profound grief when art was her essential life force. Hala shares the loss of her mother, brother and feeling devastated when her husband needed major heart surgery. Hala's conviction is gripped through art.
Closed Captions are added to all interviews in this series. Read only, text versions of every interview can be found here: https://canartsaveus.com/
Images: Artworks by and courtesy of Hala Sabet.
Audi Edit courtesy of Katherine Wiley. 
Series Music - Courtesy of Barry J. Gibb
Discover Hala Sabet: https://www.halasabet.co.uk/

The power of paint, public space, a mum and Islamic faith.

Mohammed Ali, MBE, is a graffiti artist who works internationally and creates immersive events combining theatre, music and poetry too. Mohammed has a deep respect for heritage, community and the arts and his purpose is clear; he wants to empower communities and celebrate multi-cultural stories around faith and migration. His art work could be understood as a vital community service, one of human connection. Mohammed is changing community division by demystifying culture, faith and ethnicity, spray can by spray can. We explore whether public space really exists, the empowerment of people, art without pretention and where courage exists.
Closed Captions are added to all interviews in this series. Read only, text versions of every interview can be found here: https://canartsaveus.com/
Images: Courtesy of Mohammed Ali, MBE
Audio Edit: Courtesy of Joey Quan.
Series Music - Courtesy of Barry J. Gibb
Discover Mohammed Ali: https://www.artofmohammedali.com/

Tap dancing during fierce civil unrest, Istanbul

Marije Nie is a classically trained musician and percussive tap dance poet. Marije's Ted Talk features her multi award-winning dance documentary 'One Million Steps’ with Eva Stotz, where she tapped poetic dance steps in the face of an explosive protest with police using tear gas in Gezi Park, Istanbul. Marije is also the recipient of the Dutch Jur Naessens prize for innovation and she has performed with classical orchestras, jazz and contemporary ensembles on concert stages around the world. We explore space in rhythm, the mind and the community. We discuss stretching our 'imagination muscles' and the rhythm of music to over coming fear of bodily harm and death.
Closed Captions are added to all interviews in this series. Read only, text versions of every interview can be found here: https://canartsaveus.com/
Image: Courtesy of Marije Nie
Audio edit courtesy of Joey Quan
Series Music - Courtesy of Barry J. Gibb
Discover Marije Nie: https://marijenie.com/

The UK’s first hip-hop poet laureate.

Otis Mensah, is a hip-hop poet and master of vulnerable expression. Otis became the City of Sheffield’s first poet laureate and his live performances include Glastonbury Music Festival and opening for numerous artists. Otis breaks down barriers of power, elitism and control including stereotyping and branding. He reminds "people that poetry is meant to be for the people.” – The Guardian. We explore curiosity and courage through identity, power struggles, daily fears, anxieties, the beauty of dyslexia and how we can give language freedom to let ourselves flourish. We discuss why poetry can speak but we may not speak to each other.
Closed Captions are added to all interviews in this series. Read only, text versions of every interview can be found here: www//canartsaveus.com/
Image: Ai Narapol.
Audio edit courtesy of Joey Quan.
Series Music - Courtesy of Barry J. Gibb
Discover Otis Mensah: www.otismensah.com/

Drag King, privilege, toxicity and vital mess.

Lady Kitt is a creative activist, artist, maker and drag king, described as ‘an international superstar of feminism.’ You may also encounter Kitt as Captain Privilege or as King Kitt, a terminally confused, toxic male. Kitt’s practice however as a socially engaged artist is crystal clear. From performance art to giant origami, Kitt addresses inequality and inclusivity and creates projects all over the world. We talk about socially engaged art as acts of compassion and failures in social provision as acts of harm. We talk about art as a collaborative heartbeat but not a cure all for community regeneration led by poor policy. We explore curiosity as mess and the structures of support we need for courage.
 
Images: Courtesy of Lady Kitt.
Headshot PlentyUpTop (Colour photo, interior. Head and shoulders portrait of Kitt, a white shaven headed human. Kitt is smiling a wide smile. They wear a headdress which, in bright pink 3D letters, reads "Plenty Up Top". They also wear a necklace which, in the same pink lettering, reads "Gallery". 2019)
Headshot QueerCripCraftPower (Colour photo, interior. Kitt, white haven headed human with a big smile wears a headdress made of huge multi coloured flowers and a black long sleeved shirt on which white and orange text reads “queer crip craft power”. 2021)
Audio edit courtesy of Katherine Wiley.
Series music: Created by and courtesy of Barry J. Gibb
Closed Captions are added to all interviews in this series. Read only, text versions of every interview can be found here: https://www.canartsaveus.com
Discover Lady Kitt: https://www.lladykitt.com/

Film art on life, death and unexpected gifts.

Barry Gibb is a multi, multi-award winning filmmaker with over 100 science films and a series of powerful shorts about time, life and death. He often films in deeply sensitive and difficult circumstances. His recent film 'The Gift,' follows the artist Barbara Bird's end of life but also her continued journey by gifting her body to science. This film has won 15 international awards alone. Barry is also a neuro-scientist and award-winning author of the 'Rough Guide to the Brain.' We explore curiosity and courage through vulnerability, time, life and death. Barry shares his fear of death and how the camera lens invites his courage to share meaningfully creative work and his compassionate purpose.
 
Closed Captions are added to all interviews in this series. Read only, text versions of every interview can be found here: https://www.canartsaveus.com
Image: Courtesy of Barry J. Gibb
Episode audio edit: Courtesy of Barry J. Gibb
Series music: Created by and courtesy of Barry J. Gibb
Discover Barry's work: https://www.barryjamesgibb.com/