Ministry of Arts Podcast

In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Pure Evil (@MichelleHeron.art) Michelle Heron is best known for her evocative paintings of shop-fronts, which capture the quiet character of everyday streets.Working primarily in oil, Heron focuses on independent shops, cafés and small businesses, often depicting them closed, weathered or slightly worn. Her work is less about commerce and more about memory, place and passing time. By isolating shop-fronts and removing figures, she invites viewers to reflect on changing high streets and the social histories embedded in familiar buildings.  Her muted colour palettes and careful attention to signage, reflections and typography give each painting a strong sense of atmosphere. Through these seemingly ordinary subjects, Heron elevates overlooked spaces into thoughtful, nostalgic portraits of contemporary British life. Thank you to Tani Burns for making this conversation happen For more information on the work of Michelle Heron go tohttps:// MichelleHeron.co.uk  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.ukEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Gary Mansfield talks to Emily Malice (@emilymalice)Emily Malice is one of the most sort-after artists in the UK, she is one of the many bold and powerful women that are rebalancing the gender scale of the once heavily male orientated industry.She is famed for her linear style mouth design, smiling or snarling and showing braces fixed to the teeth.As well as selling prints of her designs, along with her close friend Stephanie she has started the ethical clothing brand FILTHYCUTELDN. For full line up of confirmed artists go to www.mizogart.com Email: podcast@mizogart.com Social Media: @mizogart Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to James Payne (@GreatArtExplained) James Payne is a writer, curator and YouTuber, known for demystifying art via his popular YouTube channel Great Art Explained. His newly released book, Great Art Explained: The Stories Behind the World’s Greatest Masterpieces, brings that same clarity to the printed page. It explores 30 iconic works — from Botticelli’s Birth of Venus to Monet’s Water Lilies and Georgia O’Keeffe’s Jimson Weed — unpacking not only their visual features but also the artists’ lives and social context. Payne’s style is refreshingly jargon-free: he explains what makes each piece “great” through clear storytelling and insight. Stephen Fry has called the book “an instant classic.” For more information on the Great Art Explained: The Stories Behind the World’s Greatest Masterpieces go towww.welbooks.co.uk/shop/p/great-art-explained-the-stories-behind-the-worlds-greatest-masterpieces-by-james-payne-signed  To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts For full line up of confirmed artists go to www.ministryofarts.co.ukEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Dave Buonaguidi (@RealHackneyDave) Dave Buonaguidi (aka Real Hackney Dave) is best known for his bold, witty, and thought-provoking screen prints that blend vintage imagery with striking typography.Drawing from his background in advertising, Buonaguidi combines humour, social commentary, and nostalgia to challenge conventional ideas of art and communication. He often uses found materials, such as old maps or postcards, overlaid with vivid, hand-pulled slogans that create a playful contrast between past and present. His works explore themes of identity, consumerism, and the power of words, making them instantly recognisable and engaging. Dave  has exhibited widely across the UK, earning a reputation for his distinctive style that bridges pop art and street culture with clever, irreverent energy. For more information on the work of Dave Buonaguidi go tohttps://realhackneydave.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.ukEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Stefdies (@StefDies) Stefdies is a performance and conceptual artist known for her striking photographic series in which she stages her own “death” in public and private spaces. Her work explores themes of vulnerability, mortality, and absurdity within everyday life.By placing her lifeless body in unexpected environments, she provokes reflection on social norms, detachment, and the human condition. Stefdies’ minimalist yet provocative approach merges performance, photography, and satire to question modern existence and visibility 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.ukEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Rod Kitson (@RodKitsonArt) Rod Kitson is an artist known for his expressive portraiture and socially engaged art projects. Kitson’s work often explores themes of identity, community, and mental health.His distinctive style combines bold brushwork with a keen sensitivity to his subjects, capturing emotion and character in equal measure. Kitson gained national attention for his live portrait projects, in which he paints members of the public in pop-up studios and public spaces. These sessions not only produce intimate works of art but also encourage dialogue around creativity and well-being. He is particularly recognised for his “100 Heads” initiative, where he painted one hundred people in as many days, showcasing the diversity and stories of his local community. His work has been exhibited across the UK and is often noted for its accessibility and community focus. Kitson continues to blur the lines between artist and facilitator, using portraiture to foster connection and empathy.  For more information on the work of Rod Kitson go tohttps://www.rodkitson.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.ukEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Kevin Devonport (@KevinDevonportFineArt) Kevin Devonport is a self-taught British artist whose journey from prison to international recognition highlights the life-changing power of art. Raised in Leeds, he left school without qualifications and served several prison terms for drug-related offences.  During a 13-year sentence, he discovered painting through a class run by Care After Combat, a charity supporting ex-service personnel, sparking a profound shift in his life. While imprisoned, Devonport earned a First-Class Honours BSc in Sociology from the Open University, shaping his artistic themes of identity, consumerism, and social structure. His still-life works use everyday objects to tell personal and social stories. Based at Assembly House Studios in Leeds, Kevin exhibits widely and mentors others, particularly ex-offenders and veterans, promoting art as a tool for rehabilitation. For more information on the work of Kevin Devonport go tohttps:// KevinDevonport.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.ukEmail: ministryofartsorg@gmail.comSocial Media: @ministryofartsorg  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.