The love that loves you back

As society rushes to automate creativity, we ask a difficult question, what happens when humanity begins outsourcing the very things that make us human before we’ve even understood our own humanity? Join hosts Valerie and Jonathan in conversation as they unpack AI participation in the creation and critique of art.

Our special guest this episode is Abdollah Nafisi, a public sculpture artist born in Tehran, Iran, during the Iran–Iraq War. In his twenties, Nafisi travelled with nomadic tribes to learn traditional crafts and local material practices. Originally trained as a furniture maker in Iran and later relocating to the UK, he has developed a sculptural practice that considers the relationship between material, space, and identity. Working primarily with wood, his work often reflects a deep sensitivity to trees.

As promised Episode 22, our final for 2025 answers your major questions for us. We tackle - surviving your own opening, managing success, art prizes - yes or no and finally...will we survive 2026! Join us to find out!!

Jonathan and Valerie unpack the essences of art criticism and why it's return is vital to contemporary art.

In this episode, curator and director of Ink Institute, Craig Yee, shares insights on how engaging with different cultural and historical perspectives can deepen and expand the foundations of contemporary art. We dive into his work at Ink Institute, a gallery project dedicated to traditional Chinese calligraphy–based practice, and explore how art can become a space for dialogue.

In this episode, we sit down with artist Lawrence Lamaoana to explore his remarkable career and artistic journey, from his early influences in sports and politics to finding his niche. We also trace the path that led to Occupying the Gallery, offering insights into creativity, community-building, mentorship and the power of art to sparking dialogue.

In this episode Jonathan and Valerie address the idea and history of portraiture with mild dissection of Jonathan's personal insights as a portraitist.

Valerie and Jonathan welcome the pod’s very first guest, Gresham Tapiwa Nyaude one of Zimbabwe’s most dynamic painting voices. The episode journeys through Gresham’s life, inspirations and insights as an emerging painter reaching maturity.

Valerie and Jonathan discuss the importance of mentorship in art, exploring how even the most successful artists rely on mentors, coaches, and guides to shape their creative journeys.

Join Valerie and Jonathan for their first episode of the year as they dive into the topic of nepotism in the art world. From renowned painters such as Pablo Picasso and Lucian Freud with famous familial connections, they explore how having well-known parents can shape an artist’s career!

Jonathan and Valerie explore the AI in art debate, examining how technology intersects with art history and discussing the ethical considerations of aesthetics in the digital age.

Valerie and Jonathan commemorate the life of Frank Auerbach with a discussion about his work and the extraordinary London Quartet he was a part of (Leon Kossoff, Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon), who catalysed British painting in the second half of the 20th century.

Jonathan and Valerie explore the modern phenomenon of artist deification. They discuss how idolizing artists can affect their creative process, the reception of their work, and the extrinsic pressures that come with public attention.