The art world often feels out of reach for those without a yearly invitation to Frieze. Despite hundreds of thousands of artworks on display in public institutions, art maintains a veneer of exclusivity. Many consider elitism to be the rot at the core of the industry.
Art podcasts are doing some of the work to make this world more accessible — and doing it well. Podcasts about art and design are consistently innovative and diverse. Unlike travel podcasts, this is a small genre that feels dynamic. For a list this size, the shows embody a large range, from a classic interview format to weekly history lesson.
Beyond accessibility, art podcasts are vital because they are about far more than art. They cover economics, history, and politics in their analysis. Creativity has never existed in a vacuum and art podcasts paint a picture of our world through aesthetics. Little wonder they are so beguiling.
Avery Trufelman’s award-winning podcast Articles of Interest is all about what our clothes can tell us about society. The premise is fantastically simple: every time we get dressed, we are signalling to others information about our economic and social environment. Who we are becomes what we wear, regardless of whether we consider ourselves to be sartorial aficionados.
Trufelman explores her subject with a millennial’s curiosity. She is keen to understand how clothing intersects with other social issues, like race and gender. What would the fashion industry look like without capitalism? Are knockoffs ever ethical? Trufelman never flinches from complicating our easy relationship with everyday life.
Articles of Interest was one of our top podcasts in 2022. Several years later, the show continues to ask interesting questions about our complicated love affair with clothing.
Talk Art is a British podcast presented by actor Russell Tovey and gallerist Robert Diament. These unabashed art lovers use their show to discuss trends in contemporary art and their experiences collecting work. It could be pretentious. Spoiler: it isn’t. Tovey and Diament demystify the art world without critiquing it ad nauseum. In fact, it’s clear that both men venerate artists and enjoy supporting emerging talent.
Tovey and Diament have natural rapport, making their interviews with artists and gallerists interesting, rather than alienating. If you’re keen to learn more about today’s art scene — especially in London — this podcast should be your next listen.
The Lonely Palette is a cult art podcast that aims to make the subject accessible to everyone by rejecting the idea that art history is elitist. Sure, college courses in art are often filled with gap year kids that smell like daddy’s money, but the appeal of podcasting is that these resources are free and ungated.
The Lonely Palette is hosted by Tamar Avishai, a smooth-voiced art fanatic who provides detailed descriptions of classic and modern artworks that transcends the audio format. By focusing on historical facts and visual elements, Avishai ensures that everyone can appreciate a work, regardless of their academic background. The Lonely Palette has loyal listeners for a reason. After numerous seasons, it has become a comprehensive art course in its own right. What art movement will your start with?
For decades, the name Ana Mendieta didn’t mean much to your average art fan. Her suspicious death in 1985 and subsequent vanishing from the history of 20th century art is one of the great injustices of the industry. But things are changing. Mendieta’s name is now well surfaced. A recent article in The New York Times hinted of a biopic of the artist’s life in the works — and of the ethical implications.
The resurgence of interest in Mendieta is due in part to a podcast that straddles the art and true crime genres. Death of an Artist is an investigative series hosted by Helen Molesworth that explores the life — and possible murder — of the radical artist. Why was there so much silence around her death? Is there evidence that her husband, the artist Carl Andre, was involved in her horrific fall from their apartment window?
Death of an Artist confronts the art world’s reluctance to address Mendieta’s death and the implications for her legacy. Her art was never easy to understand. Neither were her last moments. Molesworth delivers an excellent series that shows the connection between these two forms of erasure, and asks if we are willing to forgive a man’s actions for the sake of his art.
Are We on Air? is an interview podcast on the pulse of contemporary art. But it covers more than visual artists. Arman Naféei talks to key figures in global culture, including musicians, designers, and writers. As an interviewer, Naféei is calm, polite, and intelligent. With so many pugnacious hosts these days, his style is like a cool glass of water.
Another factor in the show’s success is its variety. Naféei’s guests are geuinely interesting and represent the best of their field. Recent episodes with Sir Paul Smith and Luke Edward Hall will make you want to pick up a pencil and create something new. You have been warned.
Are We on Air? is an underplayed gem in the art podcast category. For those seeking effortless cool — you know, the people who wish they’d been around to hang out in The Factory — this is a show to devour.
¤
Alice Florence Orr is a staff writer and editor for Podcast Review. She is based in Edinburgh. You can connect with her on Twitter or read her work on aliceflorenceorr.com.