Art Cast
Series 5 Episode 6: John Costi
Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of topics some people might find triggering including suicide, and rape.
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.
In this episode we are joined by John Costi, a multidisciplinary artist whose life and work epitomises resilience, creativity, and community engagement. Born in 1987 and raised in London, John draws upon his Cypriot and Irish heritage to inform his art, which spans sculpture, installation, painting, and performance. His work critically examines themes of upbringing, class, and masculinity, often inviting audiences to become active participants in the artistic experience.
John's journey into the art world is both profound and inspiring. While serving a 6 year sentence at HM Young Offender Institution Feltham, he encountered Koestler Arts—the UK's leading prison arts charity. This engagement marked the beginning of a transformative path: from a participant in prison art programs to a mentee, scholar, arts worker, judge, and eventually, co-curator of Koestler Arts' annual exhibition at the Southbank Centre last December, which I saw and was absolutely fantastic.
In 2022, John earned an MA in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins and was selected for the South London Gallery's post-graduate residency program. He now operates from his studio on his Residency at Somerset House, continuing to create art that challenges hierarchies of art experience and fosters community dialogue.
The South London Gallery stated on Costi’s work; Costi’s work is rooted in healing and transformation. Using play and conversation to create artworks that bring people together and form social connections, he often takes found objects to create sculptures and installations, a practice he refers to as ‘Culture-Mating’. He uses spoken word in his practice, and also creates characters and environments that draw on his personal heritage and experiences growing up to celebrate London’s traditions and histories
Costi also heads crime diversion groups in probations and prisons.
You can learn more about his work at www.johncostiart.com
Art Cast
Series 5 Episode 5: Stefanie Posavec
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.
In this episode we are joined by Designer, Stefanie Posavec. Stefanie is a London-based information designer specializing in non-traditional representations of data, turning complex information into intuitive, artistic, and often hand-drawn visual experiences.
Born in 1981, she studied Graphic Design at Colorado State University before earning a Master of Arts in Communication Design from Central Saint Martins in London. It was during her time at CSM that she discovered her passion for using data as a design material.
Art Cast
Series 5 Episode 4: Lindsey Mendick
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.
In this episode we're looking into the world of Lindsey Mendick, an artist from London who is now based in Margate who makes ceramic sculptures and immersive installations.
Lindsey's work intertwines personal narratives with elements of the everyday and the extraordinary. Lindsey's installations often feature hand-built ceramics, stained glass, and performance elements, creating environments that invite viewers into her world. Through her art, she offers a form of catharsis, encouraging reflection on personal experiences and the shared human condition.
Art Cast
Series 5 Episode 3: Katja Novitskova
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.
In today’s episode, we are joined by Katja Novitskova. Born in Tallinn, Estonia, Katja Novitskova is an installation artist whose work investigates how media shapes our understanding of the world. One of her most significant achievements was representing Estonia at the 57th Venice Biennale in 2017 with her exhibition If Only You Could See What I’ve Seen with Your Eyes. The project examined the intersections of big data, vision, and ecological crisis, highlighting the ways in which technology mediates our understanding of the environment.
Art Cast
Series 5 Episode 2: David Stewart
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.
In today's episode we are joined by Photographer and Director, David Stewart. We are also accompanied by Suu-ki Coward, from the third year of our Fine Art Degree.
David Stewart is a British photographer and director known for his surreal and often humorous large-format portraits. His career began photographing tourists on Morecambe promenade and capturing punk bands like The Clash and The Ramones as they performed at local venues.
Art Cast
Series 5 Episode 1: Steven Gee
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London – Chelsea Centre.
In today’s episode, we are joined by artist and Director of Piccalilli Gallery, Steven Gee. We also have a student from our Fine Art Degree, Kirsten Newbigging, who is currently in her second year with us. Kirsten will be presenting her exhibition at The Washroom Gallery, a space we created by converting a toilet in our studios into an artist-run exhibition space. Steven visited our studios before this podcast to discuss Kirsten’s work in the Washroom Gallery, a particularly relevant parallel, as he himself runs Piccalilli, an artist-led initiative supporting artists.
Art Cast
Series 4 Episode 10: Stuart Semple
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.
In today's episode, we are joined by artist, Activist, hero of democratising exciting art materials… Stuart Semple! We also have a couple of students guesting from our HNC Fine Art, Christine Tayor and Kirsten Newbigging.
Stuart Semple is a British artist whose practice spans painting, sculpture, technology, and activism. His work delves into sociopolitical themes such as youth politics, accessibility, and democracy, reflecting a deep engagement with societal issues.
Art Cast
Series 4 Episode 9: Mark Titchner
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.
In today's episode, we are joined by artist Mark Titchner, and we have a student guesting from our HNC Fine Art, Ekaterina Egorushkina.
Mark Titchner studied at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and his acclaim soared when he was nominated for the Turner Prize in 2006, a testament to his exploration of words and language within the realm of art. His installations, often nestled within the public domain, serve as beacons of introspection and communal dialogue, inviting viewers to immerse themselves.
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.
In today's episode, we are honoured to have a remarkable artist joining us, Leonardo Anker Vandal, whose work dives deep into the human experience, transforming early experiences of personal trauma into a highly personal and poetic visual language.
Lucas Bartholomew-Good (HNC Fine Art)
Art Cast
Series 4 Episode 7: Neville Brody
In today's episode, we are joined by Neville Brody for a chat following his Penny Lecture here at Morley College. Neville Brody is a master in the realm of graphic design, typography, and art direction, his creative journey continuing to leave a distinct mark on the world of visual communication. Brody's influence extends beyond print media, as he ventured into diverse domains such as digital design, multimedia, branding and designing iconic publications such as The Times.
As an educator, Brody's legacy endures through his tenure as the professor of the School of Communication at the Royal College of Art, London, where he nurtures the next generation of design visionaries.
Art Cast
Series 4 Episode 6: Mat Collishaw
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.
In today's episode, we explore the work of Mat Collishaw and are joined by our HNC Fine Art student Lucas Bartholomew-Good. Mat is an English artist based in London. His art primarily involves photography and video, with notable works such as "Bullet Hole," which gained acclaim during its display at the Freeze exhibition in 1988. As one of Collishaw's most recognized pieces, "Bullet Hole" (1988), featured a striking close-up photograph appearing to resemble a bullet wound on a person's scalp, intriguingly presented on 15 light boxes bringing a beauty and almost stained glass window aesthetic.
Collishaw's artistic repertoire spans a mesmerizing array of optical illusions, paintings, dynamic projections, and kinetic sculptures. Each creation serves as more than just a visual spectacle; they act as portals to introspection, prompting contemplation on fundamental aspects of psychology, history, and science. Beneath the surface allure and vibrant aesthetics of Collishaw's pieces lies a profound exploration.
Art Cast
Series 4 Episode 5: Juno Calypso
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre. For this episode, Matt is joined by Juno Calypso.
Juno Calypso is a British photographer known for her distinctive self-portraits, her work is a powerful exploration of feminism, isolation, loneliness, and self-sufficiency. In addition to her personal work, Calypso also makes her mark as a commercial photographer. In 2016, she was a joint winner of the British Journal of Photography International Photography Award. Two years later, she received the prestigious Vic Odden Award from the Royal Photographic Society. Working solo, Calypso has crafted highly stylized photographs of herself while adopting the persona of "Joyce," a fictional alter-ego. These self-portraits take place in surreal storytelling settings. Her self-portraits as "Joyce" are the cornerstone of her work, portraying a "bored, frustrated, lonely housewife of her imagination." These images transport us to unfamiliar and over-the-top landscapes, providing a commentary on the restrictive aspects of femininity and societal expectations.
Calypso's work explores the rituals of seduction and the pursuit of a "perfect vision of oneself." One of her noteworthy series, "The Honeymoon," features her alone in American couples-only honeymoon resorts. This collection exudes a sense of claustrophobia, blending frustration with loneliness, as noted by critics. Calypso has aptly commented on her own work, highlighting her intention to critique the construction of femininity. She once said, "I used to take pictures of Joyce as a way of making a critique on the laboured construction of femininity, but now I’m starting to see that the problem isn’t the make-up and bizarre body improvement devices, but the way society treats women who invest so deeply in their appearance." You can check out her work at the Welcome Collection in the Cult of beauty exhibition on to 28th April, 2024.
Art Cast
Series 4 Episode 4: Harrison and Wood
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre. For this episode, Matt is joined by Harrison and Wood.
John Wood, and Paul Harrison crossed paths while studying at the Bath College of Higher Education and have been partners since 1993. Wood and Harrison are renowned for their video works featuring minimalist performances that delve into themes of tragedy, comedy, and irony. Their art is a profound exploration of the physical constraints, scale, and movement of the human body in relation to meticulously crafted environments.
You can check out Wood and Harrisons work on their website at harrisonandwood.com
Art Cast
Series 4 Episode 3: Alfie Dwyer
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre. For this episode, Matt is joined by Alife Dwyer.
Alfie Dwyer creates short, surreal journeys into bizarre and visually stunning realms. His inspiration often stems from lucid dreaming, and he views his videos as quick glimpses into these fleeting dreamscapes. Describing his work, he identifies himself as a multimedia artist, animator, and filmmaker, with a primary focus on the human body, the digital realm, and dark humour. Alfie collaborates with a diverse set of top-tier clients, spanning various genres, including notable names such as Adult Swim, musician Thundercat, Weirdcore for Aphex Twin, and comedian Eric Andre. As a huge Aphex Twin myself, I’m incredibly excited to discuss the work Alfie did for his Field Day performance last year.
Alfie Dwyer's impressive portfolio features his work in Image Breakers and It's Nice That, showcasing his creative talents and innovative approach. He has served as a Board member at Rising Arts Agency from 2019 to 2022, demonstrating his commitment to the arts and his active involvement in fostering the growth of emerging talents and creativity.
You can check out Alfie Dwyer’s work on his website
Art Cast
Series 4 Episode 2: Misha Notley
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre. For this episode, Matt is joined by Misha Notley.
Misha was Born in the bustling metropolis of Tokyo and later raised in Manchester. She has cultivated a unique perspective that transcends borders and cultures. Currently, Misha lives and works in London, where she channels her creativity into a very multi-disciplinary practice.
Misha's work delves deep into the intricate web of social, economic, and political systems that shape our contemporary cultural landscape. Misha's designs are characterised by their speculative and future-oriented nature. They invite us to question the very foundations of our world and to imagine alternative, often absurd, possibilities.
Where neoliberal work culture can feel unrelenting, where online hyper-representation blurs the lines of reality, and where the commodification of the self has become the norm, Misha's art serves as a thought-provoking mirror, reflecting the idiosyncrasies of our time.
Misha has recently exhibited her work at prestigious events such as the Madrid Digital Arts Festival and the London Design Festival. Her work has been featured in the thought-provoking pages of Nowadays Journal, and she has graced the pages of Bricks magazine.
You can check out her work on her website, at https://mishanotley.com
Art Cast
Series 4 Episode 1: Sarah Morris
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre. For this episode, Matt is joined by Sarah Morris.
Sarah Morris is an accomplished artist whose work spans the mediums of painting and film. Born in Sevenoaks, Kent, in south-east England, Morris has established herself as a prominent figure in the art world.
Morris's educational journey took her to prestigious institutions such as Brown University, Cambridge University, and the Independent Study Program of the Whitney Museum of American Art. Her dedication to her craft was recognised when she became a Berlin Prize fellow at the American Academy in Berlin and received the Joan Mitchell Foundation painting award.
Blending her passion for painting and film, Morris sees these two art forms as interconnected. Throughout her career, she has explored various styles and techniques. In her earlier works, she experimented with geometric Modernist grid designs, utilising flat planes of colour. Another notable series focused on glass-faced skyscrapers, incorporating geometric landscape designs reflected in their facades. Additionally, Morris delved into screen-prints, word-paintings, and even painted representations of shoes.
In her films, Morris captures the essence of both individuals and cities, delving into their psychology and essence. Whether it's depicting urban scenes in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Rio or providing an individual's perspective on significant events or industries, Morris's films provide unique insights into the architecture, politics, industry, and leisure that define a particular place.
Sarah Morris's artistic prowess has been recognized worldwide, with solo exhibitions held in renowned institutions such as Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin, Palais de Tokyo in Paris, Fondation Beyeler in Basel and Museum für Moderne Kunst in Frankfurt.
Art Cast
Series 3 Episode 7: Cey Adams
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre. For this episode Matt is joined by graffiti artist Cey Adams from New York and student Emma Allan from Morley College London's Chelsea Centre HNC in Fine Art.
Cey Adams is a graffiti artist who began from the late 70s to the early 80s. He attended the School of Visual Arts in New York, and his work was exhibited alongside Jean Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. In 1982, he was featured in the PBS documentary Style Wars about subway graffiti in New York. In 1983, he formed a close relationship with the Beastie Boys and designed their 12" single cover for Cooky Puss. He also worked with Russell Simmons' Rush Artist Management to create logos, tour merchandising, and advertising campaigns for rap artists. In the late 80s, Adams and his partner Steve Carr co-founded The Drawing Board, an in-house visual design firm for Def Jam Recordings that oversaw the visual style of their artists. Adams went on to create corporate advertising campaigns for companies such as Levi's, Nike, HBO, Coca-Cola, Burton Snowboards, Moët & Chandon, Comedy Central, HBO, and Warner Bros.
Cey Adams has had a long, successful career as a designer and artist, creating logos and branding for many different companies and music artists including the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Jay Z and Mary J Blige. He was the founding Creative Director of Def Jam Records.
Having previously designed clothes for Run DMC for Adidas, in 2006 he was commissioned to design his own custom track suits and sneakers featuring Beastie Boys. He was also commissioned to do a mural for the National Urban League conference and the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, and collaborated with Brooklyn Arts Council in 2015. He also did a project with photographer Janette Beckman and created a limited edition run of 500 clothing pieces for the launch of Levi's new store in Times Square. His work is known for its themes of pop culture, race and gender relations, and cultural and community issues.
Art Cast
Series 3 Episode 6: Laure Prouvost
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.
For this episode Matt is joined by Turner Prize Winner Laure Prouvost and students Liz Thomas and Steve Harrison from Morley College London's Chelsea Centre HNC in Fine Art.
In 2013 Laure won the Turner Prize with an installation titled Wantee and in 2019 she represented France at the Venice Bienalle with a piece called The Deep Blue Sea Surrounding you. The exhibition was based on the decentralised nervous system of an octopus. Various sculptures, sounds, dances, performances and lighting are connected throughout the pavilion in a tentacle-like fashion. A diverse group of performers from all over the world, such as a magician, singer, rapper and karate practitioner, are part of a film that follows a road trip from Grigny (a suburb of Paris) to Venice. The film is described by Prouvost as "the head of the octopus" as the performers take the audience through the canals of Venice.
She has previously exhibited at the Tate Modern and the Institute for Contemporary Arts. In 2011 in collaboration with the Whitechapel Gallery she was awarded the MaxMara Art Prize for Women.
Art Cast
Series 3 Episode 5: Matthew Stone
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.
For this episode Matt is joined by artists Matthew Stone and students Laura Leon Batista from Morley College London's Chelsea Centre Access to HE in Art and Design.
Matthew Stone graduated from Camberwell College of Arts, London in 2004. He currently stages performances and films. In 2007, his first solo show, entitled "Futurehindsight", took place at UNION in London. In November 2009, Stone topped the arts section in a "Power players Under 30" list compiled by the Sunday Times.
His most recent show was at Union London in 2022, the show included a combination of artworks on linen, sculptures created with 3D printing, and handmade wooden furniture. His work incorporated the use of AI for the first time and explored how the repeating of images across different forms can create a unique visual language. Drawing inspiration from artists like Henri Matisse and Roy Lichtenstein, Stone had inserted representations of his own existing artworks into his works. He had also taken this concept a step further by including depictions of his AI-assisted paintings in three large scale linen canvases, and has also made physical versions of these AI paintings to display in the gallery.
Stone frequently collaborates with FKA Twigs and created the album artwork for 2019's Magdalene. This is one of my favourite LPs’ at home and I have to say that the artwork is re-produced beautifully with ultra high definition print quality.
Check out his work at Matthewstone.co.uk
Art Cast
Series 3 Episode 4: Faile
Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.
For this episode Matt is joined by collaborative pair Faile; Patrick Mcneil and Patrick Miller. Student Karen Mulville from the Access to HE in Art and Design will also joining the conversation.
Faile’s work consists predominantly of painting and printmaking, and they show a range of work from sculpture, paintings to large scale murals, stencils and even prayer wheels. They work on the street and within museums and galleries, using culturally driven iconography and critique on Capitalism and Consumerism.
Notable exhibitions include at the Tate Modern in 2008 a massive 240-square-foot image of a Native American in full regalia amidst a shredded collage of pulp images and found signage affixed to the Tate's exterior. Temple in 2010, which was a full scale church in ruins in Lisbon,Tower of Faile, a 40 foot tower of wooden blocks combined with screenprints and painted imagery - a collaboration with the New York Ballet School, which was displayed at the Lincoln Centre for Performing Arts.
A 2015 major retrospective at the Brooklyn Museum which featured a return of the Temple from Lisbon. combined with large scale marble sculptures. Wishing on you in 2015, a seven foot high kinetic sculpture in New York's Time Square.
You can find art courses at Morley College London's Chelsea Centre here