Late to the Party with This Fabulous Art Podcast
The Great Women Artists is an art podcast produced by women dedicated to talking to, and about, women in the art industry.
How Did I Find Such a Gem?
I came across The Great Women Artists Podcast quite by accident one day when I was looking for inspiration. Podcasts are my background noise of choice while I’m painting. I like to immerse myself in the atmosphere of my studio to keep myself focussed – TV takes me out of that headspace and, although I am a voracious listener of music*, it’s not quite enough to keep the little gremlin in my head that tells me I can’t do it occupied while I work. So podcasts are the perfect way to keep myself sane.
I’d worked my way through my playlist and was on the hunt for new material to consume, on the day I found The Great Women Artists Podcast. I was ill with kidney stones and had begun my foray into digital painting at the time so I’d been stuck on the sofa in a painkiller fuzz for hours and feeling a bit sorry for myself. What I was actually searching for was British women in general, because one of my favourite motivators is hearing intelligent and funny female voices coming in my ear holes. But when the bold, peach podcast cover popped up on my search screen, I thought: “Oh wow… why didn’t I think of this before?” Because until that point, I had never thought to listen to an art podcast at all. For someone who has been an artist for over twenty years, that’s probably a bit shocking, really. It’s just never occurred to me. But here was the answer to the problem I didn’t even know I had. A podcast by women about women in the artworld, the art they collect and the art they create. What’s not to love?
I immediately subscribed and realised that I was late to the party. This podcast began in 2019, has clocked up 8 seasons, and is now on its 102nd episode. I am trailing behind and just about to finish season one, but I’ve loved every single episode that I’ve binged so far. Most podcasts get better over time, and this one is so bloody good from the off, that I can only imagine it’s absolute gold by now. It’s lived through pestilence, war, famine and it’s come out the other side giving Death the finger.
What's It All About?
The Great Women Artists is an art podcast dedicated to interviewing various women in the art industry. And quite high-profile ones at that. Whether it’s curators, artists or collectors, host Katy Hessle, does a deep dive into the work in question, weaving stories around each piece in a way that makes you love even the art you thought you detested.
It kicks off with guest host Eleanor Nairne, curator of the Barbican in London. They discuss the frenetic and wonderfully textural work of Lee Krasner, wife of Jackson Pollock (and, in my humble opinion, a much more talented artist. Controversial, I know). But it’s not all fine art. They talk to Es Devlin, a name I’d never heard before, but whose wonderful installations of light and reflection have me spellbound. And then there’s the incredible photographer, Juno Calypso – a retro self-portrait artist that creates incredible and surreal works in 50s pastels. Prior to this, I knew Calypso’s work only because it’s so striking, but didn’t know the woman or the story behind any of it. She talks about her trip to the US and how her most well-known work came to be.
This is an art podcast that is truly inspiring. Giving women in the art world, whether past or present, a platform to talk about the works they love. It completely removes the pomposity associated with art and art collection, which is something the world is desperately in need of. Anything that makes the art industry more accessible to anyone other than the super snobby and super rich is a win, in my book.
Who Is Katy Hessle?
Katy Hessle is an art historian, collector and curator. She also has a book out called The Story of Art Without Men, which is a look into 500 years of art by women. It won Waterstones’ book of the year in 2022. She has been interviewed by the BBC and appeared in Forbes 30 under 30 in Arts & Culture in 2021. She’s basically a bad-ass powerhouse of a woman #LifeGoals
You can follow Katy on Instagram @katy.hessle
Where Can You Listen to this Podcast?
You can listen to this podcast on any podcatcher of your choice. I found this while searching on Overcast, but I also subscribe via RSS Radio. And then there’s the usual – Apple, Spotify, Stitcher… wherever you fancy. It’s completely free and not chock full of annoying ads. Which is pretty generous considering the quality of the content and guests.
FOOTNOTES
* Last year, I listened to 125,174 hours of music, according to Spotify. Yes, I shout about my unwrapped and I don’t care who hears. Zeal and Ardor clocked in at number one for the fourth year running. And then it was pretty much metal, metal, metal, metal, blues, soul, classical… [curveball] SNAP! Rhythm is a Dancer. Because… 90s dance, apparently.
Purchasing My Art and Prints
You can purchase my art direct from me, or you can head over to Saatchi and see what works I have exclusively through the art gallery.
I also offer free zoom appointments for people who want to view their art from all angles before they buy. Buying art is an investment, so you have to be completely secure before you spend a penny. Contact me to book a viewing and watch the video below to find out more.
Find my artwork in all sizes, in all formats and on all merch at Redbubble
Luxury framed or canvas prints are available from Saatchi.