Women artists in the spotlight
Artists, folk musicians and the victim of a creepy cult leader share their stories in this week’s podcast recommendations
GREAT WOMEN ARTISTS
KATY HESSEL’S irrepressible enthusiasm has brought the often overlooked work of women artists into the spotlight, firstly through her Instagram account and now through her podcast of the same name.
Episodes are a mix of experts talking about great, dead artists – check out The Miniaturist author Jessie Burton on Frida Kahlo from her home filled with items covered in the Mexican portrait painter’s face – and interviews with those alive today. Maggi Hambling, Lee Miller, Shirley Baker and Louise Bourgeois are just a few of the names on the enormous list of artists covered by the podcast so far.
Katy’s obvious passion for the subject fires up her interviewees, but she also knows when to sit back and let them speak.
Where to start: Katy’s chat with Lubaina Himid gives real insight into the activism behind the Preston-born artist’s work as a trailblazer of the Black Arts movement. Plus she has a great sense of humour. Where to find it: On all the usual podcast apps and you can see the work discussed on Instagram as @thegreatwomenartists and at thegreatwomenartists.com
GASLIGHT
DANNY knocks on the door of an old schoolfriend’s house eight years after she disappeared into a mysterious cult.
The 10-episode fiction podcast, written and directed by Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, slowly unravels her reasons for leaving through the two women’s conversations and recordings of ‘therapy sessions’ with charismatic but creepy cult leader Ben.
Chloë Grace Moretz, (Greta, Carrie, The
Little Mermaid) stars as Danny in this intriguing show that ends on a cliffhanger, leaving fans hoping for a sequel.
Where to start: At the beginning.
Where to find it: On the usual podcast apps.