Great Art Explained (aka James Payne)

In this week's episode of Behind the Seen, Carrie Scott sits down with the art world's favourite YouTuber and art educator: James Payne from Great Art Explained.

What happens when a self-proclaimed "worst artist in history" becomes one of the world's most beloved art educators? Meet James Payne, the mastermind behind Great Art Explained - the YouTube channel that's quietly revolutionized how we think about art.

In this conversation, James reveals the beautifully accidental journey that led him from giving tours to North American students to creating 15-minute videos that have captivated nearly 2 million followers. We dive into his "sleepy voice" that sends people to sleep (and he loves it), why he never shows his face on camera, and how a tweet from Stephen Fry changed everything.

But this isn't just about YouTube success - it's about democratizing art. James breaks down his mission to make art accessible to everyone, from art experts to "that 15-year-old boy in Wisconsin" he keeps in mind with every video. No art speak, no gatekeeping, just pure passion translated into the clearest, most compelling language possible.

We explore the myths James debunks in his new book - from Georgia O'Keeffe's flowers (spoiler: Stieglitz was the problem) to Rodin's factory-made sculptures, and why Monet getting France's first speeding ticket actually matters for understanding his work. Plus, the three-year research journey that nearly broke him but resulted in something he's never been more proud of.

This is a masterclass in turning expertise into accessibility, following your gut, and proving that the best educators aren't always academics - sometimes they're passionate tour guides who stumbled into something extraordinary during lockdown.

Perfect for: Art lovers, educators, content creators, anyone who's ever felt intimidated by the art world, and people who believe culture should be for everyone.

Featured: James Payne's new book "Great Art Explained: How to Look at Art and Understand It" - out October 2nd (UK) / October 14th (US & worldwide)

Grab your copy: https://amzn.to/4nLZFzp

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About Behind The Seen

TheBehind The Seen Series brings on art world professionals of all sorts to give you insight into what the art world is really like. Curious what it’s like being a gallerist, an art critic or a curator? Then this series is for you.