My Favourite Work of Art

My Favourite Work of Art

Have you got a favourite painting? How does it make you feel? Each week art historian and writer Dr Laura-Jane Foley invites a well known guest to share an artwork that has a special meaning for them. This series focuses on the emotional power of art. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

December 1, 2019 17 mins

In this episode Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets singer songwriter Dana Gillespie. Dana chooses a painting entitled ‘My Wife’s Lovers’ - a painting commissioned by wealthy, American philanthropist Kate Birdsall Johnson of 42 of her Persian and Angora cats. Painted by Austrian artist Carl Kahler (1856 - 1906) it has been described as the “world’s greatest painting of cats”.


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In this episode Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets the star of 'Strictly Come Dancing' and 'Judge Rinder' writer and barrister Robert Rinder. Robert chooses 'The Dog' by Spanish painter and printmaker Francisco Goya (1746 - 1828). Describing this haunting image as “profound and beautiful” Robert reveals a deeply emotional response to the artwork.


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October 1, 2019 19 mins

In this episode Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets John Mitchinson author, publishing guru and head of research for the hit BBC show QI. John chooses 'The Ghost of a Flea’ (1819/20) a small work on mahogany by English poet, painter and printmaker William Blake (1757 -1827). Knowledgable and engaging, John discusses Blake’s interest in seances and the supernatural and reveals the unusual way the work came to be painted.


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June 23, 2019 18 mins

In this episode Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets the internationally best-selling author Sophie Hannah. Sophie discusses a painting entitled ‘Esbjorn Doing His Homework’ (1912) by Swedish painter Carl Larsson (1853 -1919). Sophie also reveals her unusual fascination with paintings which feature a red chair.

 

To comment on the show please write to @laurajanefoley on Twitter and use the hashtag #MyFavouriteWorkOfArt

 

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June 9, 2019 19 mins

In this episode Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets musician, composer and conductor Stephen Barlow. Stephen chooses 'The Almonry’ (1925) an etching by F.L Griggs (1876 - 1938). Stephen discusses the differences between art and music; sight and sound and how his interest in art was awakened by his wife Joanna Lumley.


To comment on the show please write to @laurajanefoley on Twitter and use the hashtag #MyFavouriteWorkOfArt


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May 26, 2019 14 mins

In this episode Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets psychologist, author and broadcaster Dr Linda Papadopoulos. Linda chooses a “Bo-men” artwork by the Belgian ceramicist Daisy Boman (b. 1948). In an interesting chat about psychology, art and our perceptions – Linda reveals how art can be a mirror to both our internal and external worlds.

 

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In this episode Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets Bill Thompson - a technology writer and broadcaster. Bill chooses 'Pulse Room' (2006) by the Mexican-Canadian electronic artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer (b.1967). In this lively chat Bill discusses the increasing and varying use of technology in contemporary art and explores the boundaries between playful technology and art.

 

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April 28, 2019 19 mins

In this episode Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets Shamim Sarif an award-winning novelist, screenwriter and director. Shamim chooses a painting she first encountered as a university student in Boston - ‘El Jaleo’ (1882) a painting by the Impressionist painter John Singer Sargent (1856- 1925).


To comment on the show please write to @laurajanefoley on Twitter and use the hashtag #MyFavouriteWorkOfArt

 

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April 14, 2019 31 mins

In this extended episode Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets the highly acclaimed actor Russell Tovey. Russell chooses ‘Night Fishing in Antibes’ (1939) by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973) and explains how a real-life encounter with the artwork had a profound effect on him.


In this wide-ranging and engaging chat, which also covers Russell’s love of animation, Ad Reinhardt, the Young British Artists and how he has built his own a...

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March 31, 2019 19 mins

In this episode Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets musician and music producer Andy Gill – a founding member and guitarist for the English rock group Gang of Four. Andy chooses 'Le Déjeuner dans l'atelier’ (1868) by French painter Édouard Manet (1832- 1883). 'Le Déjeuner dans l’atelier’ is a painting which Andy believes has a direct line to the present day and informs us about the world we’re living in today.

  

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March 17, 2019 18 mins

In this episode Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets Jo Good the hugely popular radio presenter on BBC London, actress and presenter. Jo chooses ‘Old Woman Saying Grace’ also known as ‘The Prayer Without End’ painted around 1656 by the Dutch Golden Age painter Nicolaes Maes (1634 - 1693). Jo explains the deeply personal reasons behind her choice of painting.



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March 3, 2019 15 mins

In this episode Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets Paola Diana the best-selling author, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Paola chooses the iconic painting the ‘Mona Lisa’ (c.1503-6) by the Italian Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519).


To comment on the show please write to @laurajanefoley on Twitter and use the hashtag #MyFavouriteWorkOfArt

 

Presented and produced by Dr Laura-Jane Foley

Recorded and edited at Wise...

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February 17, 2019 19 mins

In this episode Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets Vikki Stone an award-winning comedian, actress, composer and singer. Vikki chooses to talk about Grayson Perry and the television programmes he has made for Channel 4. Vikki talks about the importance of accessibility in art, music and comedy.


To comment on the show please write to @laurajanefoley on Twitter and use the hashtag #MyFavouriteWorkOfArt


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February 3, 2019 19 mins

In this episode Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets award-winning composer, conductor and pianist Howard Blake. Howard is best known for composing the music for the much-loved Christmas classic 'The Snowman'. In a wide-ranging and fascinating chat full of revealing anecdotes, Howard chooses to talk about the art and life of English painter Ruskin Spear (1911-1990). An episode not to be missed!


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January 20, 2019 16 mins

In the first episode of the second series Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets the award-winning broadcaster and sports journalist Jim Rosenthal. Jim chooses 'View from Cookham Bridge' (1936) - an oil painting by the English painter Stanley Spencer (1891-1959). Jim reveals a keen interest and knowledge about Spencer which has developed over the past thirty years living in the same town as the late painter.


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January 13, 2019 45 secs

Happy New Year! My Favourite Work of Art is back next week. Episodes will now be available to download on Sundays.


To comment on the show please write to @laurajanefoley on Twitter and use the hashtag #MyFavouriteWorkOfArt


Presented and produced by Dr Laura-Jane Foley

Recorded and edited at Wisebuddah, London

Title Music - 'Blue' from Colours by Dimitri Scarlato.


Hosted on Acast. See...

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November 12, 2018 2 mins

Artworks can elicit strong emotions and be powerful reminders of a lost time. In this series writer and art historian Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets some of Britain’s best-known personalities and uncovers the stories and passions behind her guests' favourite works of art.


Thank you for listening to series one of My Favourite Work of Art. Listen to this trailer to find out about episodes you may have missed and hear exclusive news abo...

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November 5, 2018 19 mins

In this episode Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets human rights campaigner, writer and broadcaster Peter Tatchell. Peter chooses the powerful anti-war masterpiece ‘Guernica’ (1937) by Spanish painter Pablo Picasso (1881-1973). Peter describes how the painting arouses "our emotions to stand in solidarity with the victims of war.” In a fascinating conversation, Peter also reveals how creativity is central to his life from his early begin...

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October 29, 2018 19 mins

In this episode Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets artist Anita Klein who talks about the 'Madonna del Parto' (1457) by Italian Renaissance painter Piero della Francesca (c.1415 - 1492). Anita, whose own work explores the personal and private spheres, chooses an iconic painting which depicts the inner female experience. It is, Anita tells us, a painting she wishes she had painted.


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October 22, 2018 15 mins

In this episode Dr Laura-Jane Foley meets opera singer Allan Clayton. Allan picks 'The Garden of Earthly Delights' (1490-1510) by the early Netherlandish painter Hieronymus Bosch (c.1450 - 1516) - a painting he describes as a 'glamorous dartboard!' Allan encountered the large triptrych oil painting on a visit to the Prado Museum in Madrid whilst singing in a production at the Teatro Real.


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