How Does the Art World Work?

How do you build a career in the art world when your journey starts somewhere completely different? In this episode of  How Does the Art World Work? , hosts Matt Nasser, Claudia Doring Baez, and Bartholomew Bland sit down with  John Volk , artist and Director of Continuing Studies at the New York Academy of Art, to discuss his remarkable path from stockbroker to painter, educator, and mentor. John...

Live from Future Fair, hosts Matt Nasser, Claudia Baez, and Bartholomew Bland sit down with artist and Good Naked Gallery founder Jacqueline Cedar to explore the rise of expressive painting, the growing overlap between fine art and collectible design, and why functional objects, from chairs to lighting, are becoming an increasingly important part of contemporary artistic practice. How Does the Art...

Recorded live from Miami Beach during Miami Art Week, this episode of How Does the Art World Work? explores the evolving dynamics of art fairs, visibility, and value in an Instagram driven era. Claudia Baez, Matt Nasser, and Bartholomew Bland reflect on their experiences across NADA, Art Basel, Art Miami, and satellite fairs, discussing trends they observed including surrealism, primitivist and ju...

In this episode of How Does the Art World Work? , hosts Matt Nasser and Claudia Baez welcome two special guests from Mexico’s Galleria HGZ: Luis Piña, and Jorge Gutierrez. With Bart away opening a new triennial, the conversation explores how the art world is evolving across New York, Mexico City, and beyond. The group examines the rise of small-format artwork, the challenges galleries face in a ti...

In this deeply personal episode, artist Claudia Baez sits down with her gallerist Martin Friedrichs to reflect on her latest exhibition, My Brother’s Mind , which was showing in Tribeca. Together with co-hosts Matt Nasser and Bartholomew Bland, they discuss Claudia’s creative process, the emotional journey behind working with her late brother’s photographs, and how an unsettling film from their yo...

In this episode of How Does the Art World Work Claudia Baez, Matt Nasser, and Bartholomew Bland sit down inside the Lehman College Art Gallery to talk about Incandescence The Chandelier in Contemporary Art which was curated by Bart himself. Recorded during the final week of the show, the conversation dives into the ten year process of bringing it to life, what defines a chandelier, and how artists...

In this episode, we sit down with Anssi Vallius from the Consulate General of Finland in New York to explore Remix the Archive, a groundbreaking generative art exhibition currently on view at Dunkunsthalle. The exhibition features finalist works from the international Combine24 competition, where artists used the Finnish National Gallery’s open-access collection to create new digital artworks thro...

In one jam-packed episode, Claudia, Matt, and Bart journey through two of the art world's most prominent fairs. Beginning at Zona Maco in Mexico City, Claudia showcases her paintings and offers on-the-spot portraits from a mobile cart, while Matt provides candid critiques of the diverse artworks on display. The trio then transitions to Frieze New York, where Bart joins in person. Together, they na...

In this episode of How Does the Art World Work? , we sit down with Saralinda Lichtblau to explore a life shaped by art, education, and performance. From her childhood memories in MoMA’s sculpture garden to acting Off-Broadway and eventually leading educational initiatives at the Hudson River Museum, Saralinda’s story is one of passion, purpose, and creative evolution. She shares how a chance intro...

In this episode, artist Jessica Stoller invites us inside her powerful solo exhibition Split , on view at New York’s PPOW Gallery. Through meticulously crafted porcelain sculptures, she explores themes of bodily autonomy, feminism, aging, and the tension between beauty and the grotesque. Stoller discusses the personal and political forces that shaped the work—from the overturning of Roe v. Wade to...

In this episode of How Does the Art World Work?, we chat with artist Sydney J. Cohn about their experiences navigating the art world post-graduation. Sydney shares insights into the challenges of pricing art, the importance of mentorship and community, and their journey to their first art fair. We also explore the evolving art world, from the allure of installation-style booths to the enduring deb...

The VIPs swoop in, the best art disappears, and by the weekend, the fair turns into a selfie playground—welcome to the wild world of the Miami Art Fair. Join hosts Bartholomew Bland , Matt Nasser and Claudia Baez as they take you inside the chaos: from Botox booths and collectors on the hunt to the strange social rituals of the art elite. Is collecting about passion or profit? How does the art wor...

In this episode of How Does the Art World Work?, hosts Matt Nasser, Claudia Baez, and Bartholomew Bland sit down with Lisa Panzera during Miami Art Week to discuss the evolving landscape of contemporary art. From the resurgence of figurative painting to the challenges of running a gallery, Lisa shares insights from her career spanning both the commercial and nonprofit sectors. They dive into how t...

Renowned artist Kevin Berlin joins us to discuss the hidden workings of the art world and his incredible journey as a global artist. From painting endangered crocodiles in Cambodia to reflecting on the timeless allure of Michelangelo and Picasso, Kevin shares insights into art, storytelling, and creativity. Learn how his signature top hat became part of his identity and hear about his upcoming exh...

In this episode of  How Does the Art World Work? , we sit down with Becca Hoffman, founder of 74th Arts, to uncover the evolving dynamics of the art world. From boutique art fairs in Aspen to gritty cultural events in Marseilles, Becca shares her journey of redefining how we experience art. We discuss the charm of alternative spaces, the rise of self-taught artists, and why art fairs are more like...

Join us for a deep dive into the art world with photographer and visual artist Daniel Kukla . In this episode, Daniel opens up about his unconventional journey—from studying biology to navigating New York’s vibrant yet demanding art scene. We explore his diverse creative practice, which spans everything from photojournalism and installation photography to capturing ephemeral natural elements like...

In this episode of How Does the Art World Work? , hosts Matt Nasser, Claudia Bass, and Bartholomew Bland are joined by artist and therapist Irena Kenny, who has been blending the worlds of art and therapy for nearly 20 years. Irena takes us on a journey through her early artistic training in Czechoslovakia and contrasts it with the U.S., shedding light on the differences in art education. She shar...

In this episode of "How Does the Art World Work?", hosts Matt Nasser, Bartholomew Bland, and Claudia Bias sit down with the acclaimed artist Oliver Herring. They dive into Oliver's unique approach to art, from his roots in Germany to his long-standing career in New York. Oliver shares insights into his artistic journey, including his involvement with the Armory Show, his innovative &...

In this episode of How Does the Art World Work? , we sit down with Kevin Ritter, Managing Editor of Urban Omnibus, to explore the crucial topic of accessibility in New York's cultural institutions. Kevin shares insights from his recent article and panel discussions, highlighting where accessibility in art museums is thriving and where there's still room for improvement. We delve into the d...

The team chats about everything from the Mona Lisa to Hot Rodent Men.

Guest artist Patricia Cazorla joins us to talk about what it takes to thrive in the public art space.

Bart asks about Matt and Claudia’s upcoming Photo London trip, which leads to a broader discussion about the inner workings of today’s art fairs.

We chat to artist Ernesto Renda about how social media and his time working on the other side of the gallery desk has influenced his artistic journey.

We talk to Canadian artist Jacquie Green about her journey as an artist, as well as our thoughts on new Anselm Kiefer film and the importance of studying the masters.

Bart Bland, Claudia Doring Baez and Matt Nasser introduce themselves and ponder the different aspects of the art world.