The Art Persists Podcast

In this episode, we are joined by Kurdish poet and journalist Nedim Türfent . The conversation focuses on Nedim’s recent release from prison in Turkey, where he spent 6 years and 7 months imprisoned for his journalism. We talk about his dedication to exposing Turkey’s brutal treatment of Kurdish communities which led to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment after an incredibly unfair trial. Throu...

In the episode we chat with Cuban artist and activist Tania Bruguera about her 30-year career as a pioneering artist advocating artistic freedom and human rights in Cuba and beyond. We discuss how she uses art as a tool of social change, transforming her audience into “citizens” to bring about real change. She coins the practice Arte Útil - art as a tool. We go on to discuss the systematic oppress...

In this episode, we talk to Forensic Architecture, a research agency based at Goldsmiths, University of London, renowned for investigating human rights violations globally. We speak to one of Forensic Architecture’s Lead Researchers (who will not be named), about the dire situation in Gaza since Israel’s siege began. They talk about the work they are doing to use evidence-based research to uncover...

In the Season 4 finale of the Art Persists podcast, we speak to multi & interdimensional artist Murugiah . We talk about his early life growing up in Wales, and his turn away from architecture to art. He discusses finding his unique style, combining bright, bold colours with surrealism and his Sri Lankan identity. We end talking about his wonderful commission for this year’s Refugee Week, and...

In the latest episode of the Art Persists podcast, we speak to filmmaker, curator, and member of AVAH Collective, Parwana Haydar. We discuss Parwana’s work and the Afghan artists who have influenced her the most. We then talk about her participation in AVAH Collective, connecting Afghan artists around the world and working to recall the art history of Afghanistan. AVAH’s latest exhibition, CHILDHO...

Hong Kong artist Kacey Wong joins us for the latest episode of the Art Persists podcast. We chat about his early life growing up in Hong Kong, at the time still under the control of the British. He then talks about his participation in Hong Kong’s 2014 Umbrella Movement and 2019 Anti-extradition Law Movement, using his work to connect with fellow protestors and using humour to mock and ridicule th...

In this episode, we speak to architect Sofia Karim about her work as an architect and also as an activist. She talks about her move into art-activism after the imprisonment of her uncle, the renowned photographer Shahidul Alam. Since that moment, Sofia has dedicated much of her career to art-activism, campaigning for the release of political prisoners worldwide. As always, if you are enjoying Art...

We speak to Syrian cinematographer and filmmaker, Ayman Alhussein. In the episode, we hear about his early life growing up in Syria and taking part in the revolution in 2011 before making the impossible decision to leave - first to Turkey before finally coming to the UK. We talk about the making of AYMAN and his more recent film Matar, and the importance of lived experience in filmmaking. As alway...

We are back! Launching Season 4 with a special episode recorded live during Refugee Week in collaboration with Counterpoints Arts . The conversation brought together 3 renowned artists Laura Nyahuye , Ghafar Tajmohammad , and Olga Tkachenko , together, we spoke about the place of art in mental health recovery, along with resilience and it’s limitations in each of the artists’ contexts; from addres...

In this episode, we speak to choreographer and activist Donna Miranda . Donna talks about her upbringing as a dancer and choreographer in the Philippines before transforming her practice into activism during President Rodrigo Duterte’s War on Drugs in 2016. She now works as a land activist, promoting the rights of farmers - leading to her unjust arrest in June 2022. Thank you to Donna for joining...

In this episode, we speak to Shilo Shiv Suleman , artist and founder of The Fearless Collective. Shilo describes finding her voice as a artist starting at the age of just 13, founding The Fearless Collective - working with communities across the world to create resistance through creativity, and how through the collective she visualises a fairer future. Thank you to Shilo for joining us for this e...

In this episode, we speak to Ahmed Tobasi , Artistic Director of The Freedom Theatre in the heart of Jenin Refugee Camp in Palestine. We discuss his own experience growing up under occupation and ultimately finding theatre after being imprisoned at the age of just 17. Tobasi talks about theatre as a form of resistance, uniting communities, and giving children their childhood back. Thank you to Tob...

We speak to Turkish artist, poet, and activist Ege Dündar about his experience of forced exile following the persecution of his father in Turkey, his debut poetry book, All These Things Aren’t Really Lost, and how solidarity acts as ‘medicine’ against oppression. Thank you to Ege for joining us for this episode. If you are enjoying The Art Persists Podcast, please FOLLOW, RATE, and SHARE. Only wit...

We speak to Chinese artist Badiucao. In the episode, Badiucao talks about his self-exile from China, becoming a dissident artist who uses his work to stand up to Xi Jinping’s regime and other authoritarian governments. He also draws on the ongoing threat he faces by the Chinese government, extending beyond China to Hong Kong, Australia, and the rest of the world. Thank you to Badiucao for joining...

In this episode, we speak to artist Gianluca Costantini. We talk about his expansive career - becoming a voice for political prisoners worldwide through his drawing, and telling human stories with books including Libia. Thank you to Gianluca for joining us for this episode and Elettra Stamboulis for interpreting. If you are enjoying The Art Persists Podcast, please FOLLOW, RATE, and SHARE. Only wi...

In this episode, we speak to artist eL Seed about his phenomenal career creating immense works in public spaces; from a mural on a minaret in his hometown of Gabes in Tunisia, to a vast mural across the neighbourhood of Manshiyat Nasr in Cairo. We talk about his practice and how he uses art as a way of challenging perceptions and creating unity amongst people. If you are enjoying The Art Persists...

In this episode, we speak to Nigerian multi-disciplinary artist Jelili Atiku. We discuss his performance work that highlights social issues in Nigeria and beyond including political assassinations, the devasting impact of Boko Haram, and the destruction of traditional values by the British during colonialism. Thank you to Jelili for joining us for this episode. If you are enjoying The Art Persists...

In this episode, we speak to Iranian visual artist Soheila Sokhanvari . We chat about her experience leaving Iran to the UK as a young woman, the road accident that caused her to leave her career as a biochemist and pursue her dream of becoming an artist, and her current exhibition Rebel Rebel , honouring 28 Iranian female artists who were forced to abandon their careers after the Iranian Revoluti...

In this episode, we speak to Syrian activist and filmmaker Waad al-Kateab . We discuss her early life growing up in Syria and her experience of the Syrian Revolution in 2011 which soon descended into war. Waad describes her life during the war as a young mother, filmmaker, and human being , and her experience of fame after the release of For Sama . Thank you to Waad for joining us for this episode...

In this episode, we speak to Fredrik Elg and Laura Kauer Garcia from Safe Havens Freedom Talks . We discuss their work, which provides open platforms for artists, activists, and human rights defenders from all around the world, and the state of artistic freedom today. Thank you to Fredrik and Laura for joining us for this episode. If you are enjoying The Art Persists Podcast, please FOLLOW, RATE,...

In the first episode of Season 2, we speak to British-Egyptian photographer, Laura El-Tantawy . We discuss Laura’s expansive career as a photographer, from her moving images of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution , exploring her experience as both a photographer and an Egyptian, to the c hallenges photographers face today , and how she maintains the dignity of her subjects . Thank you to Laura for joinin...

In the Season 1 finale, we speak to Sudanese political cartoonist, Khalid Albaih . Khalid talks about his political cartoons , responding to global events including the so-called Refugee Crisis in Europe, to the revolutions that erupted across the Middle East during the Arab Spring, and the more recent revolution in Sudan. Khalid also describes the risk associated with his work, along with shadow...

In this episode, we speak to creative duo Sai and K , who tell us about their work in arts and culture in Myanmar and the 2021 military coup that changed their lives forever - leading to Sai’s father being imprisoned by the military and the couple fleeing the country for their lives. Thank you to both Sai and K for sharing their story. If you are enjoying The Art Persists Podcast, please FOLLOW, R...

In this episode, we speak to Uyghur activist, singer, and translator Rahima Mahmut . Rahima describes the history of persecution against the Uyghur people in China and the genocide happening to them today. She also talks about the rich Uyghur culture, traditions, and music and how singing has acted as a relief amongst her round-the-clock campaigning for Uyghur rights in the UK. Thank you to Rahima...

In this episode, we chat to Ukrainian artist Zhenya Oliinyk about her life and work. In the interview, Zhenya talks about how art provides a platform in which she expresses herself and her experience of living in a country under attack. She also describes her decision to stop speaking Russian altogether, and the “internalised Ukrainophobia” she and her peers overcome through language. Zhenya Oliin...