UK Desk for Arts Express

What is a co-operative? We throw the word around like it’s a trendy café or a startup with a conscience, but in Baltimore, David Lidz and his team at WaterBottle Co-op are proving it’s something far more radical, a way of reclaiming power from the few and putting it back in the hands of the people who actually graft. Worker-owners, not shareholders. Community control, not corporate spin. We talk a...

I sit down with Josh Cliffords, the founder of  @freewater.io  the startup giving away bottled spring water for free and somehow managing to tackle the global water crisis while they’re at it. It’s like Mad Men meets mutual aid: every bottle’s an ad, and every sip helps fund clean water projects in East Africa. We talk philanthropy, advertising, why FreeWater might be capitalism’s glitch...

They said it was just about the bins. But if you’ve ever lived on an estate, you know better — it always starts with the bins. In this episode, I’m reporting from the streets of Birmingham, a city on its knees with a bankrupt council, a broken promise to workers, and rubbish piling up faster than excuses. I joined Unite the Union and the striking bin workers right outside the council house as they...

On this edition of the UK Desk for Arts Express , I take a close look at  New Flesh , the debut novel by Adam Jones—a brutal, stylish piece of speculative fiction that fuses body horror with bureaucratic dread. Think Cronenberg meets Kafka, shot through with a very British kind of collapse. I dig into how the book speaks to our current moment: digital numbness, institutional violence, and the...

Sitting down with Greenaway, aka The Lit Crit Guy, for a chat about his new book felt like pulling back the curtain on something we all live in but rarely name: a system so inescapable, so total, that it starts to feel like air — poisoned, pressurised, but invisible unless you stop to really look. And that’s what the book does: it doesn’t just point at late-stage capitalism and say “this is bad,”...

The independent publisher that’s been shaking up the literary scene with its bold, anti-establishment ethos. From philosophy to politics, music to subcultures, Repeater has carved out a space for radical thought and unflinching creativity. In this episode, we unpack the explosive whistleblowing that exposed the tech-capitalist ties behind the scenes, the role of AI in eroding independent publishin...

For this weeks UK Desk, I reflect on my experiences in the UK film and creative scene and the current plight facing the industry at the moment which has left more then 70% out of work across the sector. Can the working class artists survive this war on culture? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

And I wonder—if Dazai were alive today, would he even stand a chance? Would he be dismissed as “too bleak” for publishers? Would he be buried under a thousand AI-generated books designed to mimic his style but lacking his soul? Would an algorithm decide that his work was too risky, too unpredictable, too human? Art, when it’s real, doesn’t follow the rules. It doesn’t obey authority. It doesn’t as...

I chat with Professor Sergey Toymentsev, who offers a fresh and in-depth perspective on the work of Andrei Tarkovsky. We explore Tarkovsky’s cinematic language, his spiritual and philosophical themes, and his lasting influence on global cinema. Sergey discusses how Tarkovsky’s films engage with Russian and Soviet history, the intersection of politics and art, and the ways his legacy continues to e...

In what can only be described as the collision of performance art, digital fame, and a deep misunderstanding of reality, I sat down with Paul Hind – the self-proclaimed Commander of the 75th century – to discuss his… unique mission? Yes, truly the hard-hitting journalism the moment demands. Paul, who once gained infamy as a convicted troll targeting grieving families, has somehow re-emerged as a T...

In this deeply personal episode, I reflect on the passing of the unparalleled David Lynch, a filmmaker, artist, and visionary whose work shaped my creativity, inspired generations, and defied all conventions of cinema. From my first bewildering encounter with Mulholland Drive to the raw brilliance of Inland Empire and the haunting resonance of Eraserhead, Lynch’s films were more than just surreal...

On this special episode of the UK Desk for Arts Express, Jack Clarke bring a new segment to the table from his days at school; Who would win in a fight? Get ready for the ultimate clash of worlds in this surreal, once-in-a-lifetime showdown! In one corner, the enigmatic and towering Judge Holden, straight out of Blood Meridian—a hairless, pale giant with a cold, unrelenting stare and a reputation...

In what can only be described as the pinnacle of domestic drama meets geopolitical analysis, for some reason I interviewed Dr. Matthew Alford while he hoovered his stairs.  Yes, truly groundbreaking radio.  Matthew explains his ill-fated sanity: if humanity survived 2024 without nuking itself, he’d finally clean his stairs. Well, no mushroom clouds, just ongoing wars, genocide, and some...

On this first new year episode of the UK Desk for Arts Express, host Jack Clarke dives into the seismic collision of technology, morality, and power in the case that gripped the headlines: the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. With a sharp lens on Luigi Mangione’s manifesto and the shadowy interplay of corporate greed, personal tragedy, and systemic failure, this episode unpack...

On this episode of  Arts Express , Jack Clarke dives into a fascinating conversation with author and pastor Russ Ramsey about the intersection of art, faith, and the human experience. From Van Gogh's yearning for beauty in the midst of struggle to the role of creativity as a modern-day form of storytelling and prayer, this episode explores how art shapes our understanding of life and spiritua...

On this episode of Arts Express, we welcome the multitalented April Brucker, ventriloquist, comedienne, and author, alongside her outspoken puppet May Wilson. Known for her unique humor and unforgettable television appearances—including her cult-classic episode on My Strange Addiction—April discusses her bold new holiday single, "Merry Christmas, I'm So Glad I Didn't Marry You," the art and histor...

On this episode of Arts Express, UK Desk host Jack Clarke asked historian Greg Eghigian why UFOs have remained such a resilient and captivating phenomenon in global culture—and what that tells us about our beliefs, our anxieties, and even our politics. Greg’s new book, After the Flying Saucers Came: A Global History of the UFO Phenomenon, explores these questions and more. From shifting academic a...

On this week’s segment of the UK Desk for Arts Express, join Jack Clarke for a deep dive into the provocative world of Yukio Mishima, one of Japan’s most enigmatic and controversial literary figures. We’ll explore his seminal novel  Confessions of a Mask , unpacking its haunting portrayal of identity, desire, and alienation, all while tracing its chilling connections to the rise of fascist ae...

On this special segment of the UK Desk, Host Jack Clarke has a compelling conversation with Lizzie Greenwood, a young activist on the front lines of a hunger strike protesting the UK government’s support for Israel amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Lizzie shares her motivations, the emotional and physical toll of her protest, and her message to young people about the power of direct action in...

In this episode of Arts Express, UK Desk host Jack Clarke welcomes Sam Cullis, the driving force behind the newly rebranded London Breeze Film Festival. With years of championing emerging talent, Sam dives into the festival’s evolution from its humble beginnings as Barnes Film Festival to its current status as a BIFA-qualifying powerhouse. He discusses the real challenges of running a film festiva...

In this episode of Arts Express, UK Desk host Jack Clarke delves into the eclectic world of William Banks, a creative artist based in New York City whose work transcends traditional boundaries. From his multifaceted career as an actor in films and writer of comedy shows to the surreal decade he spent on Car World , an otherworldly planet in a parallel universe, Clarke explores the inspirations and...

In this episode of Arts Express, UK Desk host Jack Clarke embarks on an in-depth exploration of Zardoz, John Boorman’s 1974 cult film, as it marks its 50th anniversary. Revisiting the surreal and provocative landscape of this dystopian classic, Clarke delves into its historical reception and evolving significance in today’s sociopolitical climate, from the film’s bold commentary on power and spiri...

In this episode of  Arts Express , UK Desk host Jack Clarke delves into the world of experimental sound and visual art with author and music journalist David Stubbs. Exploring his latest book,  Fear of Music: Why People Get Rothko but Don’t Get Stockhausen , the conversation tackles the cultural challenges around avant-garde appreciation and our biases in music versus visual art. Stubbs...

In this episode of the UK Desk for Arts Express, Jack Clarke delves into the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, analysing the deeper ramifications of the current crisis, including the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. With sharp commentary and historical insight, the episode explores the power dynamics at play, the roots of Palestinian anger, and Israel's role in shaping the conflict. Drawing...

In this episode of Arts Express, UK Desk host Jack Clarke dives into the world of Steven Spielberg with acclaimed film historian and critic Ian Nathan. Exploring the director’s lasting influence on modern cinema, the conversation covers everything from the birth of the blockbuster with  Jaws , Spielberg's collaborations with legendary figures like John Williams, to his groundbreaking use of s...