Extraordinary Creatives

• Artists Hold The Keys To How We See and Live with Ben Luke

  This week, Ceri is delighted to introduce you to the extraordinary Ben Luke, who has spent three decades at the heart of the art world, his voice shaping how we hear from artists—now it’s his turn to share what shaped him. A writer, broadcaster and host of A Brush With… and The Week in Art, his new book What is Art For?, published by HENI, gathers 25 conversations with established international artists including Michael Armitage, Phyllida Barlow, Jeremy Deller, Ellen Gallagher, Theaster Gates, Julie Mehretu and Doris Salcedo. You’ll hear about his early life in suburban Kent, how drama classes shaped his voice, why Warhol and Dalí obsessed him as a teenager, the critics and pop stars who influenced his style, and the moments that pushed him to stop painting and start writing. Most of all, they unpack what drives and motivates him after 30 years in the art world—and why he believes artists hold the keys to how we see and live. KEY TAKEAWAYS Encounters with Warhol, Dalí, Bowie and Eno, changed Ben´s outlook and sparked his imagination. They inspired him to embrace creativity and explore new ideas. Ben’s parents nurtured his creative ambitions and never curtailed his dreams, while his father’s strong political values instilled in him a sense of curiosity, openness, and commitment that shaped his path as a writer and critic. Criticism doesn't have to come from cynicism. It can come from love. Interviews can be collaborations rather than interrogations. The true measure of art is whether it helps us see differently, feel differently. So keep following the references and going down the rabbit holes, because art, as Ben suggests, isn't just for looking, it's for living. BEST MOMENTS “I remember everybody I ever liked being described as pretentious, so I saw people being called pretentious as being a badge of honour.” “Fund culture. It makes us better. It makes us more human. It makes us more alive. It makes us understand each other better.” “The responsibility of the critic is to engage as deeply as possible with the work before writing about it.” GUEST RESOURCES Ben´s Book - published by HENI - https://heni.com/shop/books/what-is-art-for https://www.theartnewspaper.com https://podcasts.apple.com/gt/podcast/a-brush-with/id1525997434 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-week-in-art/id1280469178 HOST BIO With over 35 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals. **** Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! https://cerihand.com/membership **** Unlock Your Artworld Network Self Study Course Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today. https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network **** Book a Discovery Call Today To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected] **** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media https://disruptivemedia.co.uk

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• The One Skill That Changed My Life: How to Negotiate with Confidence and Clarity

  Today, Ceri talks about the one skill that completely changed her life. Not a new app, not a productivity hack, but negotiation. As a recovering people-pleaser, Ceri used to dread negotiating with challenging people. She´d avoid it, overgive, or undercharge. When Ceri faced a challenging experience with a narcissist that nearly overwhelmed her, she learned from negotiation expert Kwame Christian. Since then, negotiation has empowered her to get paid fairly, build healthier collaborations, and stand her ground—even in tough situations. Whether you’re selling a piece of work, applying for a commission, or setting the terms for a group show—you are negotiating. So, let Ceri get you ready to do it with confidence and care. KEY TAKEAWAYS Before negotiating know what you want and why, learn about who you’re negotiating with, and acknowledge your feelings. Preparation is crucial—ask yourself questions to clarify goals, needs, and possible barriers. Research the other person. Stick to your values and boundaries. BEST MOMENTS “Negotiation has become a superpower. It´s helped me get paid properly, build healthier collaborations and feel more grounded even in tricky situations.” “No is not failure. Your time, energy and sanity have got value, and sometimes walking away is the wisest decision.” “Practice makes powerful. Practice your negotiation skills in low-risk settings first.” EPISODE RESOURCES Kwame Christian - https://negotiateanything.com HOST BIO With over 35 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals. ** The Artist Mastermind Circle: Ready to stop second-guessing and start building momentum in your art career? Applications are now open for the next Artist Mastermind Circle—a six-month coaching programme for mid-career artists who are serious about growing their confidence, income, and opportunities. Apply by September 15th, 2025, at https://cerihand.com/artist-mastermind-circle and take the next bold step. Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! https://cerihand.com/membership ** Unlock Your Artworld Network Self Study Course Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today. https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network ** Book a Discovery Call Today To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected] ** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

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• Trusting the Thread: Holly Stevenson on Creative Instincts and Artistic Integrity

  For the British artist Holly Stevenson clay, memory and psychoanalysis intertwine in hauntingly playful sculptures. This conversation traces Holly’s extraordinary journey—from her Russian grandmother’s concentration camp survival and the inspiration a Chilean refugee provided, to set design in Rome and motherhood, all the way to her groundbreaking residency at the Freud Museum. Discover how Holly’s fiercely independent spirit, and fascination with what hides in plain sight have shaped her visceral, intimate works. KEY TAKEAWAYS Holly´s work is heavily influenced by psychoanalysis, both in subject matter and in approach. Holly finds beauty and meaning in everyday materials like clay, wood, paper, and even bed sheets. The creative path is rarely linear, but it can be deeply coherent if we learn to trust our instincts and follow the thread of our own obsessions. BEST MOMENTS “Holly makes the invisible visible - emotionally, materially and economically.” “I wanted to see something or hear something affirmative. But it's not about that, is it? It's about process. It's about accumulation. It's about one mark plus one mark, plus three marks plus 5000 marks, makes a drawing.” “Clay, like life, demands presence and patience. It cracks, resists, warps and still invites you back.” EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.holly-stevenson.co.uk https://www.instagram.com/holly__stevenson PODCAST HOST BIO With over 35 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals. **** The Artist Mastermind Circle: Ready to stop second-guessing and start building momentum in your art career? Applications are now open for the next Artist Mastermind Circle—a six-month coaching programme for mid-career artists who are serious about growing their confidence, income, and opportunities. Apply by September 15th 2025 at https://cerihand.com/artist-mastermind-circle/ and take the next bold step. Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! https://cerihand.com/membership/ **** Unlock Your Artworld Network Self Study Course Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today. https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/ **** Book a Discovery Call Today To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected] **** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

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• How to Find Your Artworld Champions

  To grow your art career, you don’t need one gatekeeper, you need a creative ecosystem. Nobody´s career can grow in isolation, everyone needs champions - Curators, Writers, Collectors, Funders, Peers, Producers, Family and Friends. People who give feedback, open doors, and say your name in the right room. Ceri shares how to spot your artworld champions in the wild, connect with them and start building your own support network today. Ready to take action? Start the Unlock Your Artworld Network self-paced course today and learn how to build the connections that will sustain your art and your career - https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/ KEY TAKEAWAYS Your champions are the people who help you move forward. They're not always famous or powerful, but they do offer guidance, feedback, introductions and advocacy. Amira found new champions and opportunities by mapping out who supported and wrote about artists she admired, then reaching out to them herself, in a genuine, thoughtful way. Map out your current champions, who's helped you so far, who's in your corner, who you've been meaning to reconnect with Choose three areas you want to grow in and let your champions help you to do that. BEST MOMENTS “Let's get into the nuts and bolts, because this is how the art world really works, and how your work gets seen, shared and supported.” “ When one door's stuck shut, a champion might just crack open a window.” “Think of your networks as your ecosystem. They don't have to be fancy or formal. They can be a group of artists visiting shows together, a creative co-working space, a book group, an online course or coaching membership like mine.” PODCAST HOST BIO With over 35 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals. **** The Artist Mastermind Circle: Ready to stop second-guessing and start building momentum in your art career? Applications are now open for the next Artist Mastermind Circle—a six-month coaching programme for mid-career artists who are serious about growing their confidence, income, and opportunities. Apply by September 15th 2025 at https://cerihand.com/artist-mastermind-circle/ and take the next bold step. Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! https://cerihand.com/membership/ **** Book a Discovery Call Today To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected] **** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

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• Photography That Blends Memory and Fantasy with Josh Aronson

  Josh Aronson doesn’t just take photos—he builds scenes that blur memory and fantasy, tenderness and tension. Josh creates emotionally charged photographic tableaux that reimagine the Southern landscape and masculinity. He shares his journey from curating Facebook albums of high school parties to staging cinematic shoots in Florida’s swamps and springs. Josh explains how skipping art school became a creative advantage and why he prefers staging photos over capturing candid moments. Even with clients like Chanel and work in Vogue Italia and Dazed, Josh still manages to keep his independent, honest voice. If you’ve ever felt like an outsider or struggled to explain your artistic path, this episode is for you. KEY TAKEAWAYS Stay positive, embrace authenticity, uncertainty and spontaneity. Tune into and use the chemistry you have with your subjects. Explore relationships and the interplay between individuals and their environment in your work. You don´t need permission to begin, you just need curiosity and a camera. It's okay not to know what you're trying to say at first. The message reveals itself as you create. BEST MOMENTS “The location is like a character alongside your other cast of characters, and you're in there too.” “Making art isn't always about capturing the truth. It's often about inventing it.” “Lean into your longing, to stage the stories that feel unfinished, and to stop waiting for perfect conditions or someone else's validation. “ RESOURCES https://www.instagram.com/jda.usa HOST BIO With over 35 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals. The Artist Mastermind Circle: Ready to stop second-guessing and start building momentum in your art career? Applications are now open for the next Artist Mastermind Circle—a six-month coaching programme for mid-career artists who are serious about growing their confidence, income, and opportunities. Apply by September 15th, 2025, at https://cerihand.com/artist-mastermind-circle and take the next bold step. Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! https://cerihand.com/membership Unlock Your Artworld Network Self Study Course Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today. https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network Book a Discovery Call Today To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected] Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk

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