The Installation Art Podcast

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An in-depth conversation with award-winning sculptor and installation artist Zadok Ben-David, whose practice spans delicate miniature work to large-scale public installations. From his early beginnings in Yemen and Israel to representing his country at the Venice Biennale, Zadok shares the philosophical and practical journey behind his internationally acclaimed work. Discover how he transforms metal into poetic metaphors exploring human nature, evolution, and our relationship with the natural world (and how one installation changed a stranger's life forever).
Key insights from this episode:
• The path from abstract expressionism at St Martin's School of Art to creating massive figurative installations
• How 30,000 hand-painted flowers became one of the world's most travelled installations and the team of assistants who helped create them
• Behind the scenes of installing work across five continents, from prisoners in Germany to 70 assistants in Uzbekistan
• The commercial strategy that funds large-scale installations through smaller original works
• Why Zadok turned down a $1 million public art commission to maintain artistic integrity
• The profound moment when his Blackfield installation helped a Holocaust survivor find hope again
Zadok Ben-David is based in London and Portugal. You can find out more about his work on his website https://www.zadokbendavid.com/ and follow him on Instagram @zadokstudio https://www.instagram.com/zadokstudio/
Exhibition “FLOWERS. Art from the Renaissance to Artificial Intelligence” in Rome until 22 February 2026: https://www.chiostrodelbramante.it/post_mostra/flowers-flowers-art/

03:27 Work-Life Balance Insights
06:15 Journey to Art and Family Influence
09:17 Art School Challenges and Triumphs
10:19 Moving to London and Early Struggles
15:15 Discovering Sculpture and Teaching
21:06 First Installations
25:17 Animal Metaphors in Art
34:25 Global Exhibitions and Unique Experiences
38:23 Commercial Aspects of Art
40:33 People I Saw, But Never Met
44:58 Art Installations Around the World
48:58 The Other Side of Midnight
54:44 Challenges in Art Installations
01:04:37 The Healing Power of Art
01:11:40 Upcoming Exhibitions and Contact Information

Also mentioned in this episode:
Anish Kapoor: https://anishkapoor.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/dirty_corner/
Jerusalem Art Academy: https://www.bezalel.ac.il/en | https://www.instagram.com/bezalel_academy | @bezalelacademyofartanddesi1460
University of Reading: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ | https://www.instagram.com/uniofreading/ | @UniofReading
Chelsea College of Arts:

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In this bonus episode, host Anastasia Parmson explores what it really means to approach residencies as an installation artist. Beyond the logistics of time, space, and materials, we dive into bigger questions that shape the medium:
• How to make large-scale, site-specific work in short timeframes and unfamiliar contexts?
• What happens when you choose temporary or fragile materials instead of archival ones?
• Is the value of installation art in the object, the process or the audience experience?
• Could installation art be considered disposable or should we always aim for permanence?
Drawing from a recent experimental residency at DRAW Space in Sydney, Anastasia reflects on the challenges of working fast, improvising with cardboard and collaborating with others. But more importantly, you’ll be invited to consider your own approach to residencies, materials, and the long-term value of installation art.
Whether you’re an installation artist or simply curious about how these questions play out in practice, this episode offers insights and provocations designed to spark discussion.
00:00 Introduction and Listener Review
01:54 Invitation to Draw Space Residency
03:47 Challenges and Initial Thoughts
06:10 Execution and Community Involvement
08:21 Building the Installation
12:01 Final Touches and Open Day
15:43 Reflections on the Experiment
24:49 Conclusion and Future Plans
Did this episode raise questions or spark ideas?
We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, stories, or residency experiences:
• Leave a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/installationartpodcast
• Send a DM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/installationartpodcast/
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Also mentioned in this epsisode:
DRAW Space: https://drawspace.org/ | https://www.instagram.com/drawspacesydney
Mentioned in this episode:
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An enlightening conversation with celebrated Danish artist Uffe Isolotto. Discover his journey from growing up in a remote town in Denmark to being selected to represent his country at the prestigious Venice Biennale.
Learn how Uffe balances work and life, the nuances of his collaborative process, and his unique approach to installation art.
Key insights include:
• The role of music and collaboration in his creative process.
• Uffe’s early inspirations and how he evolved from poetry to visual art.
• The logistics and challenges of creating large-scale immersive installations and collaborating with other artists and craftsmen.
• Behind-the-scenes about preparing for the Venice Biennale and the unexpected aftermath.
• Future projects and Uffe’s interest in film and world-building as part of his artistic practice.
Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of Isolotto’s process and his innovative approach to contemporary installation art.
You can follow Uffe on Instagram at @uffeisolotto https://www.instagram.com/uffeisolotto/ and learn more about his installation for the Danish Pavilion at Venice Biennale at @wewalkedtheearth https://www.instagram.com/wewalkedtheearth
04:47 Journey into Art and Education
10:07 First Major Projects and Public Art
12:34 Venice Biennale Experience
15:57 Collaborations and Challenges
18:19 Creative Process and World Building
28:04 Skills and People Management
30:49 Exploring Hyperrealistic Sculpture
31:30 Post-Venice Reflections
33:14 Venturing into Filmmaking
37:40 Artistic Practice and Longevity
44:49 Funding and Challenges
54:52 Advice for Young Artists
58:04 Current Projects and Future Plans
PS: We ran into a few technical issues during the recording of this episode, which means a small section of the conversation didn’t make it into the final cut and the audio isn’t perfect throughout. We appreciate your understanding.
Also mentioned in this episode:
NTS Radio: https://www.nts.live/ | https://www.instagram.com/nts_radio/ | @NTSLIVEUK
Danish Art Foundation: https://www.kunst.dk/english/about-us | https://www.instagram.com/statenskunstfond/
Thomas Foldberg: https://thomasfoldberg.dk/ | https://www.instagram.com/thomas_foldberg_studio/
Lars Von Trier: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001885/ | https://www.instagram.com/larsvontrier_/
Soft Baroque: https://softbaroque.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/soft_baroque/
Anne Sofie Madsen: https://www.instagram.com/annesofiemadsenstudio/
Carlsberg Foundation: https://www.carlsbergfondet.dk/en/ | https://www.instagram.com/carlsbergfondet/ | @Carlsbergfondet1876
Simon Starling: https://www.contemporaryartlibrary.org/artist/simon-starling-14184
Den Frie: https://denfrie.dk/en/ | https://www.instagram.com/denfrie.cph/
Holstebro Kunstmuseum: https://en.holstebrokunstmuseum.dk/ | https://www.instagram.com/holstebrokunstmuseum/
The Installation Art Podcast is a show about people who love and work with the contemporary art medium of installation. The host Anastasia Parmson, an artist herself, interviews internationally renowned artists and arts workers about the intricacies and behind-the-scenes stories of creating and...

Episode 32 features an unforgettable conversation with acclaimed New York-based sculptor and installation artist Petah Coyne. Known for her intricate, large-scale works crafted from an extraordinary range of materials – from dead fish and shredded trailers to wax, taxidermy, and black sand. Coyne’s career spans decades and her works are in major museum collections, including MoMA, the Whitney, the Met, and the Guggenheim.
In this candid, in-depth interview, she shares not only her creative evolution and technical processes but also the personal stories, risks, and moments of doubt behind her monumental career.
Key takeaways from this interview include:
• The wild true story of how 5,000 dead fish played a role in launching her art career.
• How Petah developed her own patented wax formula and the extreme logistics behind shipping large-scale works across the world.
• A behind-the-scenes account of her first major institutional installation and the unexpected accident that helped get it reviewed by The New York Times.
• Her perspective on rejection, persistence, and why she applied for grants every year for a decade before getting one.
• Thoughtful reflections on time, mortality, and the pressure artists feel to keep creating.
From poetic anecdotes to hard-earned wisdom, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a successful and deeply generous artist whose work, like great literature, lingers long after the first encounter.

03:52 The Dead Fish Prank
07:36 Early Life and Artistic Beginnings
14:40 How To Avoid School
16:00 Moving to New York
22:22 First Big Break and Installation Art
41:34 The Importance of Archival Quality
46:22 Finding and Working with Assistants
48:53 Fragility and Tactility of Artworks
51:09 The Stolen Sculpture Incident
54:36 Selling Large Sculptures to Collectors
01:07:04 Navigating the Art World
01:09:52 The Importance of Feedback
01:24:56 Funding Art Projects
01:31:01 Experimenting with New Mediums
01:37:43 Final Thoughts and Advice To Artists

Petah Coyne is based in New York and is represented by Galerie Lelong & Co., New York: https://galerielelong.com/artists/11-petah-coyne/
and Nunu Fine Art, Taiwan: https://www.nunufineart.com/petah-coyne
You can find out more about her work on her website: https://www.petahcoyne.org/
And follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petahcoyne

Also mentioned in this episode:
The Jealous Curator: https://thejealouscurator.substack.com/about | https://www.instagram.com/thejealouscurator/
Art For Your Ear Podcast, interview with Petah Coyne: https://www.thejealouscurator.com/blog/2020/11/20/just-be-wonderful/
Herron School of Art and Design: https://herron.indianapolis.iu.edu/
Art Academy of Cincinnati: https://www.artacademy.edu/ |

In this bonus episode of the Installation Art podcast, curator and art consultant Carrie Scott joins me to delve into the ongoing controversy surrounding the Venice Biennale Australian Pavilion.
Together we discuss:
• How artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino were appointed to represent Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale and then abruptly cancelled
• The procedural, political, and social dimensions of the decision made by Creative Australia, its impact on the local and international art scene, and what it means for artistic freedom
• How the Australian arts community is responding to the shock decision
• Carrie shares her personal experiences and insights, offering a poignant perspective on the value of art that challenges and provokes.
We also touch on recent tragic news that affects the Biennale more broadly and raises questions about who has the authority to decide what kind of art is “acceptable” or what art is about.
05:02 The Australian Pavilion Controversy: An Overview
06:51 Selection Process for the Australian Pavilion
10:46 Creative Australia's Decision and Backlash
12:10 Senate Hearing and Further Repercussions
17:36 Personal Reflections on the Controversy
38:40 National Pavilions and Curator's Theme
39:09 Tragic Passing of Koyo Kouoh
42:38 Journalist's Role and Agenda
45:16 Art and Political Sensitivities
48:14 Personal Reflections on 9/11
53:16 Curatorial Challenges and Responses
58:59 Speculations and Broader Implications
Carrie Scott is a curator and art consultant based in London: https://www.carrie-scott.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/carriescottcurates/ 

SEEN is a next-generation art consultancy, shining a light on the opaque world of galleries, auction houses and dealers: https://www.seen.art/ | https://www.instagram.com/watchseenart/ | @watchseenart
📬 Got comments? Share your thoughts: SpeakPipe.com/InstallationArtPodcast
Or DM us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/installationartpodcast/

If you want to help the Sabsabi-Dagostino project in Venice, go to this website: https://khaledsabsabi.com/support-the-venice-biennale-2026-exhibition-by-khaled-sabsabi-curated-by-michael-dagostino/
Or purchase a unique artwork by Sabsabi to help raise funds: https://unvanishedsabsabi.myshopify.com/

Khaled Sabsabi speaks: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-art-show/khaled-sabsabi-speaks/105050484
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/audio/2025/apr/01/exclusive-khaled-sabsabi-speaks-on-the-damage-of-being-dumped-from-the-venice-biennale-full-story-podcast

Also mentioned in this episode:
Khaled Sabsabi: https://khaledsabsabi.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/peacefender/
Michael Dagostino: https://www.sydney.edu.au/museum/about-us/our-people.html
Creative Australia: https://creative.gov.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/creative.australia/
Venice Biennale: https://www.labiennale.org/en | https://www.instagram.com/labiennale/ | @BiennaleChannel
Adrian Collette: