In this episode Ben uncovers the curious history behind a defining work of 20th-century Surrealism, Salvador Dali’s Lobster Telephone, part of the collection of National Galleries Scotland. Ben hears from curator Patrick Elliott, who reveals more about the genesis of the work and the man who commissioned it, Edward James; academic Dr Sarah Jackson, whose ‘Crossed Lines’ project examines the representation of the phone in modern literature; and finally, Jamie Ruers of the Freud Museum in London, who reveals more about the connection between Dali and Freud’s theories of the unconscious mind.

You can see an image of Lobster Telephone at https://www.artfund.org/artandstuff

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In this episode Ben uncovers the story behind Tam Joseph’s powerful and provocative painting, Spirit of the Carnival, which offers a commentary on the ever-increasing police presence at London’s annual Notting Hill Carnival during the 70s and 80s. Ben hears from guests including Carol Thompson, curator at Wolverhampton Art Gallery; musician and chairman of the Association of Calypsonians UK, Vincent John; filmmaker and journalist Wyn Baptiste, whose father was the director of the carnival in the mid-70s; and Tam Joseph himself, who sheds light on the creation of the work.

To see an image of Spirit of the Carnival please visit https://www.artfund.org/whats-on/art-and-stuff

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In this episode Ben discovers more about one of the most recognisable puppets ever to grace the screen: Aloysius Parker from Thunderbirds. Crafted by master puppeteer John Blundall, this version of Parker was never used in the show itself but was made in 2002 from his original design, and is part of the collection at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Ben hears from guests including Jo-Ann Curtis, curator of history at the museum; filmmaker and writer Stephen La Rivière; broadcaster and Thunderbirds fan Samira Ahmed; puppeteer Ronnie Le Drew, perhaps best known for his performance as ‘Zippy’ in the long-running children’s TV show Rainbow; and David Graham, the man who voiced the original Parker in Gerry Anderson’s landmark series.

You can see an image of Parker by visiting https://www.artfund.org/whats-on/art-and-stuff

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