Ben Luke

Ben Luke is a contributing editor and podcast host at The Art Newspaper

Musicfeature

The artist’s composer: Steve Reich's percussive experiment returns to the Hayward Gallery this week

Drumming was first performed at the London venue in Mark Rothko's 1972 exhibition—now it will be surrounded by Bridget Riley's show

Podcastspodcast

Troy: the show and the problem with BP sponsorship

We talk about the myth and reality of Troy presented in the British Museum's show and to an activist about ongoing protests relating to fossil-fuel companies' sponsorship of the arts. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793.

Hosted by Ben Luke. Produced by Julia Michalska, David Clack and Aimee Dawson
Musicnews

John Lennon wanted Hitler on cover of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album

Jann Haworth, who co-created the classic image with Peter Blake, revealed the surprising choice on our podcast

Podcastspodcast

Dora Maar and Jann Haworth: acclaim at last

We take a tour of the Dora Maar show at London's Tate Modern, where the artist is finally getting her due, and talk to US artist Jann Haworth about her retrospective at Pallant House Gallery. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793

Hosted by Ben Luke. Produced by Julia Michalska, David Clack and Aimee Dawson
Paula Regointerview

A brush with... Paula Rego

We ask the artist about her favourite book, writer and work of art as well her thoughts on the most underrated—and overrated—cultural figures

Interview by Ben Luke

Three exhibitions to see in London this weekend

From Roy Oxlade's energetic canvases to Nan Goldin's first UK show in almost two decades

Podcastspodcast

Anselm Kiefer interview. Plus, New York auction 'gigaweek'

We talk to German artist Anselm Kiefer about his new works inspired by String Theory and ask expert Scott Reyburn why the art market is treading water. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793

Christian Boltanski’s labyrinth: Centre Pompidou show takes viewers on an immersive journey

Plans for the French artist’s retrospective show he is still open to taking risks and charting new territory­­

Podcastspodcast

Tutmania returns. Plus, Duchamp in the US

We review Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh at London's Saatchi Gallery and talk about the Modern master Marcel Duchamp at the Hirshhorn Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793

Three exhibitions to see in London this weekend

From an unflinching look at childbirth to sound performances on the Strand

Mediafeature

From 'piecemealing' medievalist to TV darling: how Janina Ramirez is championing slow media about culture

The shows Raiders of the Lost Past and Handmade in Bolton on the BBC and the scholar's popular podcast reflect a thirst for in-depth knowledge

Podcastspodcast

Special: Fireworks! Picturing pyrotechnics with professor Simon Werrett

In honour of Bonfire Night in the UK this podcast looks at how artists—from Whistler to Cai Guo-Qiang—have captured fireworks

Hosted by Ben Luke. Produced by Julia Michalska and David Clack
Podcastspodcast

Dread Scott’s slave revolt reenactment. Plus, Pre-Raphaelite Sisters

The US artist on his two-day performance in Louisiana and the role of women in the Pre-Raphaelite movement. Produced in association with Bonhams

Three exhibitions to see in London this weekend

From Bridget Riley's trippy canvases to Eduardo Paolozzi's war-wearied sculptures

Podcastspodcast

Leonardo at the Louvre: the spectacular show and the Salvator Mundi no-show

We speak to co-curator Vincent Delieuvin about the 13 years of research that went into the show and discuss the latest twist in the Salvator Mundi saga with author Ben Lewis. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793

Hosted by Ben Luke. Produced by Julia Michalska, David Clack and Aimee Dawson
Booksreview

‘If I don’t like your pictures, I can destroy everything': a photographer's intimate—but risky—shoots with Louise Bourgeois

In his new book the photographer Jean-François Jaussaud details how he gained the trust of the late French artist

Podcastspodcast

MoMA special: our verdict on the museum opening of the year

We speak to two of the museum's curators leading the expansion and our New York team sit down to discuss the highs and lows of the new space. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793.

Hosted by Ben Luke and Nancy Kenney. with guest speakers Margaret Carrigan, Helen Stoilas and Linda Yablonsky
Podcastspodcast

Agnes Denes: environmental art pioneer. Plus, Rembrandt-Velázquez and De Hooch

We speak to the artist behind the extraordinary Wheatfield work and visit two new shows in the Netherlands. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793.

Mark Bradfordinterview

Mark Bradford addresses modern-day xenophobia through Greek mythology and a Motown classic

US artist talks on The Art Newspaper Podcast about his London exhibition Cerberus at Hauser & Wirth

Rembrandt-Velázquez: a match made in curatorial heaven

Exhibition at the Rijksmuseum reveals both artists as masters of psychology and technique

Mark Leckeyinterview

Mark Leckey on using Victorian techniques to evoke magical memories

For his new Tate Britain show, the artist used illusion to recreate his childhood experience beneath a motorway

Podcastspodcast

Frieze week: Ai Weiwei, Mark Bradford, Peter Doig, Melanie Gerlis, Hettie Judah

In this bumper edition we interview three of the world's leading artists, all of whom have shows timed to coincide with Frieze in London, plus all the latest news from the fair

Hosted by Ben Luke. with guest speakers Melanie Gerlis and Louisa Buck. Produced by Julia Michalska and David Clack
Podcastspodcast

Special: is art education in crisis? Featuring Bob and Roberta Smith

As art schools start their new term in the UK, this week’s episode is an education special. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793.

Hosted by Ben Luke and Nancy Kenney. Produced by Julia Michalska and David Clack
Podcastspodcast

Museum ethics. Plus, the Chicago Architecture Biennial

We discuss the increased scrutiny museums face over their sponsorship policies and the architectural heritage of Chicago

Hosted by Ben Luke and Margaret Carrigan. , with guest speakers Jane Morris and Martin Bailey. Produced by Julia Michalska, David Clack and Aimee Dawson
Podcastspodcast

Tate's William Blake blockbuster. Plus, Pace and the New York gallery boom

We take an in-depth tour of the Blake show and talk to Marc Glimcher about his vast new space in Chelsea and why galleries are becoming supersized. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793.

Hosted by Ben Luke and Margaret Carrigan. Produced by Julia Michalska and David Clack

It's back to school for the art world—here's why you shouldn't just rush to the blockbusters

From William Blake at Tate Britain to Gauguin at the National Gallery, London's museums are opening their biggest exhibitions this month—but how much are you really able to enjoy them?

Podcastspodcast

Tim Spall on playing L.S. Lowry. Plus, an exclusive interview with Chris Ofili and Jasmine Thomas-Girvan

We kick off the new season with a behind-the-scenes look at the film Mrs Lowry and Son and explore an artistic relationship in Trinidad

Hosted by Ben Luke. Produced by Julia Michalska, David Clack and Aimee Dawson
Podcastspodcast

Top of the Pods: David Hockney and other modern British mavericks

We revisit our exclusive interview with the British artist. Plus, expert Martin Gayford tells us about Hockney, Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon and others in post-war London

Hosted by Ben Luke. Produced by Julia Michalska, David Clack and Aimee Dawson
Podcastspodcast

Top of the Pods: The best of the Venice Biennale

A look back at our coverage of the contemporary art event, including interviews with Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster and Ralph Rugoff

Hosted by Ben Luke. Produced by Julia Michalska, David Clack and Aimee Dawson