Ben Luke

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

Here are 2019's most visited contemporary art exhibitions

Jean-Michel Basquiat brought in big crowds in Paris—but who beat him to claim the top spot?

Here are the ten most visited photography exhibitions of 2019

Female artists dominated the top ranks of last year's photography shows

Here are the ten most popular Post-Impressionist and Modern art exhibitions of 2019

Big names such as Munch, Klimt and Van Gogh dominate the rankings, but a couple of lesser-known artists did surprisingly well

Podcastspodcast

Saving the art world’s self-employed amidst the coronavirus crisis

We explore the devastating effects of the pandemic on art communities and discuss the different support packages in the UK, Germany and the US. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793

Hosted by Ben Luke and Margaret Carrigan. with guest speaker Catherine Hickley. Produced by Julia Michalska, David Clack and Aimee Dawson
Podcastspodcast

Coronavirus: dispatches from Italy and China

We speak to our journalists Anna Somers Cocks and Lisa Movius about their experiences of lockdown. Plus, we begin a new feature—Lonely Works—where we look at individual works of art that are now hanging unseen in galleries. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793

Hosted by Ben Luke. with guest speakers Anna Somers Cocks, Lisa Movius and Bendor Grosvenor. Produced by Julia Michalska, David Clack and Aimee Dawson
Podcastsfeature

Fill your ears with art: the top culture podcasts to listen to during the coronavirus lockdown

If you are craving creativity and are stuck at home, here are the best arty audios to keep you going

Podcastspodcast

Titian’s poesie: an in-depth tour of 'the most beautiful pictures in the world'

We speak to Gabriele Finaldi about the challenges of opening a show at the time of coronavirus and to its curator about this extraordinary series of paintings. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793

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

Museum top brass are losing the oil money plot

Decision by London's British Museum and Science Museum to continue accepting sponsorship from fossil fuel companies risks alienating the public they serve

Titianpreview

Titian’s ‘remarkable’ poesie paintings reunited for first time in 440 years

The masterpieces produced for Philip II will go on show at London's National Gallery before touring to Edinburgh, Madrid and Boston

Podcastspodcast

Remembering Ulay. Plus, how coronavirus cancelled Art Basel in Hong Kong

We speak to Tate Modern curator Catherine Wood about the late Ulay, and to Marc Spiegler, Art Basel’s global director, about what happened in Hong Kong. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793

A brush withinterview

A brush with... Sterling Ruby

We ask the artist about his favourite novels and find out about the Polish song he listens to on repeat

Blain Southern goes into administration as artists reveal debts owed by gallery

Abrupt closure of three spaces has prompted criticism from some about the way the business was run

Anny Shaw. with additional reporting by Ben Luke

A brush with... Tomás Saraceno

We ask the artist about his favourite book, film and cultural experience as well his thoughts on the most underrated—and overrated—cultural figures

Interview by Ben Luke
Podcastspodcast

Who owns the Parthenon Marbles?

Plus, Shirin Neshat on Trump’s America. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793

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

Does Los Angeles want a big art fair?

As Frieze Los Angeles opens, we look at the LA art scene. Plus, we explore the Met's exhibition Sahel about art from the Sahara. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793

Booksreview

Revamped art book prize wants to become the Oscars of arts publications—is it succeeding?

A year on from its announcement, we look at whether the Richard Schlagman Art Book Awards is meeting its ambitions

Podcastspodcast

Tschabalala Self and radical figurative painting

The US artist discusses figurative painting ahead of her Whitechapel show; plus, why pregnancy was rarely depicted in the art of the past

Podcastspodcast

The story of a fake Gauguin at the Getty

Plus, Canadian First Nations artist Kent Monkman on his Met paintings and the art of food at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge

Hosted by Ben Luke and Margaret Carrigan. with guest speaker Martin Bailey. Produced by Julia Michalska, David Clack and Aimee Dawson
Brexitnews

Crying over EU: how the arts should mark Brexit day

From Richard Artschwager's huge exclamation point, to David Shrigley's thumb, here are some of the most appropriate artistic responses to this historic moment

Podcastspodcast

2020: art market issues and big shows

We look at the year ahead for galleries, art fairs and auctions, and seek out the big shows in the UK, Europe and the US

A brush with... Gillian Wearing

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
Podcastspodcast

2019: the year in review

The Art Newspaper team ponder 2019's biggest art stories. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793.

Hosted by Ben Luke. with guest speakers Anna Brady, Louisa Buck and Jane Morris. Produced by Julia Michalska, David Clack and Aimee Dawson

The five stages of an art world scandal

Creating the ultimate art shock takes more than sticking a banana to the wall

King Tut’s golden year, Koons’s worst: the highs and lows of the art world in 2019

As Notre Dame burned, protestors called the shots and a gold toilet vanished, it was certainly a year to remember

Podcastspodcast

Bananaman: who is Maurizio Cattelan? Plus, art and comedy

Everything you need to know about the artist behind the infamous banana. Plus, we talk to UK comedians Rob Auton, Jenny Eclair and Annie McGrath about the charity exhibition Art is the Best Medicine. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793

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

Turner Prize shocker: what next? Plus, Teresita Fernández in Miami

We talk to Louisa Buck about the decision to award the Turner Prize to all of the nominees. Plus, Miami-born artist Teresita Fernández tells us about her homecoming show at Pérez Art Museum Miami. Produced in association with Bonhams, auctioneers since 1793

Hosted by Ben Luke and Helen Stoilas. with guest speaker Louisa Buck. Produced by David Clack, Julia Michalska and Aimee Dawson
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