Art Cast
Series 5 Episode 6: John Costi

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of topics some people might find triggering including suicide, and rape.

Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.

In this episode we are joined by John Costi, a multidisciplinary artist whose life and work epitomises resilience, creativity, and community engagement. Born in 1987 and raised in London, John draws upon his Cypriot and Irish heritage to inform his art, which spans sculpture, installation, painting, and performance. His work critically examines themes of upbringing, class, and masculinity, often inviting audiences to become active participants in the artistic experience.

John's journey into the art world is both profound and inspiring. While serving a 6 year sentence at HM Young Offender Institution Feltham, he encountered Koestler Arts—the UK's leading prison arts charity. This engagement marked the beginning of a transformative path: from a participant in prison art programs to a mentee, scholar, arts worker, judge, and eventually, co-curator of Koestler Arts' annual exhibition at the Southbank Centre last December, which I saw and was absolutely fantastic.

In 2022, John earned an MA in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins and was selected for the South London Gallery's post-graduate residency program. He now operates from his studio on his Residency at Somerset House, continuing to create art that challenges hierarchies of art experience and fosters community dialogue.

The South London Gallery stated on Costi’s work; Costi’s work is rooted in healing and transformation. Using play and conversation to create artworks that bring people together and form social connections, he often takes found objects to create sculptures and installations, a practice he refers to as ‘Culture-Mating’. He uses spoken word in his practice, and also creates characters and environments that draw on his personal heritage and experiences growing up to celebrate London’s traditions and histories

Costi also heads crime diversion groups in probations and prisons.

You can learn more about his work at www.johncostiart.com

Art Cast
Series 5 Episode 5: Stefanie Posavec

Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.

In this episode we are joined by Designer, Stefanie Posavec. Stefanie is a London-based information designer specializing in non-traditional representations of data, turning complex information into intuitive, artistic, and often hand-drawn visual experiences.

Born in 1981, she studied Graphic Design at Colorado State University before earning a Master of Arts in Communication Design from Central Saint Martins in London. It was during her time at CSM that she discovered her passion for using data as a design material.

Art Cast
Series 5 Episode 4: Lindsey Mendick

Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.

In this episode we're looking into the world of Lindsey Mendick, an artist from London who is now based in Margate who makes ceramic sculptures and immersive installations.

Lindsey's work intertwines personal narratives with elements of the everyday and the extraordinary. Lindsey's installations often feature hand-built ceramics, stained glass, and performance elements, creating environments that invite viewers into her world. Through her art, she offers a form of catharsis, encouraging reflection on personal experiences and the shared human condition.

Art Cast
Series 5 Episode 3: Katja Novitskova

Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.

In today’s episode, we are joined by Katja Novitskova. Born in Tallinn, Estonia, Katja Novitskova is an installation artist whose work investigates how media shapes our understanding of the world. One of her most significant achievements was representing Estonia at the 57th Venice Biennale in 2017 with her exhibition If Only You Could See What I’ve Seen with Your Eyes. The project examined the intersections of big data, vision, and ecological crisis, highlighting the ways in which technology mediates our understanding of the environment.

Art Cast
Series 5 Episode 2: David Stewart

Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.

In today's episode we are joined by Photographer and Director, David Stewart. We are also accompanied by Suu-ki Coward, from the third year of our Fine Art Degree.

David Stewart is a British photographer and director known for his surreal and often humorous large-format portraits. His career began photographing tourists on Morecambe promenade and capturing punk bands like The Clash and The Ramones as they performed at local venues.

Art Cast
Series 5 Episode 1: Steven Gee

Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London – Chelsea Centre.

In today’s episode, we are joined by artist and Director of Piccalilli Gallery, Steven Gee. We also have a student from our Fine Art Degree, Kirsten Newbigging, who is currently in her second year with us. Kirsten will be presenting her exhibition at The Washroom Gallery, a space we created by converting a toilet in our studios into an artist-run exhibition space. Steven visited our studios before this podcast to discuss Kirsten’s work in the Washroom Gallery, a particularly relevant parallel, as he himself runs Piccalilli, an artist-led initiative supporting artists.

Art Cast
Series 4 Episode 10: Stuart Semple

Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.

In today's episode, we are joined by artist, Activist, hero of democratising exciting art materials… Stuart Semple! We also have a couple of students guesting from our HNC Fine Art, Christine Tayor and Kirsten Newbigging.

Stuart Semple is a British artist whose practice spans painting, sculpture, technology, and activism. His work delves into sociopolitical themes such as youth politics, accessibility, and democracy, reflecting a deep engagement with societal issues.

Art Cast
Series 4 Episode 9: Mark Titchner

Art Cast is a podcast series of informal discussions with professional artists and designers, presented by Matt Gee, Programme Area Manager of Fine Art, joined by students from Morley College London - Chelsea Centre.

In today's episode, we are joined by artist Mark Titchner, and we have a student guesting from our HNC Fine Art, Ekaterina Egorushkina.

Mark Titchner studied at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and his acclaim soared when he was nominated for the Turner Prize in 2006, a testament to his exploration of words and language within the realm of art. His installations, often nestled within the public domain, serve as beacons of introspection and communal dialogue, inviting viewers to immerse themselves.