Artist Kareena Zerefos explores the spiritual dimensions of art-making, the tension between connection and isolation, and why life itself is the work of an artist. We discuss everything from the Rothko Room at the Tate Modern to working with copper, the eeriness of AI, the challenge of calling yourself an artist, and the importance of holding contradictory truths in both art and life.

Kareena on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kareena.zerefos/

Kareena on Substack: https://kareenazerefos.substack.com/

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Join us for an intimate conversation with Spencer Zachary, a California-born rapper, singer-songwriter, and mix engineer now based in Lisbon, Portugal. Spencer opens up about his unexpected journey into music, the creative process behind his 2024 album "Open Water," and his recent collaborative residency at the Groove House. We explore the therapeutic nature of songwriting, the challenges of artistic perfectionism, and why he believes creativity should come from joy, not just suffering.

Spencer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_spencerzachary/

The Groove House: https://www.instagram.com/the.groove.house/

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In this episode, we sit down with Ema Sofia Fonseca, a talented Portuguese actor and playwright. Ema Sofia shares her journey from a highly sensitive child discovering theatre and writing stories at age six to becoming an actor working across film, TV, stage. She also talks us through her playwriting, for which she recently placed in the top three of the competition for female Portuguese playwright. The conversation explores the intersection of acting and writing, the challenges of being a creative professional, and the current opportunities in Portuguese theatre and entertainment.

Ema Sofia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emasofia.fonseca/

A Morte do Corvo, an immersive theatre experience now in Lisbon: https://www.instagram.com/amortedocorvo/

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In this episode, Jamie Delaney dives into his creative journey from graphic designer to award-winning director. Jamie shares his deep connection to Irish folklore and mythology, and how these ancient stories continue to shape his filmmaking today.

Currently developing his first feature film Covenant (written by Chris Wally and Frank Blake, produced by Jamie Dornan's production company and funded by Screen Ireland), Jamie offers an honest look at the challenges of getting projects off the ground and the resilience required to keep creating.

Jamie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamieskillz/

Jamie's website: https://jamiedelaney.com/

Heaven's Gate cult: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven%27s_Gate_(religious_group)

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For this debut episode of The Artist's Why, a deeply personal conversation with painter and illustrator María Sin Vergüenza (real name María Vázquez), who shares her transformative journey from advertising executive to interior design influencer to visual artist. María opens up about the fears and self-doubt that held her back from embracing her identity as an artist, the burnout that led her to Bali for a life-changing retreat, and the moment she finally gave herself permission to create freely. This episode explores the courage it takes to step away from a successful career, the importance of expressing joy through art, and why creativity is an essential part of being human.

María on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariasinverguenza/

María's website: https://mariasinverguenza.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadCy1jhz4164hssGjf4QgdsiWCZII2g56XmvSi-eIuzXEOJBgVARK13QZVr6A_aem_mCcyiOIhfVkXgx8nRLUD3g

Séraphine de Senlis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A9raphine_Louis

Yayoi Kusama: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yayoi_Kusama

Dogon people: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogon_people

Dogon art: https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/art-and-culture-of-dogon-people/

Emily Kam Kngwarry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Kam_Kngwarray

https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/emily-kam-kngwarray

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