Subtext and Discourse | Art World Podcast

Challenging traditional art hierarchies and recontextualising photography with New York gallerist Bruce Silverstein

In part two of our conversation with New York gallerist Bruce Silverstein, we delve deeper into his evolving gallery vision, his commitment to challenging traditional art hierarchies, and his dedication to championing overlooked artists. Bruce reflects on the inaugural exhibition at his new gallery location, Photographer as Sculptor, Sculptor as Photographer, which encapsulates decades of his thought on the fluidity of artistic mediums. He shares insights into how artists like Constantin Brancusi, Henry Moore and Edward Weston have blurred the lines between photography and sculpture, often using the camera as an intrinsic part of their creative process rather than just a documentary tool. The episode also covers Bruce's proactive efforts to address historical biases in the art world, particularly his work with overlooked African-American photographers from the Kamoinge group, such as Chester Higgins, and his promotion of Native American artists like Sarah Sense and Dakota Mace.  As well as the innovative approaches of contemporary artists Shinichi Maruyama and Marianne Tuijn, whose works seamlessly blend photography with performance, painting, and sculptural interventions.    Timestamps (00:00) – Introduction and welcome (02:00) – One month in new gallery location and reflecting on the move (05:49) – Photographer as Sculptor, Sculptor as Photographer exhibition (09:30) – Constantin Brancusi - Romanian sculptor, photographer, and painter (19:03) – Expanding the scope of the gallery beyond photography (25:59) – The purpose of contemporary art and our relationship to it (28:28) – Recognition of overlooked Black artists (32:33) – Kamoinge group (1963) of New York City based African American photographers (34:42) – Chester Higgins - African American photographer (37:07) – Sarah Sense and Dakota Mace - Native American artists (43:51) – Contemporary photographers redefining the medium (44:49) – Shinichi Maruyama - Japanese photographer (48:00) – Marjan Teeuwen - Dutch artist (51:31) – Future exhibitions and plans for the new gallery space   Bruce Silverstein is a leading New York gallerist specialising in modern and contemporary photography. After a successful career on Wall Street, he founded the Bruce Silverstein Gallery in 2001, quickly becoming known for his innovative exhibitions and advocacy for under-represented artists. Bruce’s curatorial approach challenges traditional boundaries, integrating photography with other art forms and re-contextualizing overlooked voices in the art world. - Bruce Silverstein Gallery official website https://brucesilverstein.com/ [https://brucesilverstein.com/] - Follow Bruce Silverstein Gallery on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brucesilverstein/ [https://www.instagram.com/brucesilverstein/]   This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World Podcast was recorded on 8. May 2025 between Perth (AU) and New York (US) with Riverside [https://www.riverside.fm/?via=michael-dooney].   Michael Dooney official website: https://www.michaeldooney.net [https://www.michaeldooney.net] Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldooney/ [https://www.instagram.com/michaeldooney/]

Joanne Leonard: Intimate Documentary, Photo Collage, and The Feminist Art Movement

Credited with inventing the "intimate documentary" style of photography, Joanne Leonard was one of the first to pivot away from street style photography adopt a more personal approach that focused on her close relationships and immediate surroundings. In this episode we delve into her unique approach that captured the daily lives of women and challenged the male gaze, her use of collage to go beyond the limits of photography, and creating work inspired by the realities of motherhood which earned her a place as a feminist art icon whose work is now celebrated in major collections worldwide. This interview coincided with Joanne's first UK solo exhibition at Hackelbury Fine Art London: Vintage Photographs and Early Collages.   Timestamps (00:00) – Introduction and welcome (02:19) – Growing up in Hollywood (05:10) – The Family of Man exhibition (07:21) – Studying photography and social sciences (08:50) – From Hollywood to Berkeley then Oakland, California (11:48) – "Intimate Documentary" approach to photography (16:37) – Exhibiting at the de Young Museum, San Francisco (19:44) – Teaching photography throughout the Bay area (20:56) – Working with Collage (22:15) – The Journal of Miscarriage (27:56) – Being part of the Feminist Art Movement (31:40) – Managing motherhood and being an artist (34:29) – Gaining recognition later in life (37:00) – Advice for photographers and artists (39:42) – Official Winter Olympic Photographer for the USA in 1972 (44:21) – The Impact of Technology on American Life, NEA Grant (48:42) – The Newspaper Diaries   Joanne Leonard is an American photographer, photo collage artist, and feminist based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is known for her innovative "intimate documentary" approach to photography, focusing on family, friends, and immediate surroundings. Her work delves into often overlooked aspects of women's lives, memory, and personal history, while also engaging with larger movements in feminism, civil rights, and social justice Leonard was a professor at the University of Michigan for 31 years, retiring in 2009 after dedicating 40 years to teaching as a college professor. Her work has been included in major art history textbooks like Janson's History of Art and Gardner's Art Through the Ages, and is held in significant collections worldwide, including MoMA, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Victoria & Albert Museum. - Joanne Leonard official website: https://beinginpictures.com/ [https://beinginpictures.com/]   HackelBury presents the first UK solo exhibition by acclaimed artist, Joanne Leonard. Vintage Photographs and Early Collages features photographs from the 1960s and 1970s and unique early collage pieces from the 1970s and 1980s. This retrospective offers an intimate look into Leonard’s artistic evolution and her innovative approach to visual storytelling.  - HackelBury Fine Art official website: https://hackelbury.co.uk/ [https://hackelbury.co.uk/] - Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/hackelburyfineart/ [https://www.instagram.com/hackelburyfineart/] - Joanne Leonard: Vintage Photographs and Early Collages: https://hackelbury.co.uk/exhibitions/127-joanne-leonard-vintage-photographs-and-early-collages/overview/ [https://hackelbury.co.uk/exhibitions/127-joanne-leonard-vintage-photographs-and-early-collages/overview/]   Other mentioned resources: - Hyperallergic article: https://hyperallergic.com/910133/joanne-leonard-miscarriage-collages-that-were-too-much-for-the-art-world/ [https://hyperallergic.com/910133/joanne-leonard-miscarriage-collages-that-were-too-much-for-the-art-world/] - Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/jun/04/joanne-leonard-best-photograph-marriage-intimacy [https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/jun/04/joanne-leonard-best-photograph-marriage-intimacy]   This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World Podcast was recorded on 12. June 2025 between Perth (AU) and Michigan (US) with Riverside [https://www.riverside.fm/?via=michael-dooney]. Portrait photo by Eleanor Rubin.    Michael Dooney official website: https://www.michaeldooney.net [https://www.michaeldooney.net] Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldooney/ [https://www.instagram.com/michaeldooney/]

Photo Basel 10th Anniversary Edition with Sven Eisenhut-hug and Elwira Spychalska

What does it take to build and sustain Switzerland’s first and only international art fair dedicated to photography? In this episode, Michael Dooney is joined by Sven Eisenhut-Hug (co-founder and director of Photo Basel) and Elwira Spychalska (art historian and artistic director of Photo Basel) to mark the fairs 10th anniversary. Together they discuss the evolution of Photo Basel, the challenges of curating a global photography platform and meeting the needs of different audiences, key aspects of this boutique art fair, and how Photo Basel fosters meaningful connections between galleries, collectors, and the public.   Timestamps (00:00) – Introduction and welcome (01:27) – Entry to photography before Photo Basel (03:19) – Photo Basel, boutique family owned art fair (06:18) – How was it starting a new art fair in Basel? (08:06) – The first and still the only photography specific fair in Switzerland (09:37) – When did Photo Basel come into its own?  (12:31) – Constantly growing and evolving the fair with each new edition (14:05) – Beyond Photography parcours (15:40) – Curating a selection of galleries to meet the different faces of photography (20:18) – Unexpected works presented in the Beyond Photography parcours (22:05) – Novum parcours (never before exhibited work) (27:52) – The new generation of photography collectors (31:13) – Guided tours and education about photography collecting (32:50) – Maurice de Mauriac Award (34:42) – SIYU Award - Emerging Swiss Photography Talent Prize (37:38) – Featured Panel Talk: Emerging Artists, Galleries and the Art Market (39:00) – Photo Basel and Positions Berlin partnership (42:28) – Advice for first time visitors to Photo Basel and photography fairs   photo basel is is Switzerland’s first and only international art fair dedicated to photography-based art. To mark its 10th anniversary edition, photo basel welcomes 39 galleries from 15 countries. More than 450 photographic positions by over 150 artists will be shown from the 17th to 22nd of June 2025.  photo basel official website: https://www.photo-basel.com/ [https://www.photo-basel.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photobasel/ [https://www.instagram.com/photobasel/]   Sven Eisenhut-Hug is a Basel-based entrepreneur renowned for his significant contributions to the art world, particularly in the realm of photography. Born and raised in Basel, Switzerland, he co-founded photo basel in 2015 and Art Salon Zürich in 2022, establishing the country's first and only international art fair dedicated to photography. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sveneisenhut/ [https://www.instagram.com/sveneisenhut/]   Elwira Spychalska is an art historian specialising in photography, based in Basel. She works across several museums in the city and is currently the artistic director of photo basel. Her practice moves between curatorial work, research, and writing, engaging with both historical archives and contemporary image cultures. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_elwira/ [https://www.instagram.com/_elwira/]   This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World Podcast was recorded on 2. June 2025 between Perth (AU) and Basel (CH) with Riverside [https://www.riverside.fm/?via=michael-dooney].   Michael Dooney official website: https://www.michaeldooney.net [https://www.michaeldooney.net] Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldooney/ [https://www.instagram.com/michaeldooney/]

From Conflict Zones to Community Change: Mark Neville on Photography as Activism

What happens when photography becomes a tool for social change rather than just documentation? In this episode, Michael Dooney speaks with acclaimed British photographer and artist Mark Neville about his journey from art school to the front-lines of conflict, and how he uses collaborative photography projects to empower communities, challenge social norms, and effect real-world impact. Neville shares stories from his time as an official war artist in Afghanistan, discusses the making of influential projects like The Port Glasgow Book Project and Stop Tanks With Books, and reflects on his ongoing work in Ukraine. Listeners will gain insights into the ethics of documentary practice, the power of art as activism, and what it means to make photography for—and with—the people it represents.   Timestamps (00:00) – Introduction and welcome (01:49) – Artist and photographer living and working in the Ukraine (04:54) – The Port Glasgow Book Project: Art for the community (08:04) – Getting attention of the art world (12:00) – Turning point towards a social engaged artistic practice (14:42) – Stop Tanks with Books Project: Art as activism in Ukraine (17:56) – Russian invasion of Ukriane (20:55) – Postcode Ukraine Charity (25:06) – War Artist in Helmand, Afghanistan (27:33) – Battle Against Stigma, book project (33:34) – Invitation to start making work in Ukraine (34:54) – Diary of a Volunteer, book project (37:51) – Individual experiences of Postcard Ukraine charity members (39:48) – Support for Ukrainian people (42:06) – How can listeners learn more and get involved?   Mark Neville (b. 1966, London) is a British artist and photographer renowned for his socially engaged practice at the intersection of art, documentary, and activism. His projects often involve close collaboration with communities, aiming to empower subjects and address issues such as inequality, mental health, and conflict. Notable works include The Port Glasgow Book Project, Battle Against Stigma, Fancy Pictures, and Stop Tanks With Books. Neville has exhibited internationally, worked as an official war artist in Afghanistan, and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize by The New York Times in 2012.   Mark Neville official website: https://www.markneville.com/ [https://www.markneville.com/]  Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/marknevillestudio/ [https://www.instagram.com/marknevillestudio/] Postcode Ukraine: https://www.postcodeukraine.com/ [https://www.postcodeukraine.com/]   This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World Podcast was recorded on 28. March 2025 between Perth (AU) and Ukraine with Riverside [https://www.riverside.fm/?via=michael-dooney].   Michael Dooney official website: https://www.michaeldooney.net [https://www.michaeldooney.net] Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldooney/ [https://www.instagram.com/michaeldooney/]

Leaving Wall Street to open an art gallery in Chelsea, New York - Bruce Silverstein

This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World podcast is brought to you by AIPAD and The Photography Show. AIPAD represents fine art photography galleries around the world and is proud to present the 2025 edition of its flagship event, The Photography Show. The fair will showcase photography from the earliest processes to cutting-edge contemporary work that pushes the boundaries of the medium, from April 23 – 27 at The Park Avenue Armory in New York City. Go to www.aipad.com/show [http://www.aipad.com/show] for more information and to plan your visit.   The Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD) encourages public support of fine art photography through education and communication by enhancing the confidence of the public in responsible photography collecting. First organized in 1979, AIPAD and its current members span the globe with members in North and South America, Australia, Europe and Asia. AIPAD has become a unifying force in the field of photography and is dedicated to creating and maintaining high standards in the business of exhibiting, buying and selling photographs as art. - AIPAD official website https://www.aipad.com/ [https://www.aipad.com/] - Follow AIPAD on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aipadphoto/ [https://www.instagram.com/aipadphoto/] - Talks programme by AIPAD on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@aipadphoto [https://www.youtube.com/@aipadphoto]   Established in 2001, the Bruce Silverstein Gallery’s principal focus is the representation of an international roster of contemporary artists as well as established artists of great influence. The gallery is committed to discovering, examining, and contextualising known and unknown artworks by modern masters as well as innovative artists of today. The gallery strives to provide a venue for dialogue across all art forms, while specialising in modern and contemporary photography. - Bruce Silverstein Gallery official website https://brucesilverstein.com/ [https://brucesilverstein.com/] - Member page on AIPAD https://www.aipad.com/member/bruce-silverstein-gallery [https://www.aipad.com/member/bruce-silverstein-gallery] - Follow Bruce Silverstein Gallery on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brucesilverstein/ [https://www.instagram.com/brucesilverstein/]   Michael Dooney https://beacons.ai/michaeldooney [https://beacons.ai/michaeldooney] This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World Podcast was recorded on 11. April 2025 between Perth (AU) and New York (US) with Riverside [https://www.riverside.fm/?via=michael-dooney].