In the inaugural episode of The Art Newspaper's podcast series of conversations with artists, host Ben Luke talks to Michael Armitage about his life and work through his cultural experiences: the artists, living and long gone, who he most admires; the art he has pinned to his studio wall; the museum that holds endless inspiration; the writers he returns to; the music he plays as he paints in the studio; the rituals of his daily practice. We learn about the unique fusion of East African and European culture at the heart of Armitage's paintings, explore the ways that the art of the past can infuse the present day; and ultimately ponder the wonderful, yet at times absurd, act of painting. This episode is sponsored by Cork Street Galleries.

Links for this episode.

Michael Armitage at White Cube

Meek Gichugu at Red Hill Art Gallery

Chalenge van Rampelberg at Urban Africans

Goya’s Black Paintings in the Prado

Our podcast, A brush with… Julie Mehretu

Detailed report on the conservation of Titian’s Assumption of the Virgin in the Basilica dei Frari, Venice

The National Gallery, London

Velázquez’s Immaculate Conception at the National Gallery

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o

Chinua Achebe article in the New Yorker

Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor

Article on the Spotify playlist for this and the other episodes of the first series of A brush with… including Michael’s musical inspirations

Titian’s Pietà in the Accademia, Venice

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