Jo's Art History Podcast

Hello and welcome back to Jo’s Art History Podcast. This episode is part of a special five part series, produced in collaboration with British Art Fair and PensionBee, celebrating five artists who’ve found a second act in life through their creative practice. Their work will be shown as part of the Born To exhibition at British Art Fair this September.The ArtistKas Williams drew and painted constantly as a child, but was written off academically in the school system of the 1960s, and spent years in what she calls mundane office jobs. A chance conversation in her mid-twenties prompted her to try art college, something she describes as the first time she chose creativity over safety. Four years studying textiles changed her life, and in between periods of study she worked across an extraordinary range of jobs to keep her art alive. At 63 she returned to education to complete a Masters in Textiles, and now in her seventies, she describes her creative drive as as strong as ever.Featured works: The Random Flight of Bees and Gothic BloomWebsite: www.kaswilliams.com Instagram: @kaswilliamsPensionBeeThis episode’s PensionBee segment asks: why do we need to know about the gender pension gap?Thank you to our partner PensionBee, a leading online pension provider on a mission to build pension confidence so that everyone can enjoy a happy retirement. PensionBee’s exciting campaign ‘Born to Retire’ highlights how retirement isn’t the end of your life, it’s just the beginning. In celebration of this campaign, PensionBee is holding a feature exhibition ‘Born To’ at British Art Fair, showcasing what becomes possible when financial security gives people the freedom to pursue their passions. Curated by me, Jo McLaughlin, presenter of Jo’s Art History, the artists featured are all aged 50 and over, with practices that reflect longevity, reinvention, or sustained creative ambition. Discover the exhibition from 24 to 27 September at the Saatchi Gallery, London.PensionBee’s monthly podcast, The Pension Confident Podcast, aims to help listeners better understand the world of personal finance and pensions. Listen or watch the full episodes on YouTube. Their website and award-winning app help savers understand pensions with helpful tools like their Pension Calculator, blogs, and videos. With PensionBee, you can manage your pension savings online with ease and can combine and contribute from one place. Self-employed pension savers can even open a flexible pension plan, contributing as often or as little as they like. Take control of your retirement today with PensionBee.When investing, your money is at risk.Thank you for listening to Jo's Art History Podcast.

Hello and welcome back to Jo’s Art History Podcast. This episode is part of a special five part series, produced in collaboration with British Art Fair and PensionBee, celebrating five artists who’ve found a second act in life through their creative practice. Their work will be shown as part of the Born To exhibition at British Art Fair this September.The ArtistRichard Wilshire studied Art and Design at university in the 1990s, but found himself pulled into the early digital media industry, designing websites, and gradually moving away from making into management and strategy. By the early 2020s he felt something was missing, and began making again quietly in his garden garage, working with offcuts of wood and found objects. This year Richard was shortlisted for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, a significant milestone for a practice that, until now, has existed mostly on his website and Instagram. This will be his first public showing.Featured works: Nature vs Nurture, Waveform, Autumn Oak & Four Letter WordWebsite: www.richardwilshire.com Instagram: @richardwilshirePensionBeeThis episode’s PensionBee segment asks: why do women need to engage with their pensions even more?Thank you to our partner PensionBee, a leading online pension provider on a mission to build pension confidence so that everyone can enjoy a happy retirement. PensionBee’s exciting campaign ‘Born to Retire’ highlights how retirement isn’t the end of your life, it’s just the beginning. In celebration of this campaign, PensionBee is holding a feature exhibition ‘Born To’ at British Art Fair, showcasing what becomes possible when financial security gives people the freedom to pursue their passions. Curated by me, Jo McLaughlin, presenter of Jo’s Art History, the artists featured are all aged 50 and over, with practices that reflect longevity, reinvention, or sustained creative ambition. Discover the exhibition from 24 to 27 September at the Saatchi Gallery, London.PensionBee’s monthly podcast, The Pension Confident Podcast, aims to help listeners better understand the world of personal finance and pensions. Listen or watch the full episodes on YouTube. Their website and award-winning app help savers understand pensions with helpful tools like their Pension Calculator, blogs, and videos. With PensionBee, you can manage your pension savings online with ease and can combine and contribute from one place. Self-employed pension savers can even open a flexible pension plan, contributing as often or as little as they like. Visit PensionBee to feel inspired.When investing, your money is at risk.Thank you for listening to Jo's Art History Podcast.

Hello and welcome back to Jo’s Art History Podcast. This episode is part of a special five part series, produced in collaboration with British Art Fair and PensionBee, celebrating five artists who’ve found a second act in life through their creative practice. Their work will be shown as part of the Born To exhibition at British Art Fair this September in London.The artistMyrna Mitchell, who works under the name Myrna Tracy Ceramics, spent 20 years living in the UAE, returning to the UK in 2011 with a young family. A pottery class she joined as a hobby soon became a life changing new direction. In 2019 she returned to education as a mature student, completing an Art Foundation and then a Creative Arts Practice degree at Bath Spa University, graduating with First Class Honours in 2022 and receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award. Since then she’s been selected for the British Ceramics Biennial Fresh, the John Ruskin Prize, Sotheby’s Secret Ceramics, and London Craft Week. Her work explores identity, belonging, and the stories objects carry, rooted in her own experience of displacement and return.Featured works: Kiss and Dancing for JoyWebsite: www.myrnatracyceramics.com Instagram: @myrnatracyceramicsThis episode’s PensionBee segment asks: why do the self-employed need to get their pension game sorted?Thank you to our partner PensionBee, a leading online pension provider on a mission to build pension confidence so that everyone can enjoy a happy retirement. PensionBee’s exciting campaign ‘Born to Retire’ highlights how retirement isn’t the end of your life, it’s just the beginning. In celebration of this campaign, PensionBee is holding a feature exhibition ‘Born To’ at British Art Fair, showcasing what becomes possible when financial security gives people the freedom to pursue their passions. Curated by me, Jo McLaughlin, presenter of Jo’s Art History, the artists featured are all aged 50 and over, with practices that reflect longevity, reinvention, or sustained creative ambition. Discover the exhibition from 24 to 27 September at the Saatchi Gallery, London.PensionBee’s monthly podcast, The Pension Confident Podcast, aims to help listeners better understand the world of personal finance and pensions. Listen or watch the full episodes on YouTube. Their website and award-winning app help savers understand pensions with helpful tools like their Pension Calculator, blogs, and videos. With PensionBee, you can manage your pension savings online with ease and can combine and contribute from one place. Self-employed pension savers can even open a flexible pension plan, contributing as often or as little as they like. Take control of your retirement today with PensionBee.When investing, your money is at risk.

Hello and welcome back to Jo’s Art History Podcast. This episode is part of a special five part series, produced in collaboration with British Art Fair and PensionBee, celebrating five artists who’ve found a second act in life through their creative practice. Their work will be shown as part of the Born To exhibition at British Art Fair this September.The ArtistMike Kelly spent a long career in corporate consulting, with photography always running in the background. After seeing his daughter fall in love with her time studying at Manchester Metropolitan University, Mike enrolled in the same MA in Photography, starting the course the same year she finished it. He went in without expectations, and has since been amazed by how warm and inclusive he’s found the environment despite his age. In a short space of time he’s picked up awards, commissions including a large scale piece for Manchester School of Art, solo exhibitions, and a show at the Mall Galleries in London. He even sold his first piece of artwork to a curator during the application process for this very exhibition.Featured worksThreshold V & Threshold II, both UV cured photographic prints on GF Smith PikeWebsite: www.mikeakelly.com Instagram: @mikeakelly.workPensionBeeThis episode’s PensionBee segment asks: Why do you need to consolidate your old pensions?Thank you to our partner PensionBee, a leading online pension provider on a mission to build pension confidence so that everyone can enjoy a happy retirement. PensionBee’s exciting campaign ‘Born to Retire’ highlights how retirement isn’t the end of your life, it’s just the beginning. In celebration of this campaign, PensionBee is holding a feature exhibition ‘Born To’ at British Art Fair, showcasing what becomes possible when financial security gives people the freedom to pursue their passions. Curated by me, Jo McLaughlin, presenter of Jo’s Art History, the artists featured are all aged 50 and over, with practices that reflect longevity, reinvention, or sustained creative ambition. Discover the exhibition from 24 to 27 September at the Saatchi Gallery, London.PensionBee’s monthly podcast, The Pension Confident Podcast, aims to help listeners better understand the world of personal finance and pensions. Listen or watch the full episodes on YouTube. Their website and award-winning app help savers understand pensions with helpful tools like their Pension Calculator, blogs, and videos. With PensionBee, you can manage your pension savings online with ease and can combine and contribute from one place. Self-employed pension savers can even open a flexible pension plan, contributing as often or as little as they like. Find out how PensionBee can help you retire well.When investing, your money is at risk.Thank you for listening & supporting Jo's Art History Podcast

Hello and welcome back to Jo’s Art History Podcast!This episode is part of a special five part series, produced in collaboration with British Art Fair and PensionBee, celebrating five artists who’ve found a second act in life through their creative practice. Their work will be shown as part of the Born To exhibition at British Art Fair this September.The Artist:Annie Luke Turner trained as a nurse and spent years juggling work with raising three neurodiverse children. She started an Art Foundation when her youngest was just three, but it wasn’t until she left her marriage at 52, and later left her job after Covid, that she was able to focus fully on her own art. She describes the last six years as everything finally coming together, and she now paints every day. Annie recently won the Abstract Women in Art Prize, has a solo show coming up at Hampstead School of Art, and a residency lined up. This will be her first time showing her work in London.Featured works: 'Staffa' and 'Corryvreckan 1'Connect with the Artist: www.annieluketurnerartist.com | Instagram: @annieluketurnerartistPensionBeeThis episode’s PensionBee segment asks: Why do I need a pension?Thank you to our partner PensionBee, a leading online pension provider on a mission to build pension confidence so that everyone can enjoy a happy retirement. PensionBee’s exciting campaign ‘Born to Retire’ highlights how retirement isn’t the end of your life, it’s just the beginning. In celebration of this campaign, PensionBee is holding a feature exhibition ‘Born To’ at British Art Fair, showcasing what becomes possible when financial security gives people the freedom to pursue their passions. Curated by me, Jo McLaughlin, presenter of Jo’s Art History, the artists featured are all aged 50 and over, with practices that reflect longevity, reinvention, or sustained creative ambition. Discover the exhibition from 24 to 27 September at the Saatchi Gallery, London.PensionBee’s monthly podcast, The Pension Confident Podcast, aims to help listeners better understand the world of personal finance and pensions. Listen or watch the full episodes on YouTube. Their website and award-winning app help savers understand pensions with helpful tools like their Pension Calculator, blogs, and videos. With PensionBee, you can manage your pension savings online with ease and can combine and contribute from one place. Self-employed pension savers can even open a flexible pension plan, contributing as often or as little as they like. Find out how PensionBee can help you retire well.When investing, your money is at risk.Thank you for listening to Jo's Art History Podcast