Studio Confidential

In this STUDIO CONFIDENTIAL episode, Albert and I spoke about travel, living and working abroad and taking opportunities to photograph.    Living in Seoul he takes to the streets and makes photographic studies which you can see here.  We explored the difference between taking photographs to make beautiful pictures versus the endeavour to put yourself - as an artists - into your work and allow it to become a representation of your perspective and thoughts.  It is with huge gratitude to Albert and my patrons for making this work possible!     Please help me to keep these podcasts uninterrupted and AD free by making a monthly donation on Patreon. Alternatively if you loved an episode and wish to pay one forward you can do so via my website.

Sikhumbuzo Makandula an Eastern Cape based interdisciplinary artist, and head of the Photography Department at Rhodes University, and I spoke about his new project. The work looks at lesser known histories of the Amahlumbi tribes and is looking at the archives of Duggan-Cronin's photographs for the Bantu tribes of South Africa (1928-1954) . He speaks about what it means to work with community, a slow photographic process in today's era of instant image-making and how being filmed making his work helps him to gain perspective of how he engages with the place and subjects.  It is with huge gratitude to Skums and my patrons for making this work possible! If you loved an episode and wish to support a future one please help me to keep these podcasts uninterrupted and AD-free by making a monthly donation on Patreon or on my website www.moniquepelser.com

Ian Grose a Cape Town-based artist spoke about a transformative moment he had on a residency that carved out a new trajectory in his career. He is a Stevenson artist and currently has an exhibition on show. https://www.stevenson.info/exhibition... He generously shared about his experiences and strategies how to manage his energy and focus in his studio and practice allowing him to be as prolific as he is. Portrait picture credit: Johno Mellish It is with huge gratitude to Ian and my patrons for making this work possible! If you loved an episode and wish to support a future one please help me to keep these podcasts uninterrupted and AD-free by making a monthly donation on Patreon or on my website www.moniquepelser.com

Nandipha Mntambo and I spoke about what it was like to be a student and engage in studio practice in the days before social media and what it is like to mentor and teach art students who have to navigate that space these days.  We discuss how important it is to have a space of experimentation where you can make mistakes and explore and find new ways of working. It is with huge gratitude to Nandipha and my patrons on PATREON for making this work possible!  If you loved an episode and want to make a donation to a future interview please feel free so do so via Patron or my website.     #nandiphamntambo #inconversation #moniquepelserstudio #artistmentor #artpodcast 

In this first episode of the THIRD SEASON OF STUDIO CONFIDENTIAL Jonas Vansteenkiste and I discuss the importance of creating studio time, how art can perform as a mirror and the value of working in collaboration. Jonas and I met in Paris at the Cité des Artes in 2018 and we went on to be participants in the GoGo Collective. Jonas speaks to how each country has it's own bubble and what he gained coming together as a group of international artists.   It is with huge gratitude to Jonas and my patrons on PATREON for making this work possible!  If you loved an episode and want to make a donation to a future interview please feel free so do so via Patron or my website.  

In this STUDIO CONFIDENTIAL episode, Hangula and I spoke about how to remain motivated in a self-driven career.  We asked the question: does the battle for money and motivation go hand-in-hand? It is with huge gratitude to my patrons for making this work possible!     Please help me to keep these podcasts uninterrupted and AD free by making a monthly donation on Patreon.

In this STUDIO CONFIDENTIAL episode, Jaco speaks about what it means to grab opportunity and make the most out of what you have. In true form he is currently commuting between Cape Town where he lives and Melville, Johannesburg where he has a studio.    It is with huge gratitude to my patrons for making this work possible!     Please help me to keep these podcasts uninterrupted and AD free by making a monthly donation on Patreon.

Carl Becker and I first met in 2010 when a friend introduced us and informed us we were working on the same project. We had both been on separate missions tracing the steps of JH Pierneef when he painted the infamous Johannesburg Station Panels.   A year or so later Carl kindly invited me to collaborate on a show with him at the University of Stellenbosch Gallery in 2012. That show then toured all over the country ending up at Durban Art Gallery and Oliewenhuis Art Museum. The catalogue we published featured a story by Ivan Vladaslavic.  It is with huge gratitude to my patrons for making this work possible!     Please help me to keep these podcasts uninterrupted and AD free by making a monthly donation on Patreon.

Jane Appleby a Cape Town-based artist shares her process of, how after a 20-year break in artmaking, she took the leap and plunge into producing full-time. She currently supports herself with the sales of her artworks. She so generously shared how she shifts her value system and gears herself every day before she heads to her studio.   It is with huge gratitude to my patrons for making this work possible!     Please help me to keep these podcasts uninterrupted and AD-free by making a monthly donation on Patreon.

Kate Arthur shares candidly about a relationship between herself and a tree outside her studio window as we discuss the value of slowing down and of play, in studio practice.  Kate is an artist based in the Natal Midlands in South Africa. Massive thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for making this work possible and AD FREE. If you loved one and want to pay it forward for the next episode click here.

Lauren Theunissen spoke about the inner critic and where she is at in her career. Lauren is a Michaelis graduate, Tierney Fellow for photography, artist, and educator who is currently establishing her career from a business perspective. Massive thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for making this work possible and AD FREE. If you loved one and want to pay it forward for the next episode click here.

Inge Prins spoke about being activated and what it takes to follow a project through. She shares how she maintains focus and energy in her busy career. Thank you for listening! I have a PATREON page. If you loved an episode and would like to support a future one please consider donating $3. Your support helps!  

Brent Meistre and I spoke about the motivation for making work not being in fame or fortune but in the process of making. You can view his works and projects here. Massive thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for making this work possible and AD FREE. If you loved one and want to pay it forward for the next episode click here.

Oscar O'Ryan and Louise Coetzer are Darkroom Contemporary. We chatted about disruptive practice and their collaboration that produces screen dance. We also explored what it takes to keep a company and one's practice on the edge.  Massive thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for making this work possible and AD FREE. If you loved one and want to pay it forward for the next episode click here.

Photographic artist, academic, and my good friend Juan chatted about making work as a nomad and the ideas around originality for this episode of STUDIO CONFIDENTIAL. Massive thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for making this work possible and AD FREE. If you loved one and want to pay it forward for the next episode click here.

Sarah Blood is a sculptor working in neon, a lecturer at Alfred University, and has a prolific art-making career. We spoke about what drives her and how she sustains her practice and her life with her catchphrase: ALWAYS BE BOTHERED. Massive thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for making this work possible and AD FREE. If you loved one and want to pay it forward for the next episode click here. Or on PayPal on my website at www.moniquepelser.com.

In part 2 of our conversation Richard Pepperman and I speak about how to stop being guarded as an artist and storyteller and, despite how frightening the process of making is, real courage is to go ahead anyway and start the project.  You can find Richard's books here for further reading. https://mwp.com/product-author/richard-d-pepperman/ Massive thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for making this work possible and AD FREE. If you loved one and want to pay it forward for the next episode click here.  

I met with Richard Pepperman my teacher from the School of Visual Arts film school, a film editor and author.  We spoke about storytelling, how to approach your career, and the value of work: getting right into it and working to develop as an artist and as a person. Richard shares his experience and drops so many pearls of wisdom. You can find Richard's books here for further reading. https://mwp.com/product-author/richard-d-pepperman/ Massive thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for making this work possible and AD FREE. If you loved one and want to pay it forward for the next episode click here.  

Patreon for making this work possible and AD FREE. If you loved one and want to pay it forward for the next episode click here.

Cedric Nunn and I met up and spoke about what it means to make a body of photographic work over a long period of time, and, what it means to let a project distill. He dropped some pearls of wisdom. Take a listen. It is with huge gratitude to my patrons on Patreon for making this work possible! If you loved an episode and would like to pay it forward and support the next one please make a donation.