Who Arted: Weekly Art History for All Ages

I interviewed Ephraim Urevbu a contemporary artist based in Memphis Tennessee. He shared his life experiences growing up in Nigeria then coming to the United States to study art and the ways the US did and did not fit with his expectations. We discussed his painting E Pluribus Unum and his work on The Naked Truth Project which seeks to spark conversations for an honest telling of America's history. One of the things that I really loved about speaking with Urevbu was his ability to discuss serious and painful truth while simultaneously recognizing the good and hope for the future. Find Ephraim Urevbu online: Website: https://www.nakedtruthartproject.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nakedtruthartgallery/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nakedtruthart?_t=8naZtXnPwNz&_r=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Nakedtruthartproject/61551355179539/ Check out my new favorite history podcast, Calm History: Want to dive even deeper into history? Try the podcast Calm History You'll learn about famous explorers, leaders, inventions, civilizations and ancient wonders all narrated in a calm voice to help you relax or fall asleep. Find Calm History on your favorite podcast app: https://podfollow.com/calm-history Check out my other podcasts Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fun fact: almost as soon as people started walking on the moon, they started to put art on the moon. In 1969, NASA landed the first astronauts on the moon. It was a relatively short stay given the distance they had traveled to get there and the years of work preparing for the voyage. Most people don’t know this, but just a few years later, the Apollo 15 crew left an astronaut behind to remain on the moon since 1971.  It all started here on earth at a dinner party. Paul van Hoeydonck a Belgian artist known for his paintings and prints, was attending a dinner parity where he met David Scott, one of the astronauts slated to go to the moon on the Apollo 15 mission. As they were talking they started thinking about the monumental achievement of putting people in outer space and on the moon, all the teams of scientists working for years building off the work of previous generations and of course those who had made the ultimate sacrifice losing their lives in the pursuit of advancing space exploration. Check out my other podcast Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this episode, I interviewed Chris Boylan, an expert on Oceanic Art. He explained a little bit of history about The Laiagam Stone, an incredible carved piece created thousands of years ago by the people of Papua New Guinea. The Laiagam Stone is often compared to the Ambum Stone as both are roughly the same size with similar features and they are likely around the same age. Chris Boylan explained what we know of the history of both stones including how dropping and breaking the Ambum Stone lead to an accidental discovery that allowed scientists to date the stone as being at least 3500 years old. Find more from Chris Boylan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceanicart_chrisboylan TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oceanicart_chrisboylan Website: https://www.chrisboylan.com.au/ Press Kit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13UL2EliP6LSrXlxKfv_5jEFleq9S_niH?usp=drive_link Check out my other podcasts Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

China's Longmen Caves or Longmen Grottos are a UNESCO world heritage site. Starting in the 5th century CE, artists chiseled away at the limestone carving out around 2300 caves and 110,000 statues. Because they were constructed over such a long period, the sculptures in the Longmen Caves not only reflect the religious tradition, but they track changes in artistic style over the centuries. Related episode: Sand Mandalas Check out my other podcasts Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Alexander Mosaic, also known as the Battle of Issus Mosaic, is a masterpiece of ancient Roman artistry that continues to captivate viewers with its detailed depiction of a pivotal moment in history. Unearthed in the House of the Faun in Pompeii, this intricate mosaic offers a glimpse into the military prowess, political ambition, and cultural exchange of the ancient world. The mosaic captures the dramatic clash between Alexander the Great of Macedon and Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Issus in 333 BCE. The scene is filled with action, showcasing the chaos and intensity of the battlefield. Alexander, depicted on horseback, charges towards Darius, who recoils in fear on his chariot. The mosaic portrays the emotional turmoil of the moment, with soldiers engaged in fierce combat, fallen horses, and the palpable sense of impending doom for the Persian army. Check out my new favorite history podcast, Calm History: Want to dive even deeper into history? Try the podcast Calm History You'll learn about famous explorers, leaders, inventions, civilizations and ancient wonders all narrated in a calm voice to help you relax or fall asleep. Find Calm History on your favorite podcast app: https://podfollow.com/calm-history Check out my other podcasts Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rene Magritte's painting, Son of Man, is among the most famous images of the Surrealist Movement. It is one of the few artworks that transcends the museum and has become a part of pop culture. Actually, technically it isn’t even in the museums. Son of Man is privately owned and rarely seen on public display, but it has been referenced in books, movies like Stranger than Fiction and The Thomas Crown Affair, tv shows like The Simpsons, music videos by the likes of Michael Jackson. Of course, listeners of this show no doubt recognize that the painting was also the inspiration for the greatest pop culture image of all time, my podcast cover art. Related episodes: Rene Magritte | The False Mirror (full episode) Salvador Dali | The Persistence of Memory Check out my other podcasts  Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss" is an iconic Art Nouveau painting, renowned for its use of gold leaf and intricate patterns. The painting depicts a couple embracing in a passionate kiss, their bodies adorned with abstract designs that symbolize interconnectedness and the natural world. While the identities of the figures are unclear, the painting has been interpreted as representing mythological figures, Klimt and his companion Emilie Floge, or a more allegorical representation of love. The painting's symbolism, including floral motifs and the gold halo effect, contribute to its spiritual dimension. The Kiss sold immediately after Klimt painted it. In 1908, the Austrian Government bought it for their Moderne Galerie. They paid 25,000 crowns which would be the equivalent of about $240,000 today. That was 5 times higher than the price paid for any painting in Vienna up until that time. It quickly became one of Klimt's most celebrated works extremely popular beyond the fine art world. "The Kiss" has permeated popular culture, appearing in countless reproductions, adaptations, and homages. Its iconic image has been used in advertising, fashion, and even movies. Check out my other podcasts Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Roberto Matta was a Chilean born artist whose life and work transcended boundaries. He was always looking to explore new ideas, push his work further and to astonish. As he said, “A landscape is at peace whenever there is no visible catastrophe and yet ecologically it is violent and devouring. One must grasp what lies behind appearance.” Check out my other podcast Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From 1912 to 1948, medals were awarded for artistic creations inspired by sport, alongside those for athletic prowess. This unique fusion of disciplines was the brainchild of Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, who envisioned the Games as a celebration of both physical and intellectual pursuits. Coubertin's vision for the modern Olympics extended far beyond athleticism. He believed in the holistic development of the individual, emphasizing the importance of both physical and intellectual pursuits. This philosophy stemmed from his deep admiration for the ancient Greek ideal of "kalokagathia," which represented the harmonious balance of body and mind. In 1894, Coubertin's efforts culminated in the establishment of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. The art competitions were introduced at the 1912 Stockholm Games, featuring five categories: architecture, literature, music, painting, and sculpture. A total of 146 artists were awarded Olympic medals for their artistic creations between 1912 and 1948. Check out my other podcasts Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An artist’s skillful application of paint will make an artwork good, but a good story makes that artwork great. In 2010, a painting went on auction at Sotheby’s and sold for $1.5 million and I would argue that price is not because of the image, or the artist, but rather the story. Harry Hahn was an American pilot fighting in World War 1. He was fortunate to not only survive the brutal war, but also while serving overseas, he met the love of his life. He married a French woman named Andree Lardoux. Her aunt, the Comtesse Louise de Montaut decided to give the young couple one of the old paintings in her collection as a wedding present. This gift seemed particularly special as a French connoisseur by the name of George Sortais had examined the painting in 1916 and he had declared it to be the work of none other than Leonardo da Vinci. Check out my other podcast Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is about Arthur Boyd the Australian painter known for his use of symbols from mythology to express his philosophical views. My guest this week was Matthew Bliss, a podcaster and producer. Check out his work at https://matthewbliss.net/from-my-home-to-yours Check out my other podcast Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Wyeth was the son of a successful illustrator. Wyeth is best known for his painting "Christina's World" which is among the few artworks to leap from the museum walls to popular culture as it has been referenced in numerous photos, TV shows and movies. The painting was inspired by Wyeth's neighbor who was unable to walk but chose to crawl rather than use a wheel chair. He was inspired as he saw Christina crawling across her family farm to make her way back home. The expansive field serves as a powerful symbol of Christina's vulnerability and isolation. Still, he created the composition from a worm's eye view so that we the viewers are not looking down upon Christina. We are invited to see the world through her eyes and look up at the scene and the house that seems so far off on the horizon. Check out my other podcasts  Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bosko Hrnjak is a multidisciplinary artist best known for his tiki inspired wood carvings and ceramics. In this episode, he was kind enough to sit down and share a bit about his artistic journey. We talked about his inspiration growing up in California surrounded by mid century modern tiki. He also shared a lot of the history and development from Polynesian roots to pop culture. Bosko also shared insights into his methods both in wood carving and ceramics. Find Bosko online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tikibosko/ Website: https://www.tikibosko.com Documentary: https://rebirthoftiki.com/watch (trailer: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/boskoandtherebirthoftiki ) Check out my other podcasts Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shigeru Miyamoto has developed some of the most popular games of all time including Mario which is the most successful game franchise ever. Mario has actually been in 250 videogames and The Super Mario Brothers movie was the first major motion picture ever made based on a videogame. Well maybe that one was a little regrettable, but I’m sure the next Mario movie will be great.  Interestingly though, Miyamoto’s big break came largely by accident. When he was first hired by Nintendo, he was making designs for their game cabinets. Nintendo had grossly overestimated the popularity of a game called Radar Scope and found themselves with 2,000 cabinets in need of a new game. They wanted to make a Popeye game, but couldn’t get the rights so Miyamoto came up with a new concept and Donkey Kong was born. When his game was released in 1981, it pulled in $200million and Miyamoto was quickly put in charge of game development. Check out my other podcast Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Renoir is remembered as one of the greatest painters of the Impressionist movement. His paintings are soft and delicate, but his life and his work was a painful struggle. Most painters pride themselves on their ability to work with their hands. They spend years practicing, developing fine motor skills and muscle memory to easily render a beautiful image, but Renoir’s hands weren’t on board with the plan. As his son Jean recounted “Visitors who were unprepared for this could not take their eyes off his deformity. Though they did not dare to mention it, their reaction would be expressed by some such phrase as ‘it isn’t possible! With hands like that, how could he paint those pictures?” In 1899, Pierre-Auguste Renoir was sticken with Rhumetiod Arthritis which not only caused painful inflammation of the joints. It left his hands deformed. While even the most minor movements of his hand or wrist would bring pain, Renoir persisted. He continued making beautiful paintings until his death 20 years later because as he said, “pain passes, but beauty remains.” Check out my other podcasts  Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices