The Perception Podcast Caroline Partridge

Hello and welcome to another episode of the Perception Podcast with me your host Caroline Partridge. In this episode, I talk to portrait photographer and film maker Amit Lennon. It's a real pleasure to listen to Amit share the his journey from Astronomy & Physics graduate to award winning photographer, and hear his personal perspectives on what makes a good portrait. Amit talks about his love of film making, and his recent portrait project, a fascinating exploration into the world of AI, that was initially inspired by Lucien Freud's painting process. He also spills the beans on what photographing the queen of country music, Dolly Parton is really like. Please join me as we look at life through a different lens. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Portrait photography is a two-way interaction between the photographer and the subject, requiring the photographer to guide the conversation and capture the essence of the moment.
AI-generated portraits lack the imperfections and idiosyncrasies that make humans unique, resulting in polished but somewhat uncanny images.
AI can be trained on billions of stolen images from the internet, raising ethical concerns about the use of AI in creative fields.
While AI can be a useful tool, it is limited by the data it is trained on and may struggle to generate truly original ideas.
The increasing prevalence of AI in creative industries poses existential threats to various professions, as AI can potentially reuse and repurpose human-created content without permission.
Human creativity is limitless, while AI-assisted creativity is restricted by the data it is trained on, often resulting in repetitive or stylistically similar outputs.
Lennon's AI portrait project aims to explore the ambiguity and limitations of AI-generated images by providing the AI with minimal prompts and allowing it to interpret the data in its own way.
The future of AI in creative fields is uncertain, but it is crucial to remember that AI is a tool that cannot replace the unique perspectives and ideas of human creators.

BEST MOMENTS

"I'm not looking for anything from anyone. I just want them to maybe not be, self aware so much, because obviously we're very self aware of how we look."

"AI is kind of everywhere, rapidly evolving and rapidly changing and getting smarter"

"I always think that kind of human creativity over decades is kind of like being quite limitless. But like AI, assisted creativity is slightly restricted within the realms of what it is." 

"These things are amazing tools, photography probably when it started 150 plus years ago was viewed as a sort of some terrible thing compared to painting. It's not art."  

"I hope people vote human rather than AI."

 

ABOUT THE GUEST

https://www.amitlennon.com/https://www.amitlennon.com/ai-portrayalwww.instagram.com/amitlennon

 

CONTACT METHOD

FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/caropartridge

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-partridge-03131520

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/partridge_caroline

Hello and welcome to another episode of the Perception Podcast with me your host Caroline Partridge. In this episode, I talk to theatre director, puppet whisperer, author and Artistic Director of Theatre-Rites, Sue Buckmaster. Sue is often asked to speak about the high profile projects that she's working on but in this fascinating conversation we talk about all the things that have formed her, from her extraordinary family background, to her deep desire to better herself and the debilitating illness that changed the course of her career. Sue also shares what she thinks are the ingredients that make a good puppeteer, the place of politics in children's theatre and why we as humans respond so emotionally to puppets. Please join me as we look at life through a different lens.  

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Puppetry is a powerful art form that allows audiences to project their emotions onto objects, creating a deep connection and cathartic experience.
Children's theatre is often undervalued but provides a unique opportunity to engage young minds, sparking their imagination and encouraging them to question the world around them.
Embracing your personal struggles, such as illness or lack of education, can lead to a more profound understanding of yourself and ultimately enrich your artistic practice.
The rehearsal process is a crucial part of creating theatre, allowing for experimentation, failure, and growth, which ultimately leads to a more authentic and impactful final product.
Access to the arts, both for audiences and practitioners, is essential for fostering a more inclusive and understanding society.
Spirituality, magic, and the feminine power are important elements in Sue's work, allowing her to explore deeper themes and connect with audiences on a more profound level.
Process is often more important than the final product in theatre, as it allows for personal and artistic growth, as well as the development of meaningful relationships.
Politics in children's theatre is about allowing young people to practice being political beings, questioning the world around them and forming their own opinions.

BEST MOMENTS

"I didn't have any energy. What energised me, what could I watch or do that made me feel like I had some? And then I gradually got some, and what did that really feel like?"

"Children's theatre is young people practising to be political beings. They haven't decided yet. That's why I quite like hanging out with them."

"It's human nature to connect. And, you know, it's important that we think of the earth as, and nature as this object, that this, this exchange of energy that it holds up."

"I can proudly own many parts of myself. Um, but thankfully to women now who are doing what they're doing now, I love women now and artists now. I'm so grateful to them, and I would do anything to imbue them more with more power, um, for the good, for the good."

"Rehearsals are just the tipping moment when you're sorting it out. It's like rehearsal. I think people tend to go, oh, it takes four weeks to make that show. And that's the wrong thing. So that's why I like to talk more about process, process as product."

 

ABOUT THE GUEST

Dr Sue Buckmaster is the Artistic Director of Theatre-Rites, a puppetry expert and the fifth generation of theatre practitioners in her family. Since 1996 she has directed over 30 site-specific and theatre productions for Theatre-Rites including: the award-winning Mischief, a co-production with Sadler’s Wells and the Dance Touring Partnership and The Welcoming Party  a co-production with Manchester International Festival and the Ruhrtriennale Festival. In 2023 Sue directed an adapted version of Zoe’s Peculiar Journey Through Time (originally a co-production with Burgtheater Vienna); created Something In The Air, a co-production with Schauspeilhaus Bochum, and in 2024 she directed Journey of a Refugee for Croydon Borough of Culture (an adaptation of The Welcoming Party).    

Hello and welcome to another episode of the Perception Podcast with me your host Caroline Partridge. In this episode, I talk once again to undercover artist Sharon Bennett about her upcoming art show 'Tribe'. Alongside fellow artist Jamie Ashman, Sharon promises an odyssey of fashion, music and dance culture. In this episode we look at how the emergence of fashion tribes have historically always been as a response to socioeconomic upheaval - heralding phases of youth rebellion. We discuss the re-invention of fashion and explore the links between different tribes like Punk and Hip Hop. Sharon also reveals the surprising origins of Mod and Skinhead subcultures. Please join me as we look at life through a different lens. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Fashion tribes have historically emerged as a response to socio-economic upheaval, heralding phases of youth rebellion
The exhibition "Tribe" encourages attendees to dress in their fashion tribe of choice, celebrating the impact of these subcultures
Sharon and Jamie are undercover artists collaborating on an upcoming art show called "Tribe," which focuses on UK subcultures and fashion tribes.
Sharon and Jamie have similar artistic styles and interests in art and fashion, making them a great collaborative pair.
Jamie predominantly uses acrylic on paper and canvas for his artwork. He graduated from Saint Martins in fashion but pursued the art route instead of designing clothes.
Sharon Bennett's work reflects skinhead culture but maintains a colourful and girly style with dark undertones.
Sharon and Jamie are encouraging attendees to come dressed in outfits representing their fashion tribes or to try out a different tribe they've always wanted to be a part of.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think there's definitely elements of  the mods, that's statement by style." 

"Skinheads were very much influenced in the sixties by Jamaican Caribbean immigrants. And they, they took on the music and the fashion and it was all very inclusive of race." 

"Punk was obviously an uprising against the government at the time."

"Hip hop was very inclusive of all races and it was considered if you could sing, you were artistic, you could dance, then you were, you were involved." 

"Your tribe is something that identifies you and you always gonna have a bit of it in your life." 

"We love the idea of them being part of the exhibition." 

"It's kind of to take everyone back, to get them back into their tribe mentality and also, you know, appreciate the other tribes."  

ABOUT THE GUESTS

A Cambridgeshire based self-taught artist, Sharon Bennett is passionate about art that is vibrant and striking. Using a range of medium and techniques, Sharon has an artistic style  that is deceptively light and playful with darker undertones and references. Sharon is inspired by pop culture, religion, fashion and passion and has exhibited in London and Cambridgeshire.

During 2020, her painting of a baby crow (Trevor), was chosen to be part of Grayson Perry’s Art Club – and subsequently exhibited at the Manchester Art Gallery alongside many high-profile artists: Grayson's Art Club - Manchester Art Gallery

In 2022 Sharon was diagnosed with breast cancer. As part of her healing she created a lot of art and collaborated with other artists to make images for clothes that were inspired by her cancer journey. This resulted in Sharon organising a fashion show which raised £12k for the charity 'Something To Look Forward To

Alongside her cancer artworks, Sharon collaborates with another fashion artist called Jamie Ashman and in December 2023 they created an art exhibition in London based on the Studio 54 disco aesthetic. In May they are holding a show called ‘Tribe’ which will explore fashion tribes, identity and youth subcultures.

 

Socials & Contact

https://www.instagram.com/brave_girl_tough_cookie/

Jamie Ashman

Instagram: jamie_ashman

Website is www.jamieashman.com

 

 

CONTACT METHOD

FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.co

Hello and welcome to another episode of the Perception Podcast with me your host Caroline Partridge. In this week's episode, I'm joined again by award winning therapist and speaker Sally Baker as we talk about her brilliant new book 'The Getting of Resilience from the Inside Out'. 

Sally uses the story of her own childhood trauma as the foundation for the book, to help illustrate that you can emerge from years of self sabotaging behaviour to live a fulfilling and trauma free life. We discuss parenting, and how and where resilience is created, the misconceptions about our perception of resilience and Sally reveals several techniques to beat the BS thoughts that come from that hypercritical voice we have in our heads. We also examine the growing connection between social media and social anxiety and how the white noise of the world is blocking out the space for self reflection. Please join me as we look at life through a different lens.  

Sally Baker’s book, The Getting of Resilience from the Inside Out is published on May 9th 2024. 

Pre-publication price guarantee gives a 24% cover-price reduction if you sign up now. 

The Getting of Resilience from the Inside Out The Getting of Resilience from the Inside Out 

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Resilience is created, formulated, and either undermined or strengthened within the crucible of the family.
The judgments we make about ourselves based on events that happened to us can be far more damaging than the events themselves.
Resilience is not innate; it is learned only in families that care for us in the way we need.
The voice in your head that gives a running commentary on everything you say and do can be hypercritical or an inner cheerleader, depending on your upbringing.
Recognising and interrupting the negative voice in your head is crucial for building resilience.
Social media contributes to the growing connection between social anxiety and the white noise of the world blocking out space for self-reflection.
Solid human connection that isn't toxic protects our mental health and is the gold standard we all need more of.

BEST MOMENTS

"It's not enough just to have skin in the game and say, oh yeah, you know, I've got lived experience. It's valuable if you have lived experience that you resolved and come out the other side of."

"Another layer of separation when really you just need to or want to sit down and speak with another fellow human."

"So it's human connection that saves us, that builds, that protects our mental health, but solid, you know, human connection that isn't toxic, human connection that listens to us and gives us a chance to speak."

"The bedrock of good, sound mental health is human connection."

"If you are already anxious about yourself or feeling a bit down about yourself, but you've got this toxic drip drip thing, you'll never amount to anything, you'll always be rubbish, look what you've done, you know, it's all your fault, then it doesn't take much to tip you over into heightened anxiety and more overwhelm."

"It's called breaking state. And it means you can't just sit there and listening to this voice in your head, put you down."

"Elevate. This is about elevating us instead of punching down on us."

 

ABOUT THE GUEST

Blog

Sally is a highly experienced licensed and accredited therapist, writer and speaker. She sees adults and young people face to face in London and worldwide via Zoom. She is trained to an advanced or master practitioner level in many of the latest therapeutic approaches all of which work rapidly and powerfully to resolve a wide range of presenting issues.

Sally has written books on key aspects of therapy published by Hammersmith Books, London. Through her therapy work she is often in demand for her expert opinion on human behaviour and is frequently quoted in the international press, magazines, BBC Radio and influential on-line media platforms.  She is regularly invited to comment on human behaviour and relationships insig

Hello and welcome to another episode of the Perception Podcast with me your host Caroline Partridge. In this week's episode, I talk to multidisciplinary artist, digital innovator and creator of pioneering 'Looty Art' the brilliant Chidi Nwaubani. In this illuminating and inspiring conversation, Chidi recounts the inception of Looty, and how he devised an extraordinary plan to successfully 'steal back' the Benin Bronzes from the British Museum in a daring heist. We look at the traumatic history how of many artefacts were stolen, and how not only their meaning and significance are altered once they are displaced, but how the culture they came from is forever changed. We also look forward to how future generations are in the position to be able to rewrite historical narratives and reclaim their cultural heritage through art and technology. Please join me as we look at life through a truly fascinating lens. 

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS


90-95% of African cultural heritage is held outside of Africa, with the British Museum possessing the most stolen artefacts, including the Benin Bronzes.
Nwaubani initiated the Looty project to digitally repatriate stolen artefacts, starting with a daring heist at the British Museum to 3D scan the Benin Bronzes.
The digital versions of the artefacts are tokenised as NFTs, with 20% of sales going into a fund to support artists in Nigeria, addressing both repatriation and reparations.
Artefacts lose their original context and meaning when displaced from their native cultures, becoming mere objects in museums rather than spiritually significant pieces.
Museums often present a limited, Eurocentric narrative of artefacts, failing to acknowledge the full history and cultural importance of the pieces.
Nwaubani's work with the Rosetta Stone, or Hajar Rashid, involved digitally repatriating the artefact to its original location in Rashid, Egypt, and rebuilding the complete stone digitally.
The younger generation, particularly in Africa, has the opportunity to rewrite historical narratives and reclaim their cultural heritage through art and technology.

BEST MOMENTS

"Imagine somebody robbed you and then the next day they create a law saying anything that was robbed on, you know, anything that, that has been robbed prior to this day is now basically it's legal and it's ours."

"It's not just about repatriation. It's also about reparations."

"The museum is a place of imprisonment, actually. And it's a place of projecting a particular narrative."

"It begins with a heroic act. And it's almost a way of rewriting that story again."

"That's all essentially that we're trying to do is to change the way people look at this and view this."

"Vision is an act of interpretation and it's affecting people's way that they're interpreting things."

 

ABOUT THE GUEST

Blog

Chidi Nwaubani, the founder of Looty, is a visionary designer, artist and tech practitioner. His contributions have been recognised at the Venice Biennale Architecture 2023 and featured in BBC News, Reuters, and The New York Times, among other publications. As a member of Snapchat’s Lens Creator Network, Chidi experiments with XR/AR, sculpture and installations to redefine digital arts. Looty’s genesis reflects Chidi’s vision to empower artists and reimagine ideas of memorialising history and culture. Chidi is a member of the African Futures Institute’s “Pinpoint,” an archive of the top 100+ innovative African and African diaspora practitioners created by Lesley Lokko . His insights contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the role of art, technology, and culture.

Socials & Contact

Twitter @mr_chids

Instagram @chidi.co

www.chidi.co

@lootynft

www.looty.art

Chidi Nwaubani

Founder & Lead Creative

Looty

 

CONTACT METHOD

FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/caropartridge

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-partridge-03131520

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/partridge_caroline

Hello and welcome to another episode of the Perception Podcast with me your host Caroline Partridge. In this episode, I talk to undercover artist and cancer survivor Sharon Bennett. Sharon shares unusual and enlightening revelations around the chemotherapy and cancer treatment she underwent, from a wild non-stop stream of ideas, a side effect of the steroids she was taking, to the unexpected employment discrimination she faced, and the effect of PTSD after her all-clear diagnosis. And Sharon also reveals, how she channelled her creativity to smash the perceptions about how cancer sufferers should look and behave by using her condition to allow herself to embrace her fashion and artistic alter egos and provide inspiration for others to do the same. Please join me as we look at life through a different lens. 

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Sharon has used art to process her battle with cancer, she has used her art to campaign and shift people’s perceptions around illness.
Some people didn’t react to Sharon’s cancer in the way she expected. They distanced themselves and Sharon now thinks this is because of fear and being around her made the ‘threat’ of cancer too real.
Starting an Instagram account to tell her story and share her journey, gave Sharon the platform to challenge perceptions and educate people on the realities of a cancer diagnosis.
A shockingly common experience amongst those with cancer is that their employers aren’t supportive and, in some cases, they have been dismissed from their jobs.
Employers need to look at the policies they have in place and if these work in reality.
An unexpected side effect of having cancer has been Sharon’s willingness to experiment with how she looks. She has a lot more fun with her hair, make-up and the clothes she wears.
After having success with charity t-shirts, Sharon is now focusing on creating work with other artists with army surplus clothing, the aim is to run a fashion show and reveal the synergy between the battlefield and battling cancer.
Finishing treatment isn’t the end of any cancer journey. The fact you had cancer is something you continue to deal with every day. Sharon is currently undergoing treatment for PTSD caused by her cancer diagnosis.

BEST MOMENTS

“Some people became a bit distant and I think that’s because they were frightened to talk to me”

“These companies had things in place for dealing with cancer but they aren’t very good”

“Work is something that anchors you to some form of normality”

“If these people knew what I’d gone through and how strong I am and how resilient I have had to be, they would hire me”

“We’re going to promote the beauty of this battle women have to go through”

“If you’ve got cancer you don’t have to be ill, we only see people with really sick cancer”

“There’s still a lot of shame around illness…it’s fuc*ed up”

“The mental battle is something you still have”

 

ABOUT THE GUEST

Blog

A Cambridgeshire based self-taught artist, Sharon Bennett is passionate about art that is vibrant and striking. Using a range of medium and techniques, Sharon has an artistic style that is deceptively light and playful with darker undertones and references. Sharon is inspired by pop culture, religion, fashion and passion and has exhibited in London and Cambridgeshire.

In 2022 Sharon was diagnosed with breast cancer. As part of her healing, she created a lot of art and collaborated with other artists to make images for clothes that were inspired by her cancer journey.

Alongside her cancer artworks, Sharon collaborates with another fashion artist called Jamie Ashman and in December 2023 they created an art exhibition in London based on the Studio 54 disco aesthetic. In May they are holding a show called ‘Tribe’ which will explore fashion tribes, identity and youth subcultures.

Charity: 'Something To Look Forward To: home 

Socials & Contact

https://www.instagram.com/brave_girl_tough_c