HOW TO CREATE AN ICON and make a deeper creative dent in the universe

M. Forse
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The 'HOW TO CREATE AN ICON and make a deeper creative dent in the universe' podcast digs deeper into the hidden mechanics of creative impact—talent, timing, psychology, networks, luck, obsession, and everything in between. In each episode I do my best to unpack the forces that turn certain art works, designs, painters, creatives and innovators into cultural catalysts. We explore the habits, environments, and mindsets that amplify influence, and elevate some creations over others. From creative breakthroughs to global icons—I ask what really drives fame, longevity, and legacy.

Episodes

  1. 1D AGO

    Ep 9. History loves crowns. But not necessarily on the people Basquiat painted

    Basquiat is an iconic artist for a number of reasons. But one of the most intriguing is his varied and often complex visual language. In this video I take a deep dent dive into that visual language and explore the meaning behind the many symbols Jean-Michel Basquiat used repeatedly. What do they mean? Why did he paint them? And why does the Basquiat crown stand head and shoulders above the other symbols? One thing’s for sure, the Basquiat crown certainly isn’t about royalty. Which is why it’s an iconic symbol that played a major role in redefining who matters in the established art world.This content is primarily created to act as inspiration and education for creative souls who want to study, research and learn from iconic creative works and their creators. As such I use borrowed imagery under the ‘fair use’ policy. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. I also do my best to credit image owners and licence holders wherever I can find them. Should you however find an image used here, that you are the licence owner of, and you’re unhappy with it being used, please contact me and I will remove it or replace it. Main music theme by Lester Barnes. #creativeprocess #basquiat #podcast #artistsjourney #iconicart #visualimpact #artistinspiration

    11 min

  2. FEB 14

    Ep 8. Pain, Control and Longing? Frida Kahlo’s “Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace”

    While Frida Kahlo’s self-portrait ‘The 2 Fridas’ is arguably her most famous, ‘Self-portrait with Thorn Necklace’ is certainly her most intriguing. The symbolism she uses in this work of art is more difficult to decipher and offers several ways to interpret. Making this, potentially, Frida Kahlo’s most iconic self-portrait. Explore with me the emotional and historical backdrop to why Frida chose to use these specific symbols and what various different ways we can choose to interpret them. Let’s peel away the many hidden layers of these symbols and arrive, as close as we can, to the truth of what Frida herself actually felt as she created this visual icon.This content is primarily created to act as inspiration and education for creative souls who want to study, research and learn from iconic creative works and their creators. As such I use borrowed imagery under the ‘fair use’ policy. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. I also do my best to credit image owners and licence holders wherever I can find them. Should you however find an image used here, that you are the licence owner of, and you’re unhappy with it being used here, please contact me and I will remove it or replace it. Music by Lester Barnes.

    15 min

  3. FEB 1

    Ep 7. Who's Keith Haring, and why is radiant baby, to some, his most important figure?

    Keith Haring was an American artist who invented his own graffiti-style using chalk, before developing his own line-based visual language on canvas and in sculpture. He grew from street artist to major artist during the 1980s New York city. Today, he's as much known for being an activist as an artist. In this video I'll explore deeper what few others here have done. His perhaps most famous figure. Radiant baby. #creativeprocess #artistsjourney #radiantbaby #keithharing #iconicartists #creativedeepdents

    12 min
  4. Ep 6. Munch's The Scream explained, and why it became an icon

    JAN 27

    Ep 6. Munch's The Scream explained, and why it became an icon

    I want to take you beyond the usual standard explanations of Edvard Munch's iconic painting The Scream. Not only is it one of the most iconic art pieces of all time, it's also one of the most iconic images of all time. Why? What does it mean? Why did Munch paint it? And how did it manage to become so iconic?Great website on both Munch himself and The Screamwww.munch.no#creativeprocess #thescream #edvardmunch #podcast #artistsjourney #iconicart #iconicdesign #visualimpact

    20 min

  5. JAN 24

    Ep 5. How Marcel Duchamp changed the art world more than anyone else.

    How did Marcel Duchamp manage to become one of art history’s most iconic individuals, even though he didn’t even really show his most famous works until the age of 76? In this episode we’ll explore Duchamp and try to figure out how this one individual managed to change the art world and the idea of what art is and can be, forever.#creativeprocess #iconic #iconicart #historyofart #marcelduchamp #podcast #creativepassion #deepdents #iconicart

    13 min

  6. JAN 10

    Ep 4. The Wishbone chair. Why is it a chair icon?

    Find out how Denmark's Hans Wegner, 'The King of Chairs', created a timeless design icon that's as popular today as it was 80 years ago. What makes the 'Y-chair' so iconic? And is timelessness essential to reach iconic status? #creativeprocess #podcast #artistsjourney #creativepassion #deepdents #creativeicon

    13 min

  7. 12/28/2025

    Ep 3. Why Helen McNicoll's dent in the universe took nearly 100 years to deepen.

    Let's explore Canadian impressionist artist Helen McNicoll, and try to figure out why she had some success in her lifetime, then was nearly forgotten and then rediscovered to become world famous nearly 100 years later. #creativeprocess #impressionistart #artistsjourney #deepdents

    10 min

  8. 12/13/2025

    Ep 2. Six creative Bernbach philosophies that'll make you more creative.

    Learn why thinking differently is the key to creativesuccess. And how it'll help you becoming a better creative or artist. In this episode I summarise the best of Bill Bernbach's creative thinking, into 6 easy key takeaways.

    18 min

  9. 12/08/2025

    Ep 1. How Andy Warhol became a Superstar artist (What we can learn for our own art journeys)

    We lift the hood and look at the hidden mechanics of how Andy Warhol managed to make such a deep dent in the art universe. I try to distill 10 traits that I believe were instrumental to his enormous success and impact.

    28 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

The 'HOW TO CREATE AN ICON and make a deeper creative dent in the universe' podcast digs deeper into the hidden mechanics of creative impact—talent, timing, psychology, networks, luck, obsession, and everything in between. In each episode I do my best to unpack the forces that turn certain art works, designs, painters, creatives and innovators into cultural catalysts. We explore the habits, environments, and mindsets that amplify influence, and elevate some creations over others. From creative breakthroughs to global icons—I ask what really drives fame, longevity, and legacy.

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