Subtext and Discourse | Art World Podcast

Michael Dooney
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The art world and associated market are famously opaque and can at times be exclusive. Berlin based gallery director and educator Michael Dooney speaks with artists, curators and other professionals who share their personal experiences of this unique field. If you have ever felt unsure about walking into a gallery, wish to understand more about creativity or better understand how this complex industry works, then tune in every second Monday to hear the insightful conversations with these inspiring individuals.

  1. Challenging traditional art hierarchies and recontextualising photography with New York gallerist Bruce Silverstein

    JUL 9

    Challenging traditional art hierarchies and recontextualising photography with New York gallerist Bruce Silverstein

    In part two of our conversation with New York gallerist Bruce Silverstein, we delve deeper into his evolving gallery vision, his commitment to challenging traditional art hierarchies, and his dedication to championing overlooked artists. Bruce reflects on the inaugural exhibition at his new gallery location, Photographer as Sculptor, Sculptor as Photographer, which encapsulates decades of his thought on the fluidity of artistic mediums. He shares insights into how artists like Constantin Brancusi, Henry Moore and Edward Weston have blurred the lines between photography and sculpture, often using the camera as an intrinsic part of their creative process rather than just a documentary tool. The episode also covers Bruce's proactive efforts to address historical biases in the art world, particularly his work with overlooked African-American photographers from the Kamoinge group, such as Chester Higgins, and his promotion of Native American artists like Sarah Sense and Dakota Mace.  As well as the innovative approaches of contemporary artists Shinichi Maruyama and Marianne Tuijn, whose works seamlessly blend photography with performance, painting, and sculptural interventions.    Timestamps (00:00) – Introduction and welcome (02:00) – One month in new gallery location and reflecting on the move (05:49) – Photographer as Sculptor, Sculptor as Photographer exhibition (09:30) – Constantin Brancusi - Romanian sculptor, photographer, and painter (19:03) – Expanding the scope of the gallery beyond photography (25:59) – The purpose of contemporary art and our relationship to it (28:28) – Recognition of overlooked Black artists (32:33) – Kamoinge group (1963) of New York City based African American photographers (34:42) – Chester Higgins - African American photographer (37:07) – Sarah Sense and Dakota Mace - Native American artists (43:51) – Contemporary photographers redefining the medium (44:49) – Shinichi Maruyama - Japanese photographer (48:00) – Marjan Teeuwen - Dutch artist (51:31) – Future exhibitions and plans for the new gallery space   Bruce Silverstein is a leading New York gallerist specialising in modern and contemporary photography. After a successful career on Wall Street, he founded the Bruce Silverstein Gallery in 2001, quickly becoming known for his innovative exhibitions and advocacy for under-represented artists. Bruce’s curatorial approach challenges traditional boundaries, integrating photography with other art forms and re-contextualizing overlooked voices in the art world. - Bruce Silverstein Gallery official website https://brucesilverstein.com/ - Follow Bruce Silverstein Gallery on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brucesilverstein/   This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World Podcast was recorded on 8. May 2025 between Perth (AU) and New York (US) with Riverside.   Michael Dooney official website: https://www.michaeldooney.net Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldooney/

    55 min
  2. Joanne Leonard: Intimate Documentary, Photo Collage, and The Feminist Art Movement

    JUN 24

    Joanne Leonard: Intimate Documentary, Photo Collage, and The Feminist Art Movement

    Credited with inventing the "intimate documentary" style of photography, Joanne Leonard was one of the first to pivot away from street style photography adopt a more personal approach that focused on her close relationships and immediate surroundings. In this episode we delve into her unique approach that captured the daily lives of women and challenged the male gaze, her use of collage to go beyond the limits of photography, and creating work inspired by the realities of motherhood which earned her a place as a feminist art icon whose work is now celebrated in major collections worldwide. This interview coincided with Joanne's first UK solo exhibition at Hackelbury Fine Art London: Vintage Photographs and Early Collages.   Timestamps (00:00) – Introduction and welcome (02:19) – Growing up in Hollywood (05:10) – The Family of Man exhibition (07:21) – Studying photography and social sciences (08:50) – From Hollywood to Berkeley then Oakland, California (11:48) – "Intimate Documentary" approach to photography (16:37) – Exhibiting at the de Young Museum, San Francisco (19:44) – Teaching photography throughout the Bay area (20:56) – Working with Collage (22:15) – The Journal of Miscarriage (27:56) – Being part of the Feminist Art Movement (31:40) – Managing motherhood and being an artist (34:29) – Gaining recognition later in life (37:00) – Advice for photographers and artists (39:42) – Official Winter Olympic Photographer for the USA in 1972 (44:21) – The Impact of Technology on American Life, NEA Grant (48:42) – The Newspaper Diaries   Joanne Leonard is an American photographer, photo collage artist, and feminist based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is known for her innovative "intimate documentary" approach to photography, focusing on family, friends, and immediate surroundings. Her work delves into often overlooked aspects of women's lives, memory, and personal history, while also engaging with larger movements in feminism, civil rights, and social justice Leonard was a professor at the University of Michigan for 31 years, retiring in 2009 after dedicating 40 years to teaching as a college professor. Her work has been included in major art history textbooks like Janson's History of Art and Gardner's Art Through the Ages, and is held in significant collections worldwide, including MoMA, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Victoria & Albert Museum. - Joanne Leonard official website: https://beinginpictures.com/   HackelBury presents the first UK solo exhibition by acclaimed artist, Joanne Leonard. Vintage Photographs and Early Collages features photographs from the 1960s and 1970s and unique early collage pieces from the 1970s and 1980s. This retrospective offers an intimate look into Leonard’s artistic evolution and her innovative approach to visual storytelling.  - HackelBury Fine Art official website: https://hackelbury.co.uk/ - Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/hackelburyfineart/ - Joanne Leonard: Vintage Photographs and Early Collages: https://hackelbury.co.uk/exhibitions/127-joanne-leonard-vintage-photographs-and-early-collages/overview/   Other mentioned resources: - Hyperallergic article: https://hyperallergic.com/910133/joanne-leonard-miscarriage-collages-that-were-too-much-for-the-art-world/ - Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/jun/04/joanne-leonard-best-photograph-marriage-intimacy   This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World Podcast was recorded on 12. June 2025 between Perth (AU) and Michigan (US) with Riverside. Portrait photo by Eleanor Rubin.    Michael Dooney official website: https://www.michaeldooney.net Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldooney/

    56 min
  3. Photo Basel 10th Anniversary Edition with Sven Eisenhut-hug and Elwira Spychalska

    JUN 10

    Photo Basel 10th Anniversary Edition with Sven Eisenhut-hug and Elwira Spychalska

    What does it take to build and sustain Switzerland’s first and only international art fair dedicated to photography? In this episode, Michael Dooney is joined by Sven Eisenhut-Hug (co-founder and director of Photo Basel) and Elwira Spychalska (art historian and artistic director of Photo Basel) to mark the fairs 10th anniversary. Together they discuss the evolution of Photo Basel, the challenges of curating a global photography platform and meeting the needs of different audiences, key aspects of this boutique art fair, and how Photo Basel fosters meaningful connections between galleries, collectors, and the public.   Timestamps (00:00) – Introduction and welcome (01:27) – Entry to photography before Photo Basel (03:19) – Photo Basel, boutique family owned art fair (06:18) – How was it starting a new art fair in Basel? (08:06) – The first and still the only photography specific fair in Switzerland (09:37) – When did Photo Basel come into its own?  (12:31) – Constantly growing and evolving the fair with each new edition (14:05) – Beyond Photography parcours (15:40) – Curating a selection of galleries to meet the different faces of photography (20:18) – Unexpected works presented in the Beyond Photography parcours (22:05) – Novum parcours (never before exhibited work) (27:52) – The new generation of photography collectors (31:13) – Guided tours and education about photography collecting (32:50) – Maurice de Mauriac Award (34:42) – SIYU Award - Emerging Swiss Photography Talent Prize (37:38) – Featured Panel Talk: Emerging Artists, Galleries and the Art Market (39:00) – Photo Basel and Positions Berlin partnership (42:28) – Advice for first time visitors to Photo Basel and photography fairs   photo basel is is Switzerland’s first and only international art fair dedicated to photography-based art. To mark its 10th anniversary edition, photo basel welcomes 39 galleries from 15 countries. More than 450 photographic positions by over 150 artists will be shown from the 17th to 22nd of June 2025.  photo basel official website: https://www.photo-basel.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photobasel/   Sven Eisenhut-Hug is a Basel-based entrepreneur renowned for his significant contributions to the art world, particularly in the realm of photography. Born and raised in Basel, Switzerland, he co-founded photo basel in 2015 and Art Salon Zürich in 2022, establishing the country's first and only international art fair dedicated to photography. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sveneisenhut/   Elwira Spychalska is an art historian specialising in photography, based in Basel. She works across several museums in the city and is currently the artistic director of photo basel. Her practice moves between curatorial work, research, and writing, engaging with both historical archives and contemporary image cultures. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_elwira/   This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World Podcast was recorded on 2. June 2025 between Perth (AU) and Basel (CH) with Riverside.   Michael Dooney official website: https://www.michaeldooney.net Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldooney/

    47 min
  4. From Conflict Zones to Community Change: Mark Neville on Photography as Activism

    MAY 27

    From Conflict Zones to Community Change: Mark Neville on Photography as Activism

    What happens when photography becomes a tool for social change rather than just documentation? In this episode, Michael Dooney speaks with acclaimed British photographer and artist Mark Neville about his journey from art school to the front-lines of conflict, and how he uses collaborative photography projects to empower communities, challenge social norms, and effect real-world impact. Neville shares stories from his time as an official war artist in Afghanistan, discusses the making of influential projects like The Port Glasgow Book Project and Stop Tanks With Books, and reflects on his ongoing work in Ukraine. Listeners will gain insights into the ethics of documentary practice, the power of art as activism, and what it means to make photography for—and with—the people it represents.   Timestamps (00:00) – Introduction and welcome (01:49) – Artist and photographer living and working in the Ukraine (04:54) – The Port Glasgow Book Project: Art for the community (08:04) – Getting attention of the art world (12:00) – Turning point towards a social engaged artistic practice (14:42) – Stop Tanks with Books Project: Art as activism in Ukraine (17:56) – Russian invasion of Ukriane (20:55) – Postcode Ukraine Charity (25:06) – War Artist in Helmand, Afghanistan (27:33) – Battle Against Stigma, book project (33:34) – Invitation to start making work in Ukraine (34:54) – Diary of a Volunteer, book project (37:51) – Individual experiences of Postcard Ukraine charity members (39:48) – Support for Ukrainian people (42:06) – How can listeners learn more and get involved?   Mark Neville (b. 1966, London) is a British artist and photographer renowned for his socially engaged practice at the intersection of art, documentary, and activism. His projects often involve close collaboration with communities, aiming to empower subjects and address issues such as inequality, mental health, and conflict. Notable works include The Port Glasgow Book Project, Battle Against Stigma, Fancy Pictures, and Stop Tanks With Books. Neville has exhibited internationally, worked as an official war artist in Afghanistan, and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize by The New York Times in 2012.   Mark Neville official website: https://www.markneville.com/  Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/marknevillestudio/ Postcode Ukraine: https://www.postcodeukraine.com/   This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World Podcast was recorded on 28. March 2025 between Perth (AU) and Ukraine with Riverside.   Michael Dooney official website: https://www.michaeldooney.net Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldooney/

    45 min
  5. Leaving Wall Street to open an art gallery in Chelsea, New York - Bruce Silverstein

    APR 29

    Leaving Wall Street to open an art gallery in Chelsea, New York - Bruce Silverstein

    This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World podcast is brought to you by AIPAD and The Photography Show. AIPAD represents fine art photography galleries around the world and is proud to present the 2025 edition of its flagship event, The Photography Show. The fair will showcase photography from the earliest processes to cutting-edge contemporary work that pushes the boundaries of the medium, from April 23 – 27 at The Park Avenue Armory in New York City. Go to www.aipad.com/show for more information and to plan your visit.   The Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD) encourages public support of fine art photography through education and communication by enhancing the confidence of the public in responsible photography collecting. First organized in 1979, AIPAD and its current members span the globe with members in North and South America, Australia, Europe and Asia. AIPAD has become a unifying force in the field of photography and is dedicated to creating and maintaining high standards in the business of exhibiting, buying and selling photographs as art. - AIPAD official website https://www.aipad.com/ - Follow AIPAD on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aipadphoto/ - Talks programme by AIPAD on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@aipadphoto   Established in 2001, the Bruce Silverstein Gallery’s principal focus is the representation of an international roster of contemporary artists as well as established artists of great influence. The gallery is committed to discovering, examining, and contextualising known and unknown artworks by modern masters as well as innovative artists of today. The gallery strives to provide a venue for dialogue across all art forms, while specialising in modern and contemporary photography. - Bruce Silverstein Gallery official website https://brucesilverstein.com/ - Member page on AIPAD https://www.aipad.com/member/bruce-silverstein-gallery - Follow Bruce Silverstein Gallery on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brucesilverstein/   Michael Dooney https://beacons.ai/michaeldooney This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World Podcast was recorded on 11. April 2025 between Perth (AU) and New York (US) with Riverside.

    46 min
  6. AIPAD On Collecting: How to start collecting fine art photography

    APR 22

    AIPAD On Collecting: How to start collecting fine art photography

    This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World podcast is brought to you by AIPAD and The Photography Show. AIPAD represents fine art photography galleries around the world and is proud to present the 2025 edition of its flagship event, The Photography Show. The fair will showcase photography from the earliest processes to cutting-edge contemporary work that pushes the boundaries of the medium, from April 23 – 27 at The Park Avenue Armory in New York City. Go to www.aipad.com/show for more information and to plan your visit.   The Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD) encourages public support of fine art photography through education and communication by enhancing the confidence of the public in responsible photography collecting. First organized in 1979, AIPAD and its current members span the globe with members in North and South America, Australia, Europe and Asia. AIPAD has become a unifying force in the field of photography and is dedicated to creating and maintaining high standards in the business of exhibiting, buying and selling photographs as art. - AIPAD official website https://www.aipad.com/ - Follow AIPAD on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aipadphoto/ - Talks programme by AIPAD on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@aipadphoto - AIPAD On Collecting Photography guide https://www.aipad.com/collecting   Sophie Wright is the Executive Director at Fotografiska New York, a position held since April 2022. Prior experience includes serving as Global Cultural Director at Magnum Photos from October 2003 to October 2020, where responsibilities encompassed developing and delivering global cultural programs, business development, and managing large-scale sales initiatives. Sophie Wright also worked as a Creative Consultant at Sophie Wright Consulting from 2002 to July 2011, focusing on strategy and communication for creative projects. Earlier roles include Deputy Editor and Gallery Manager at PLUK Magazine and Witness Gallery, and Non-Executive Director/Project Manager at MMAN Ltd. Sophie Wright holds a BA in Modern History from the University of Oxford and an MA in Art History from The Courtauld Institute of Art. - Fotografiska Global official website https://www.fotografiska.com/ - Follow Sophie Wright on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wrightsophie/ and Fotografiska Global https://www.instagram.com/fotografiska/ - Fotografiska talks and presentations on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@fotografiska.global   Andra Russek is a certified member of the Appraisers Association of America specializing in the field of fine art photography. She has been working in her field since 2000 when she became the assistant in the conservation department at the George Eastman House, Museum of Photography.  She continued her work at Swann Galleries, New York as a Specialist from 2002 – 2005. In 2005 she joined the Photographs Department at Sotheby’s New York as a Specialist/Senior Cataloguer. In her role at both auction houses she catalogued and valued photographs for four to six sales per year. At Sotheby’s she worked on important sales including Important Photographs from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Including Works from the Gilman Paper Company Collection and Photographs from the Private Collection of Margaret W. Weston. Andra is currently the Director of Scheinbaum & Russek Ltd., a gallery specializing in 20th century and contemporary photography. - Scheinbaum & Russek Ltd. official website https://www.photographydealers.com/ - Membership page on AIPAD https://www.aipad.com/member/scheinbaum-russek-ltd - Follow Scheinbaum & Russek Ltd. on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/scheinbaumrussek/ - Straight Talk on Collecting Photography https://www.youtube.com/@scheinbaumrussekltd8037   Michael Dooney https://beacons.ai/michaeldooney This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World Podcast was recorded on 18. March 2025 between Perth (AU) and New York (US) with Riverside.

    56 min
  7. AIPAD London Calling: The UK photo market, Japanese Photography, and obsessive collecting

    APR 18

    AIPAD London Calling: The UK photo market, Japanese Photography, and obsessive collecting

    This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World podcast is brought to you by AIPAD and The Photography Show. AIPAD represents fine art photography galleries around the world and is proud to present the 2025 edition of its flagship event, The Photography Show. The fair will showcase photography from the earliest processes to cutting-edge contemporary work that pushes the boundaries of the medium, from April 23 – 27 at The Park Avenue Armory in New York City. Go to www.aipad.com/show for more information and to plan your visit.   The Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD) encourages public support of fine art photography through education and communication by enhancing the confidence of the public in responsible photography collecting. First organized in 1979, AIPAD and its current members span the globe with members in North and South America, Australia, Europe and Asia. AIPAD has become a unifying force in the field of photography and is dedicated to creating and maintaining high standards in the business of exhibiting, buying and selling photographs as art. - AIPAD official website https://www.aipad.com/ - Follow AIPAD on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aipadphoto/ - Talks programme by AIPAD on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@aipadphoto   The Michael Hoppen Gallery opened in 1992 and is founded on a passion for photography. As a gallery we are renowned for nurturing the careers of new and interesting artists and exhibiting them alongside acknowledged nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first century photographic masters. We are passionate about the photograph and all that concerns this extraordinary art form.  - Michael Hoppen Gallery official website https://www.michaelhoppengallery.com/ - Michael Hoppen Gallery on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/michaelhoppengallery/   Michael Dooney https://beacons.ai/michaeldooney This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World Podcast was recorded on 15. April 2025 between Perth (AU) and London (UK) with Riverside.

    46 min
  8. AIPAD Millennials: The next generation of photography galleries

    APR 16

    AIPAD Millennials: The next generation of photography galleries

    This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World podcast is brought to you by AIPAD and The Photography Show. AIPAD represents fine art photography galleries around the world and is proud to present the 2025 edition of its flagship event, The Photography Show. The fair will showcase photography from the earliest processes to cutting-edge contemporary work that pushes the boundaries of the medium, from April 23 – 27 at The Park Avenue Armory in New York City. Go to www.aipad.com/show for more information and to plan your visit.   The Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD) encourages public support of fine art photography through education and communication by enhancing the confidence of the public in responsible photography collecting. First organized in 1979, AIPAD and its current members span the globe with members in North and South America, Australia, Europe and Asia. AIPAD has become a unifying force in the field of photography and is dedicated to creating and maintaining high standards in the business of exhibiting, buying and selling photographs as art. - AIPAD official website https://www.aipad.com/ - Follow AIPAD on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aipadphoto/ - Talks programme by AIPAD on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@aipadphoto   Douglas Marshall (Marshall Gallery) Founded in 2018, the Marshall Gallery works to promote the work of contemporary photo-based artists with an emphasis on experimental processes, printmaking craftsmanship and conceptual innovation. After working in many roles across emerging, established, and blue chip galleries, owner Douglas Marshall opened the Gallery's first Venice Beach space in January 2021 amid the pandemic before moving to Santa Monica's Bergamot Station in December 2021 where the gallery now resides. - Marshall Gallery official website https://marshallgallery.art/ - Membership page on AIPAD https://www.aipad.com/member/marshall-gallery - Follow Marshall Gallery on instagram https://www.instagram.com/marshall.gallery/   Michael Hulett (The Hulett Collection) The Hulett Collection is a fine art gallery specializing in classic 20th century and contemporary photographic works. Native to Tulsa, Oklahoma, Michael Hulett started in the fine arts world more than 15 years ago in Los Angeles and spent the majority of his career  as the Director of the world-renowned Peter Fetterman Gallery in Santa Monica.  He has curated more than 100 exhibitions across Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris and San Francisco. Michael brings his more than 20 years of knowledge of the medium's history and its foremost photographers to The Hulett Collection. - The Hulett Collection official website https://thehulettcollection.com/ - Membership page on AIPAD https://www.aipad.com/member/the-hulett-collection1 - Follow The Hulett Collection on instagram https://www.instagram.com/thehulettcollection/ and owner Michael Hulett here https://www.instagram.com/mikehulett/   Michael Dooney https://beacons.ai/michaeldooney This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World Podcast was recorded on 11. April 2025 between Perth (AU), Tulsa OK, and Santa Monica CA, with Riverside.

    54 min
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About

The art world and associated market are famously opaque and can at times be exclusive. Berlin based gallery director and educator Michael Dooney speaks with artists, curators and other professionals who share their personal experiences of this unique field. If you have ever felt unsure about walking into a gallery, wish to understand more about creativity or better understand how this complex industry works, then tune in every second Monday to hear the insightful conversations with these inspiring individuals.

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