Can Art Save Us‪?‬ Can Art Save Us?

Manchester based poet Qudsia Akhtar is already recognised as an important new voice for her generation, her debut collection of poems, 'Khamoshi' (Silence), is out now, published by Verve Poetry Press. She is also highly commended in the Forward Book of Poetry, 2023, considered the indispensable annual guide to contemporary poetry. Qudsia reflects modern Britain as a British-Pakistani writer. She talks about the noise of cultural duality as well as the silence that builds inside generations of migrant women. Her soft and gentle voice doesn't betray the histories of massacres, genocides, patriarchy, colonial legacies and Islamophobia. We talk about gruesome truths uncovered by the arts, creativity, self-expression and speaking up to demand justice for those who can't. Illustrated with readings by Qudsia throughout.

Series Audio Editor - Courtesy of Joey Quan.
Series Music - Courtesy of Barry J. Gibb
Closed Captions are added to all interviews in this series. Read only, text versions of every interview can also be found here: www//canartsaveus.com/
Discover Qudsia Akhtar here: www.couldseeher.com/
 

Barry Gibb is a multi, multi-award winning filmmaker with over 100 science films and a series of powerful shorts about time, life and death. He often films in deeply sensitive and difficult circumstances. His recent film 'The Gift,' follows the artist Barbara Bird's end of life but also her continued journey by gifting her body to science. This film has won 15 international awards alone. Barry is also a neuro-scientist and award-winning author of the 'Rough Guide to the Brain.' We explore curiosity and courage through vulnerability, time, life and death. Barry shares his fear of death and how the camera lens invites his courage to share meaningfully creative work and his compassionate purpose.
 

Closed Captions are added to all interviews in this series. Read only, text versions of every interview can be found here: www.canartsaveus.com/
Image: Courtesy of Barry J. Gibb
Episode audio edit: Courtesy of Barry J. Gibb
Series music: Created by and courtesy of Barry J. Gibb
Discover Barry's work: www.barryjamesgibb.com

Antony Penrose, is the son of Sir Roland Penrose and Lee Miller. Kate Winslet stars as Lee Miller in the forthcoming film ’Lee.’ The film focuses on Lee’s astonishing life as a frontline war photographer in WWII after a career as a Vogue model. Roland Penrose was an artist, poet, biographer and major collector of modern art and associate of the surrealists. Antony is a photographer, author, rewilder and the director of the Penrose / Lee collection. He’s also ’The Boy that Bit Picasso’ - literally. I’m exploring how curiosity and courage not only creates great art and fuels the arts, but cultivates a healthy mind too.

Marije Nie is a classically trained musician and percussive tap dance poet. Marije's Ted Talk features her multi award-winning dance documentary 'One Million Steps’ with Eva Stotz, where she tapped poetic dance steps in the face of an explosive protest with police using tear gas in Gezi Park, Istanbul. Marije is also the recipient of the Dutch Jur Naessens prize for innovation and she has performed with classical orchestras, jazz and contemporary ensembles on concert stages around the world. We explore space in rhythm, the mind and the community. We discuss stretching our 'imagination muscles' and the rhythm of music to over coming fear of bodily harm and death.

Closed Captions are added to all interviews in this series. Read only, text versions of every interview can be found here: www.canartsaveus.com/
Image: Courtesy of Marije Nie
Audio edit courtesy of Joey Quan
Discover Marije Nie: www.marijenie.com

Mohammed Ali, MBE, is a graffiti artist who works internationally and creates immersive events combining theatre, music and poetry too. Mohammed has a deep respect for heritage, community and the arts and his purpose is clear; he wants to empower communities and celebrate multi-cultural stories around faith and migration. His art work could be understood as a vital community service, one of human connection. Mohammed is changing community division by demystifying culture, faith and ethnicity, spray can by spray can. We explore whether public space really exists, the empowerment of people, art without pretention and where courage exists.

Closed Captions are added to all interviews in this series. Read only, text versions of every interview can be found here: www.canartsaveus.com/
Images: Courtesy of Mohammed Ali, MBE
Audio Edit: Courtesy of Joey Quan.
Discover Mohammed Ali: www.artofmohammedali.com

Eve Horne, is a singer, songwriter, producer, author, award winning mentor and activist. Eve's journey is a roller coaster from being in 90s 'girl groups' touring with major boy bands, a No. 1 single and millions of streams on Spotify, to a major life change dealing with depression then re-emerging as a producer and co-writer for major artists. Black, gay and a single mum, Eve is also a campaigner for gender equality in the music industry with her campaign 'The Unheard.' This year she is recognised as a Future Leader with Keychange, a global movement for equality. Eve talks about early trauma from feelings of rejection to racially motivated murder. She talks about life extremes from private jets to driving trains and onto the loneliness of leadership. Struggle has built her resilience and her commitment to justice is brave and unwavering.

Closed Captions are added to all interviews in this series. Read only, text versions of every interview can be found here: www.canartsaveus.com/
Images: Courtesy of Eve Horne / Peak Music UK.
Audio edit: Courtesy of Joey Quan.
Discover Eve: www.peakmusic.uk