Talking Public Art

FrancisKnight

A series of stylishly produced conversational podcasts about the ins and outs and highs and lows of making high quality art in the public realm.Louise Francis and Laura Knight, co-directors of FrancisKnight, talk with a number of recognised experts in the field about best practice and why public art is so important.

16 Episoden

Design and the importance of understanding the landscape, with guest speaker Joe Gerrard
24.7.2025
1:04:07
For our final episode in Series 3 we talk to Birmingham-based landscape architect, Joe Gerrard.About: His fascination from a young age with design and engineering; On understanding the landscape and designing with spaces and blobs; And on learning the language of artists and creativity; Plus: winning a lego competition as a kid, playing his retro synth and putting Birmingham’s jewellery quarter on the world stage. Contact Talking Public Art Podcast: Instagram us at @artbirdsfk Linkedin connect @ FrancisKnight Ltd Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!
The journey from sculptor to international public art curator, with guest speaker Victoria Jones
3.7.2025
59:51
In our fourth episode for Season 3 we talk to Victoria Jones the founder of T Projects an Arts consultancy delivering public art, creative strategies & artist development initiatives in Australia and the UK. About: Waffle, shonky behaviour and the importance of being credited; On curating internationally and why public art can be a gateway drug to culture; And on her public art mentoring programme. Plus: Liking BIG, stalking artists and the stress-free joys of pottery. Contact Talking Public Art Podcast: Instagram us at @artbirdsfk Linkedin connect @ FrancisKnight Ltd Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!
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Creating opportunities for disabled artists with guest speaker Jo Verrent
5.6.2025
52:52
This week we talk to Jo Verrent, Director of Unlimited.About: Supporting disabled artists; getting too big for your boots, rubbish off-the-shelf policies; and Grantium, the dreaded Arts Council application portal. Plus: being bloody-minded, life/work balance and reducing exploitation in the cultural sector. Contact Talking Public Art Podcast: Instagram us at @artbirdsfk Linkedin connect @ FrancisKnight Ltd Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!
Chris Dixon discusses how building networks and relationships can create the conditions for public art to happen
15.5.2025
53:16
This week we talk to Chris Dixon, Arts and Cultural Industries Manager at Ashford Borough Council.About: surviving (or not surviving) in the arts; building networks and relationships, creative hooks and creating the conditions for public art to happen; and the need for vibrancy, fun and innovation. Plus: ‘Network Rail grey’, fibre glass dogs and public art in football stadiums.Contact Talking Public Art Podcast: Instagram us at @artbirdsfk Linkedin connect @ FrancisKnight Ltd Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!
Guest speaker Brigitte Orasinski on community participation and bringing the best that the arts can offer to people’s doorsteps
24.4.2025
41:18
In our first episode for Season 3 we talk to Artistic Director Brigitte Orasinski of Folkestone-based arts company, Strange Cargo. About: community participation and working with large numbers of people; on bringing the best that the arts can offer to people’s doorsteps; and on having a hand in the restoration of Folkestone Station. Plus: the importance of celebration, 29 years of carnival and big old chunky guide books. Contact Talking Public Art Podcast:LinkedIn connect @FrancisKnight Ltd Instagram us at @artbirdsfkEmail us at [email protected] for listening & keep podcasting!Contact Talking Public Art Podcast: Instagram us at @artbirdsfk Linkedin connect @ FrancisKnight Ltd Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!
Guest speakers Nicole Mollett and José den Hartog discuss the rewards of community engagement and tapping into local knowledge
30.3.2023
41:08
In our final episode we talk to artists Nicole Mollett and José den Hartog.About: the rewards of community engagement and tapping into local knowledge; making things that people can use in their everyday lives; a shared love of books and drawing; and the importance of trust and letting artists do their job. Plus: fountains and follies, grotesques in old churches and a stuffed cat called Willem. Contact Talking Public Art Podcast: Instagram us at @artbirdsfk Linkedin connect @ FrancisKnight Ltd Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!
The days when local authorities still had money, with guest speaker, Caroline Hicks
27.2.2023
42:18
In this episode we talk to Caroline Hicks, Director of Growth & Community for Dartford Borough Council.About: the days when local authorities still had money; getting young creatives into Canterbury Market; commissioning bronze sculptures of Mick and Keef for Dartford Town Centre; the fear of a blank canvas and stretchy parameters. Plus: capturing the magic, measuring wow and glass fusing! Contact Talking Public Art Podcast: Instagram us at @artbirdsfk Linkedin connect @ FrancisKnight Ltd Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!
Paul Cowell talks to us about how his early creative experiences in Bradford, led to him commissioning art works in the public realm
19.1.2023
49:39
In this episode, we talk to Paul Cowell, Head of Culture & Libraries at Medway Council.About: growing up in Bradford and being inspired by his Mum’s involvement with Am Dram; creating environments and loving pavilions; the importance of words in public art. Plus: the positive power of beauty, dreams of a giant bobble hat and Take That. We talk about links to several projects mentioned by Paul: Peveril Gardens by Sanchez BentonTogether by Lucid Creates You & Me & Me & You by Anthony BurrillMe. Here Now by Mark Titchner Contact Talking Public Art Podcast: Instagram us at @artbirdsfk Linkedin connect @ FrancisKnight Ltd Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!
Guest speaker, Kerry Lemon, on escaping being pigeon-holed as an illustrator and getting into public art
15.12.2022
43:17
In this episode, we talk to artist Kerry Lemon About: escaping being pigeon-holed as an illustrator and getting into public art; being a one-woman B Corp; mentoring and supporting women to do what she does; leaving a societal and environmental legacy. Plus: being open, honest and sharing; why she can’t believe her own luck, and tap dancing! Contact Talking Public Art Podcast: Instagram us at @artbirdsfk Linkedin connect @ FrancisKnight Ltd Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!
Discussing the role of public art in giving a place an identity, with guest speaker Mark Osborn
17.11.2022
47:01
In our first episode, we talk to Mark Osborn, Assistant Director of Housing at Gravesham Borough Council. About: the role of public art in giving a place an identity; why a landscape-led development is usually a more successful one; and why public art should be thought-provoking and never designed by committee. Plus: reinventing town centres, a funny story about the Flying Geese in Ashford, and the joys of getting out a sketchbook. Contact Talking Public Art Podcast: Instagram us at @artbirdsfk Linkedin connect @ FrancisKnight Ltd Email us at [email protected] Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

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Talking Public Art

FrancisKnight

16 Episoden

Design and the importance of understanding the landscape, with guest speaker Joe Gerrard

The journey from sculptor to international public art curator, with guest speaker Victoria Jones

Creating opportunities for disabled artists with guest speaker Jo Verrent

Chris Dixon discusses how building networks and relationships can create the conditions for public art to happen

Guest speaker Brigitte Orasinski on community participation and bringing the best that the arts can offer to people’s doorsteps

Guest speakers Nicole Mollett and José den Hartog discuss the rewards of community engagement and tapping into local knowledge

The days when local authorities still had money, with guest speaker, Caroline Hicks

Paul Cowell talks to us about how his early creative experiences in Bradford, led to him commissioning art works in the public realm

Guest speaker, Kerry Lemon, on escaping being pigeon-holed as an illustrator and getting into public art

Discussing the role of public art in giving a place an identity, with guest speaker Mark Osborn