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artsJun 30, 20221:04:41pending

Clara Amfo

Talk Art

About this episode

Talk Art Season 13 continues with a broadcasting LEGEND!!! We meet Clara Amfo, one of British radio and television’s most dynamic voices and faces. An award winning broadcaster, podcaster and television presenter best known for her work on BBC Radio 1, where she hosted the official chart and the world famous Live Lounge. She currently hosts Future Sounds, breaking the new music from rising and established musicians.


A little known fact about Clara is that she collects art and is friends with many artists. Her brother also collects art and photography and his record collection even inspired the teenage Clara to get into the artistic side of music - including the album artwork of Lauryn Hill. We discuss the art scene in Accra, the awesome capital of Ghana. We learn about Clara's art collection and why she is an advocate for living with art at home - from postcards to prints to unique paintings! We learn about her new role as Trustee of Royal Academy of Arts in London's Green Park and how she's been brainstorming about how to make art more accessible for everyone.


During the pandemic, Clara collaborated with the Serpentine Gallery during their major survey of British-Ghanaian photographer James Barnor. Clara is a big fan of Barnor's work, whose career spans six decades, two continents and numerous photographic genres through his work with studio portraiture, photojournalism, editorial commissions and wider social commentary. Clara also introduces us to the work of Ted Pearce aka Ted’s Draws known for illustrations of iconic musicians, as well as Josephine Chime, a contemporary painter who has in recent years created portraits of Clara’s mother and father.


She remembers an Inspiring studio visit to the Brixton-based artist Abe Odedina. We explore why art exhibitions are the perfect venue for dating and Clara reminisces about memorable exhibitions she's visited such as Faith Ringold, Kehinde Wiley at the National Gallery and Lubaina Himid's current solo exhibition at Tate Modern and the impact that Yinka Ilori’s 'Better Days Are Coming I Promise' public artwork had on London during lockdown.


Follow Clara on Instagram: @ClaraAmfo

Visit her official website: www.claraamfo.com

Learn more about the Royal Academy and the Summer Exhibition 2022 at @RoyalAcademyArts


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Clara Amfo

Talk Art

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