In On Display, artist Shirin Neshat is in conversation with Jamie Fobert, the architect of London’s newly reopened National Portrait Gallery, and its Director, Dr Nicholas Cullinan, moderated by Tim Marlow, Director of the Design Museum. Neshat reflects on her 2018 portrait of Nobel Peace Prize awardee Malala Yousafzai that was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery. The conversation explores the history of this much-loved institution and how its contemporary meaning is shaped through its program, its work with artists like Neshat, and in the very fabric of its building.
'I think what we ended up capturing is the true Malala, which is exactly that kind of paradoxical quality that I see in every human being: the sense of confidence, defiance, strength, pride, yet absolute vulnerability, fragility, insecurity.' – Shirin Neshat
Shirin Neshat is an Iranian-born artist and filmmaker living in New York. Jamie Fobert is a London-based architect and designer whose projects include the recently completed National Portrait Gallery, London. Dr Nicholas Cullinan is Director of the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Find images of the artwork discussed here.
This episode is presented in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery.
About Frieze Masters Podcast
Series two of the Frieze Masters Podcast is now available, bringing you our annual programme of live talks – the Frieze Masters Talks programme – curated by the Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Dr Nicholas Cullinan. These eight conversations between leading artists, writers, museum directors and curators all reflect the ethos of the Frieze Masters fair: looking at the past with a contemporary gaze.
The Frieze Masters Talks programme and the Frieze Masters Podcast are brought to you by Frieze in collaboration with dunhill, the foremost British luxury menswear house.
This podcast is a Reduced Listening production. The producer was Silvia Malnati and sound engineer was Andy Fell.
About Frieze
Frieze is the world’s leading platform for modern and contemporary art, dedicated to artists, galleries, collectors and art lovers alike. Frieze comprises three magazines – 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘻𝘦, Frieze Masters Magazine and Frieze Week; five international art fairs – Frieze London, Frieze Masters, Frieze New York, Frieze Los Angeles and Frieze Seoul; and No.9 Cork Street, a permanent gallery space in the heart of London.
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