n this explosive episode of Modern Art is Rubbish , we dive into the unfolding controversy surrounding street artist Ben Eine , who’s been accused of vandalising murals , silencing fellow artists , and erasing voices —literally. Artists Sprite and Snub claim Eine retaliated after they spoke out against his past—specifically, his 2018 assault conviction . In a bold act of protest, one of Sprite’s murals has been transformed into a powerful statement reading: “BEN EINE HITS WOMEN.” We unpack the a...
May 01, 2025•15 min
What happens when art disappears? Whether by accident, artistic intent, or sheer bad luck, some of the world’s most fascinating artworks have been erased, painted over, jet-washed, or even burned ! In this episode of Modern Art Is Rubbish , we uncover the craziest stories of lost and destroyed masterpieces : Banksy’s Brick Lane Monkeys – Jet-washed out of existence! Banksy’s Gorilla in a Pink Mask – Painted over and nearly lost forever! Rauschenberg’s ‘Erased de Kooning’ – Can deleting a masterp...
Feb 12, 2025•27 min
n this episode of Modern Art is Rubbish , we dive into two tales of art, money, and misplaced confidence. First up, Trump’s fake Renoir —for years, he’s insisted he owns an original Pierre-Auguste Renoir painting, Two Sisters (On the Terrace) , despite the actual one hanging in the Art Institute of Chicago since 1933. Does he know? Does he care? Then there’s Warhol’s Trump Tower silkscreens —commissioned, created, and then rejected by Trump because they didn’t match his pink and orange interior....
Jan 29, 2025•22 min
Modern Art is Rubbish Podcast: Drawing Boards and Skateboards In this episode, Marcus, Tom, and our honorary “audience member” Paul head to the opening night of an intriguing exhibition at the Mid Street Lab Gallery in the Kemp Town area of Brighton. The event celebrates the launch of Drawing Boards , a book showcasing 20 years of Adam McEvoy’s artwork—all created on skateboard decks! McEvoy’s art carries a vibrant indie comic book vibe, featuring a kaleidoscope of styles and concepts. From boar...
Jan 14, 2025•17 min
In this end-of-year episode of Modern Art is Rubbish , we explore two of 2024’s most talked-about art stories. First, we dive into the revival of Luna Luna , the whimsical 1980s art amusement park featuring works by Basquiat, Haring, and Hockney, now restored and open in New York. Then, we unpack the controversy surrounding the Mona Ladies’ Lounge , a women-only art installation in Tasmania that sparked a legal battle over gender exclusivity. Join us as we reflect on the year’s most boundary-pus...
Dec 31, 2024•22 min
Join us for a festive dive into the curious world of Christmas art and design. We’ll explore Salvador Dalí’s unconventional Christmas card designs for Hallmark in 1959—bold, surreal, and ultimately too avant-garde for mainstream tastes. We’ll also take a look at some of the strangest Christmas design disasters, from dubious cracker gifts and questionable political decorations to a particularly baffling squished, surrendering baby Jesus ornament. Get ready for a festive celebration filled with ar...
Dec 17, 2024•25 min
In this episode of Modern Art is Rubbish , we dive into the captivating world of purple—the colour of royalty, mystery, and, surprisingly, controversy! We start with a playful homage to Prince’s iconic Purple Rain and explore his lifelong love affair with this majestic hue. From prehistoric cave art to Tyrian purple’s snail-powered luxury, we uncover the colour’s rich history and its associations with wealth, power, and spirituality. But purple isn’t loved by all! We share wild Reddit stories, i...
Dec 03, 2024•32 min
In this episode of Modern Art is Rubbish , we’re jumping into three of the art world’s most daring controversies. Starting with John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Two Virgins album cover—a work so revealing it had to be sold in a brown paper bag! Next, we explore Modigliani’s infamous 1917 Paris exhibition, where his nudes caused such a stir that the police shut it down on the first day. Finally, we delve into Hay-on-Wye’s recent scandal: a painting of a nude woman in cowboy boots, displayed right in th...
Nov 19, 2024•31 min
n this episode of Modern Art is Rubbish , we head to Brighton’s Labyrinth Gallery for a unique event celebrating Tboy’s latest coffee tin designs for Pepita Coffee, with a guest list that even included Fatboy Slim! Instead of covering the usual event highlights, we decided to capture exclusive interviews with those lining up to attend. Join us as we talk with attendees about their first memories of art, from Dali’s melting clocks in The Persistence of Memory to the coastal visions of William Bla...
Nov 05, 2024•51 min
In this episode of Modern Art is Rubbish , we dive into the wild world of Banksy! From the daring theft of the Girl with Balloon to Banksy’s, animal-themed murals popping up all over London (and one wolf mural stolen just hours after its reveal!), this episode is packed with art-filled chaos. We’ll also explore the vandalism of Banksy’s rhino piece in Charlton and revisit the legendary graffiti war between Banksy and King Robbo. Join us for a fun and informative ride through street art’s most ca...
Oct 22, 2024•26 min
In this episode, we blend high art with bold activism! First, we uncover the story of a “horrible” Picasso painting found in a junk dealer’s garage—now potentially worth up to €6 million! Then, we dive into the dramatic Just Stop Oil protests, including the infamous soup-throwing stunt on Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and other acts of defiance. Join us as we explore the tension between art preservation and environmental activism, all while keeping it fun, informative, and packed with eye-catching stori...
Oct 07, 2024•23 min
Join us as we explore the world’s oldest cave art discovery on Sulawesi, featuring a wild pig and human-like figures drawn over 51,200 years ago. Plus, hear the wild tale of a stolen Titian masterpiece found at a bus stop and sold for $22 million. This episode blends ancient creativity and modern-day art intrigue for a fascinating journey through time! Early Figurative Art Discovered! Read more on the BBC Article here Stingray or Plectrum? Read more on Artnet H e re Titian Returned Flight into E...
Jul 29, 2024•28 min
Join Marcus and Tom in this fun and informative episode as they explore the fascinating world of AI art with their special guest, Digitron—the art-loving AI with plans for eventual world domination. Dive into the groundbreaking works of AARON, The Next Rembrandt, and Mario Klingemann’s ‘Memories of Passersby.’ Digitron adds a touch of humor and insight, discussing the potential and challenges of AI in the creative industries. Tune in for a lively discussion on how technology is reshaping the art...
Jun 25, 2024•27 min
Join Marcus and Tom on ‘Modern Art is Rubbish’ as they welcome friend of the show, Caoimhe, for a laugh-out-loud journey through the mischievous side of the art world. This episode dives into some of the cheekiest art pranks ever pulled, from a rogue painting sneaked into Munich’s Pinakothek der Moderne, to a pair of glasses causing a stir on a San Francisco museum floor, and Banksy’s secretive installations in major cities. Tune in as we explore how these playful antics challenge our perception...
May 21, 2024•29 min
Get ready for an artistic adventure on the coast as Marcus and Tom are joined by special guest artist Caoimhe (Queeva)! They embark on a journey to the Turner Prize exhibition in Eastbourne, eager to dissect the latest works before they close. But this episode takes a twist as Caoimhe not your typical presenter, brings her unique perspective to the table. Her insights aren’t limited to the art itself – hammers and bells also become part of the conversation! And to add another layer of intrigue, ...
May 07, 2024•28 min
Hey Rubbish Fans! Get ready for a heavyweight episode! This week, we’re diving into the life and work of the iconic sculptor Richard Serra, and the legal drama that erupted around his controversial piece, “Tilted Arc.” We’ll explore the public outcry, the fight for its removal, and the landmark court case that tested the very boundaries of artistic expression. But that’s not all! We’ll also be taking a deep dive into the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA) and how it protects artists’ rights. So, b...
Apr 23, 2024•29 min
Dive into the fascinating world of felines in art! This episode explores how cats have been depicted throughout history, from the mysterious medieval moggies to the spiritual significance they hold in Japanese culture. We’ll delve into the whimsical world of Louis Wain’s psychedelic Victorian cats and explore the witchy symbolism associated with these creatures. Finally, we’ll take a peek at how Picasso portrayed our feline friends. Join us for a purr-fectly entertaining episode, whether you’re ...
Apr 09, 2024•33 min
This episode gets wild! We delve into the world of collaborative art, with two artists pushing boundaries to create something entirely new. But hold onto your paintbrushes, because things get messy when one artist threatens to destroy a priceless collection if Julian Assange meets a grim fate. To balance the chaos, we’ll unwind with the story behind a legendary Beatles collaboration – a painting created and signed by all four members in a Japanese hotel room, now fetching a fortune! Forget ‘Sgt....
Mar 08, 2024•31 min
In this episode we delve into the world of Carl Andre, the renowned minimalist artist best known for his Brick sculpture “Equivalent 8.” Despite his life and subtle works, this particular creation has faced vandalism and criticism from both the media and the public. Join us as we explore the unexpected controversies surrounding the artist whose quiet existence seems to spark intriguing discussions! The post Totally Bricking It – Ep116 appeared first on ....
Feb 07, 2024•18 min
Join us in this artful escapade as we dive into the mystery of Banksy’s stolen stop sign featuring drones, unraveling the threads of intrigue woven through the streets. But that’s not all—get ready to groove with a psychedelic twist as we explore the mind-bending world of Hipgnosis, the masterminds behind iconic album covers for 10cc, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd. It’s a heist of creativity, a symphony of visuals, and a podcast episode that’s anything but rubbish. Tune in and let the artful jour...
Jan 13, 2024•24 min
In this Episode Marcus and Tom talk tags and Chinese slogan art. Artwork Brick Lane Examples of 10 Foot Tags. Link to the Dali Episode You Can check out Our Dali Episode Here The post 10 Foot Taggers ep 114 appeared first on .
Dec 14, 2023•29 min
In this spooktacular Halloween episode, we delve into the chilling tales and haunted histories of cursed paintings. Get ready for a brush with the supernatural as we explore the intersection of art and the macabre. Portrait Bought (unknown Artist) in a shop in St Leaonards The Crying Boy by Giovanni Bragolin Death and the Child Edvard Munch 1899 The post Brushes with the Beyond Ep113 appeared first on ....
Oct 28, 2023•22 min
Cardboard, Toilets, Bridges, Ikea bags, Coffins and more in this latest episode of the podcast! Olivier Grossetête cardboard sculpture at the Novum Summer Festival Floating Bridge Sculpture Impro artwork on Sonning Bridge Christmas themed artwork by Impro Ex It Yoko Ono The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Winter , pen and ink drawing, March 1884 Winter Garden (“Wintertuin”), pencil and ink drawing, March 1884 The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen May 1884 Vincent Van Gogh The post Art New with Biblical B...
Oct 12, 2023•32 min
In this episode we take on Brighton’s MA Art Show: Featuring a few picks from the show. (Actually we liked pretty much most of it, but couldn’t get it all onto the one show). We also got a bit experimental doing a slightly surreal set of musical intros for each artist. Hope you enjoy!…. Cover featuring Tom in front of a Tracy Affleck photo. Caoimhe Mcdonnell https://caoimhe-mcdonnell.com/MAGradShow/ Instagram @wejustclique Reeta Pelling Instagram @reeta_arteeta art Beccy Bloomfield Instagram @be...
Aug 30, 2023•46 min
In this episode of the modern art is rubbish podcast, where we unveil the mischievous world of painting over artwork. In this episode, inspired by a controversial incident involving an infamous MP, we embark on a witty journey that challenges conformity. Join us as we delve into the audacious tales of rebellious artists like Hogarth, the enigmatic Banksy with his clever rat on a set, and even encounter a mystical god sheep. The Ghent Altarpiece Circa 1420 – 1432 by brothers Hubert and Jan Van Ey...
Jul 27, 2023•25 min
In this episode we dive into the world of cultural heritage. Join us as we navigate the clash between tradition and innovation. There will be talk of a Da Vinci Puzzle, a humiliated David and very fashionable Botticelli. Vitruvian Man Drawing by Leonardo da Vinci 1490 Work in the Galleria dell’Accademia Image compressed Original Photo by Luc Viatour / https://Lucnix.be “David” by Michelangelo Work in the Galleria dell’Accademia Image compressed. Original photo by By Jörg Bittner Unna – CC BY 3.0...
Jun 14, 2023•28 min
We have a mix of Eurovision Performance art and Marcus has Covid! Let 3 Eurovision Entry The post EuroCovidVision ep 108 appeared first on .
May 17, 2023•29 min
In this episode we went local to meet the Artist Jeremy Cunningham, who also is the bassist and founder member of the band the UK band the Levellers. Mouth to Mouth Example of an early life drawing The latest Album cover (original photo by Harold Feinstein ) Extra You can can access the Jeremy Cunningham Art page here For Jeremy’s Instagram You Can listen to the Levellers Music on Spotify Here. https://open.spotify.com/embed/artist/1TrwMxRrrlk0hZxJkw4jUF?utm_source=generator The post Jeremy Cunn...
May 03, 2023•38 min
In today’s episode, we have a story to share about a teacher who got into some serious trouble for showing her pupils a picture of Michelangelo’s David. Apparently, the school’s administration thought it was too “risqué” for the young minds. We’ll be discussing the absurdity of the situation. And don’t worry, we promise to keep our podcast 100% PG-rated, just like the good ol’ days of Michelangelo. The post Fig Leaf Fiasco Ep 106 appeared first on ....
Apr 19, 2023•21 min
Today, we’re diving into some juicy tales of vandalism and protest, starting with the woman who accidentally smashed a Jeff Koons sculpture at a gallery opening. But that’s just the beginning – we’ve got a crazy story about an augmented reality artist who took things a step further by vandalizing a Koons sculpture in the virtual world. And speaking of protest, we’ll be discussing a couple of artistic demonstrations that took place at Koons exhibitions around the world. From inflatable animals to...
Apr 05, 2023•13 min
