Royal Academy Of Arts

Actor, director, writer, producer, and recently appointed Artistic Director of London’s Young Vic theatre, Kwame Kwei-Armah joins broadcaster Sarah Crompton to discuss mistakes, family, loneliness, getting death threats, serving the next generation of artists, the fun of theatre, and the enduring difficulties of getting your play on stage.

Catch up on a panel discussion between Dame Mary Beard, Adrian Rifkin, Jemima Stehli and Jacky Klein as they take our 'Renaissance Nude' exhibition as a starting point to explore how we depict, look at and respond to the nude across historical and contemporary arts. How have our attitudes on the nude changed throughout history? How does representation of the nude differ throughout the creative arts? How have topics such as gender, sexuality, power and beauty been represented and affected through the varying depictions of the nude?

Catch up on this panel discussion between British filmmaker Mike Leigh, historical consultant and author Jacqueline Riding, and Oscar-nominated production designer Suzie Davies, as they discuss the importance of truth, storytelling and revealing hidden histories in film. What is the balance between fact and fiction? How does a director’s style influence the development of character, place and narrative? What is the significance of the historical film today? This panel discussion was held to mark the display of JWM Turner RA’s 'Helvoetsluys: - the City of Utrecht, 64, Going to Sea' and John Constable RA’s 'The Opening of Waterloo Bridge', which will be exhibited at the RA side-by-side for the first time since 1832.

Catch up on this event with renowned artist Phyllida Barlow CBE RA discussing her practice, career and current exhibition at the RA with contemporary art critic, Gilda Williams. For more than 50 years, Phyllida Barlow has taken inspiration from her surroundings to create imposing installations. She creates anti-monumental sculptures from inexpensive, low-grade materials such as cardboard, fabric, plywood, polystyrene, scrim and cement. The seams of their construction are left at times visible, revealing the means of their making. The audience is challenged into a new relationship with the sculptural object, the gallery environment and the world beyond.

In this panel discussion recorded in the RA's Benjamin West Lecture Theatre, Julia Farrington, Associate Arts Producer at Index on Censorship, Psychoanalyst and Professor, Adam Phillips, and artist Celia Hempton explore the challenges in creating erotic art in today’s contemporary art world. The talk was chaired by journalist and broadcaster, Kirsty Wark.

As part of our 2019 International Women’s Day programme, Feminist Time, Rose Wylie RA is joined by the Director of Tate Modern, Francis Morris to discuss her projects and achievements, and explore the difficulties she has encountered in the art world. Find out more about this year's International Women's Day programme: https://roy.ac/2VH74ml

This event is part of a series of conversations between philosophers and architects which examine the relationship between architecture, politics, the environment and gender. For the second conversation in the ‘Aesthetics and Architecture’ series, philosopher Jacques Rancière will be joined by architect Farshid Moussavi RA to discuss aesthetics and architecture, and their connection with space and politics. Warning: contains strong language!

Part of our Architecture series, this conversation looks at the effect of today’s technological revolution, on what it means to be human and how we can reshape London in response. Acclaimed economist Kate Raworth joins architect and Dark Matter Laboratories founder Indy Johar as as they explore how technology can enable the visualisation and transformation of the values and parameters defining contemporary cities, and proposing new models for a more equitable urban environment. Please note, the event was held in connection with an RA display which is now closed: https://roy.ac/2H5ViOq

In this talk recorded in the RA's Benjamin West Lecture Theatre, internationally renowned artist Barbara Rae RA discusses her career and recent body of work, ‘The Northwest Passage’, inspired by her recent journeys to the Arctic. Barbara Rae's book on the project is available in the RA Shop: https://roy.ac/2Ubecam

Catch up with this conversation with acclaimed New Zealand artist Lisa Reihana, as she discusses the panoramic video installation that was on show as part of 'Oceania' last year. This landmark exhibition showcased diverse art of the region of Oceania, from the historic to the contemporary – but if you missed it, you can also catch up with our series of Oceania stories here: https://roy.ac/2NU90rA If you'd rather watch a video of Lisa Reihana in conversation, you'll find it here: https://roy.ac/2E3tpU0

"Sometimes we need to spend time doing nothing – just stare into space. We need that fallow time," says Lauren Child, when journalist and author Nicolette Jones poses the question "how do you come up with your ideas?" This, and many more thoughts about creativity, from the 'Charlie and Lola' author and Waterstones Children's Laureate, in this inspiring talk from the RA's Festival of Ideas.

Four leading artists are put on the spot with questions about art, culture and creativity, debating the importance of arts education, the civic role of museums and galleries, and artistic inspiration. Chaired by the RA’s Artistic Director Tim Marlow, the event formed the finale of the RA Festival of Ideas. Look out for details of the next Festival of Ideas line-up, coming soon: https://roy.ac/FOI2019

Celebrated photojournalist Don McCullin describes his experiences of war, poverty and suffering across the world during his 50-year career. Part of the Festival of Ideas programme, McCullin talks of sacrifices and consequences that have resulted from his commitment to the camera. Come to the next Festival of Ideas live in the RA's Benjamin West Lecture Theatre – line-up coming soon: https://roy.ac/FOI2019

The bestselling author of over 140 books for children, Michael Morpurgo talks to journalist and critic Claire Armitstead at the RA Festival of Ideas about his two new novels. 'In The Mouth of The Wolf' tells the epic true story of Morpurgo’s two uncles during World War Two, while 'Flamingo Boy', inspired by the author’s grandson, focuses on a young autistic boy living in France during the Occupation. Come to the next Festival of Ideas live in the RA's Benjamin West Lecture Theatre – line-up coming soon: https://roy.ac/FOI2019

Goldie sits down with broadcaster and journalist Nihal Arthanayake to discuss the story behind his passion for both music – and his place in the birth of drum ‘n’ bass – and visual art, with his success as a graffiti artist in the 1980s. Following a traumatic childhood, which he describes in his memoir 'All Things Remembered', Goldie believes creative expression saved his life. Look out for details of the next Festival of Ideas, coming soon: https://roy.ac/FOI2019

In a frank discussion with broadcast journalist Georgina Godwin, Franny Moyle talks about the challenges of writing on well-known artists, how she goes about renanimating their life stories, and why she didn’t use her degree in Art History to become a museum specialist. Look out for details of the next Festival of Ideas, coming soon: https://roy.ac/FOI2019

Designer Thomas Heatherwick speaks to the RA’s Head of Architecture Kate Goodwin at the RA Festival of Ideas, about some of his most celebrated architectural projects, including the Rolling Bridge in London, the 2012 Olympic Cauldron and the newly opened Coal Drops Yard in Kings Cross. Look out for details of the next Festival of Ideas line-up, coming soon: https://roy.ac/FOI2019

Experimental artist and designer Es Devlin provides an insight into her process for creating unique kinetic sculptures for theatre, opera and pop concerts, museums and galleries at the Festival of Ideas. With clients ranging from Beyoncé and Kanye West to the Barbican, Devlin is an expert at creating a stage to enhance any performance. Look out for details of the next Festival of Ideas line-up, coming soon: https://roy.ac/FOI2019

Renowned as one of the most sublime dancers of her generation, Tamara Rojo speaks to broadcaster John Wilson about her role as Artistic Director and Lead Principal dancer of the English National Ballet. Speaking at the RA Festival of Ideas, Rojo shares how she discovered ballet, the euphoria of being on stage and coming to terms with the physical limitations of age. Look out for details of the next Festival of Ideas, coming soon: https://roy.ac/FOI2019

Rupert Goold, Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre, and playwright James Graham discuss the importance of the theatre in the current cultural climate. Chaired by journalist and broadcaster Sarah Crompton at the RA's Festival of Ideas, the speakers emphasise the value of creating communities through live theatre. Look out for details of the next Festival of Ideas line-up, coming soon: https://roy.ac/FOI2019