Ben Luke

For the next episode of GMAB, we’re with one of the most insightful and dedicated arts critics around: Ben Luke. If you’re in the art world orbit, you will have heard his voice, you’ve maybe even preordered his new book, possibly begged to go on his podcast. Ben is a contributing editor at The Art Newspaper, and hosts of two of its podcasts, The Week in Art and A Brush With, exploring the cultural experiences and greatest influences of everyone who’s anyone who’s an artist. Ben cut his teeth in the press office of Tate, was Deputy Editor and Features Editor of the late Art World Magazine, and went on to become an art critic at The Evening Standard before joining The Art Newspaper. He’s written essays and catalogues on the likes of Michael Craig‑Martin, Sean Scully, Phyllida Barlow, and is a member of the advisory board for the UK’s Government Art Collection – above all, he's a devout believe that art enthusiasm and criticism can go hand in hand. Now, with over 120 podcast guests under his belt (from Arthur Jafa to Marlene Dumas), he's come to know a thing or two about navigating the art world with curiosity, care, and a healthy amount of scepticism. Ahead of the release of his new book, What is art for? Contemporary artists on their inspirations, influences and disciplines, Harriet picks Ben's brains on 25 years of being an art critic (spoiler: there's joy, self-doubt, pain and tears), shamelessly harvests podcast tips from one of the best in the biz, and turns the tables to ask Ben his own favourite question, with a twist: what are critics for?

"One of the things about being a freelancer is just dealing with the knocking down, the pitches where you're desperate to write for somebody and they just aren’t interested.”