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An in-depth conversation with award-winning sculptor and installation artist Zadok Ben-David, whose practice spans delicate miniature work to large-scale public installations. From his early beginnings in Yemen and Israel to representing his country at the Venice Biennale, Zadok shares the philosophical and practical journey behind his internationally acclaimed work. Discover how he transforms metal into poetic metaphors exploring human nature, evolution, and our relationship with the natural world (and how one installation changed a stranger's life forever).

Key insights from this episode:

• The path from abstract expressionism at St Martin's School of Art to creating massive figurative installations

• How 30,000 hand-painted flowers became one of the world's most travelled installations and the team of assistants who helped create them

• Behind the scenes of installing work across five continents, from prisoners in Germany to 70 assistants in Uzbekistan

• The commercial strategy that funds large-scale installations through smaller original works

• Why Zadok turned down a $1 million public art commission to maintain artistic integrity

• The profound moment when his Blackfield installation helped a Holocaust survivor find hope again

Zadok Ben-David is based in London and Portugal. You can find out more about his work on his website https://www.zadokbendavid.com/ and follow him on Instagram @zadokstudio https://www.instagram.com/zadokstudio/

Exhibition “FLOWERS. Art from the Renaissance to Artificial Intelligence” in Rome until 22 February 2026: https://www.chiostrodelbramante.it/post_mostra/flowers-flowers-art/

03:27 Work-Life Balance Insights

06:15 Journey to Art and Family Influence

09:17 Art School Challenges and Triumphs

10:19 Moving to London and Early Struggles

15:15 Discovering Sculpture and Teaching

21:06 First Installations

25:17 Animal Metaphors in Art

34:25 Global Exhibitions and Unique Experiences

38:23 Commercial Aspects of Art

40:33 People I Saw, But Never Met

44:58 Art Installations Around the World

48:58 The Other Side of Midnight

54:44 Challenges in Art Installations

01:04:37 The Healing Power of Art

01:11:40 Upcoming Exhibitions and Contact Information

Also mentioned in this episode:

Anish Kapoor: https://anishkapoor.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/dirty_corner/

Jerusalem Art Academy: https://www.bezalel.ac.il/en | https://www.instagram.com/bezalel_academy | @bezalelacademyofartanddesi1460

University of Reading: https://www.reading.ac.uk/ | https://www.instagram.com/uniofreading/ | @UniofReading

Chelsea College of Arts:

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In this bonus episode, host Anastasia Parmson explores what it really means to approach residencies as an installation artist. Beyond the logistics of time, space, and materials, we dive into bigger questions that shape the medium:

• How to make large-scale, site-specific work in short timeframes and unfamiliar contexts?

• What happens when you choose temporary or fragile materials instead of archival ones?

• Is the value of installation art in the object, the process or the audience experience?

• Could installation art be considered disposable or should we always aim for permanence?

Drawing from a recent experimental residency at DRAW Space in Sydney, Anastasia reflects on the challenges of working fast, improvising with cardboard and collaborating with others. But more importantly, you’ll be invited to consider your own approach to residencies, materials, and the long-term value of installation art.

Whether you’re an installation artist or simply curious about how these questions play out in practice, this episode offers insights and provocations designed to spark discussion.

00:00 Introduction and Listener Review

01:54 Invitation to Draw Space Residency

03:47 Challenges and Initial Thoughts

06:10 Execution and Community Involvement

08:21 Building the Installation

12:01 Final Touches and Open Day

15:43 Reflections on the Experiment

24:49 Conclusion and Future Plans

Did this episode raise questions or spark ideas?

We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, stories, or residency experiences:

• Leave a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/installationartpodcast

• Send a DM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/installationartpodcast/

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Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/installationartpodcast

Also mentioned in this epsisode:

DRAW Space: https://drawspace.org/ | https://www.instagram.com/drawspacesydney

Mentioned in this episode:

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An enlightening conversation with celebrated Danish artist Uffe Isolotto. Discover his journey from growing up in a remote town in Denmark to being selected to represent his country at the prestigious Venice Biennale.

Learn how Uffe balances work and life, the nuances of his collaborative process, and his unique approach to installation art.

Key insights include:

• The role of music and collaboration in his creative process.

• Uffe’s early inspirations and how he evolved from poetry to visual art.

• The logistics and challenges of creating large-scale immersive installations and collaborating with other artists and craftsmen.

• Behind-the-scenes about preparing for the Venice Biennale and the unexpected aftermath.

• Future projects and Uffe’s interest in film and world-building as part of his artistic practice.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of Isolotto’s process and his innovative approach to contemporary installation art.

You can follow Uffe on Instagram at @uffeisolotto https://www.instagram.com/uffeisolotto/ and learn more about his installation for the Danish Pavilion at Venice Biennale at @wewalkedtheearth https://www.instagram.com/wewalkedtheearth

04:47 Journey into Art and Education

10:07 First Major Projects and Public Art

12:34 Venice Biennale Experience

15:57 Collaborations and Challenges

18:19 Creative Process and World Building

28:04 Skills and People Management

30:49 Exploring Hyperrealistic Sculpture

31:30 Post-Venice Reflections

33:14 Venturing into Filmmaking

37:40 Artistic Practice and Longevity

44:49 Funding and Challenges

54:52 Advice for Young Artists

58:04 Current Projects and Future Plans

PS: We ran into a few technical issues during the recording of this episode, which means a small section of the conversation didn’t make it into the final cut and the audio isn’t perfect throughout. We appreciate your understanding.

Also mentioned in this episode:

NTS Radio: https://www.nts.live/ | https://www.instagram.com/nts_radio/ | @NTSLIVEUK

Danish Art Foundation: https://www.kunst.dk/english/about-us | https://www.instagram.com/statenskunstfond/

Thomas Foldberg: https://thomasfoldberg.dk/ | https://www.instagram.com/thomas_foldberg_studio/

Lars Von Trier: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001885/ | https://www.instagram.com/larsvontrier_/

Soft Baroque: https://softbaroque.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/soft_baroque/

Anne Sofie Madsen: https://www.instagram.com/annesofiemadsenstudio/

Carlsberg Foundation: https://www.carlsbergfondet.dk/en/ | https://www.instagram.com/carlsbergfondet/ | @Carlsbergfondet1876

Simon Starling: https://www.contemporaryartlibrary.org/artist/simon-starling-14184

Den Frie: https://denfrie.dk/en/ | https://www.instagram.com/denfrie.cph/

Holstebro Kunstmuseum: https://en.holstebrokunstmuseum.dk/ | https://www.instagram.com/holstebrokunstmuseum/

The Installation Art Podcast is a show about people who love and work with the contemporary art medium of installation. The host Anastasia Parmson, an artist herself, interviews internationally renowned artists and arts workers about the intricacies and behind-the-scenes stories of creating and...

Episode 32 features an unforgettable conversation with acclaimed New York-based sculptor and installation artist Petah Coyne. Known for her intricate, large-scale works crafted from an extraordinary range of materials – from dead fish and shredded trailers to wax, taxidermy, and black sand. Coyne’s career spans decades and her works are in major museum collections, including MoMA, the Whitney, the Met, and the Guggenheim.

In this candid, in-depth interview, she shares not only her creative evolution and technical processes but also the personal stories, risks, and moments of doubt behind her monumental career.

Key takeaways from this interview include:

• The wild true story of how 5,000 dead fish played a role in launching her art career.

• How Petah developed her own patented wax formula and the extreme logistics behind shipping large-scale works across the world.

• A behind-the-scenes account of her first major institutional installation and the unexpected accident that helped get it reviewed by The New York Times.

• Her perspective on rejection, persistence, and why she applied for grants every year for a decade before getting one.

• Thoughtful reflections on time, mortality, and the pressure artists feel to keep creating.

From poetic anecdotes to hard-earned wisdom, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a successful and deeply generous artist whose work, like great literature, lingers long after the first encounter.

03:52 The Dead Fish Prank

07:36 Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

14:40 How To Avoid School

16:00 Moving to New York

22:22 First Big Break and Installation Art

41:34 The Importance of Archival Quality

46:22 Finding and Working with Assistants

48:53 Fragility and Tactility of Artworks

51:09 The Stolen Sculpture Incident

54:36 Selling Large Sculptures to Collectors

01:07:04 Navigating the Art World

01:09:52 The Importance of Feedback

01:24:56 Funding Art Projects

01:31:01 Experimenting with New Mediums

01:37:43 Final Thoughts and Advice To Artists

Petah Coyne is based in New York and is represented by Galerie Lelong & Co., New York: https://galerielelong.com/artists/11-petah-coyne/

and Nunu Fine Art, Taiwan: https://www.nunufineart.com/petah-coyne

You can find out more about her work on her website: https://www.petahcoyne.org/

And follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petahcoyne

Also mentioned in this episode:

The Jealous Curator: https://thejealouscurator.substack.com/about | https://www.instagram.com/thejealouscurator/

Art For Your Ear Podcast, interview with Petah Coyne: https://www.thejealouscurator.com/blog/2020/11/20/just-be-wonderful/

Herron School of Art and Design: https://herron.indianapolis.iu.edu/

Art Academy of Cincinnati: https://www.artacademy.edu/ |

In this bonus episode of the Installation Art podcast, curator and art consultant Carrie Scott joins me to delve into the ongoing controversy surrounding the Venice Biennale Australian Pavilion.

Together we discuss:

• How artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino were appointed to represent Australia at the 2026 Venice Biennale and then abruptly cancelled

• The procedural, political, and social dimensions of the decision made by Creative Australia, its impact on the local and international art scene, and what it means for artistic freedom

• How the Australian arts community is responding to the shock decision

• Carrie shares her personal experiences and insights, offering a poignant perspective on the value of art that challenges and provokes.

We also touch on recent tragic news that affects the Biennale more broadly and raises questions about who has the authority to decide what kind of art is “acceptable” or what art is about.

05:02 The Australian Pavilion Controversy: An Overview

06:51 Selection Process for the Australian Pavilion

10:46 Creative Australia's Decision and Backlash

12:10 Senate Hearing and Further Repercussions

17:36 Personal Reflections on the Controversy

38:40 National Pavilions and Curator's Theme

39:09 Tragic Passing of Koyo Kouoh

42:38 Journalist's Role and Agenda

45:16 Art and Political Sensitivities

48:14 Personal Reflections on 9/11

53:16 Curatorial Challenges and Responses

58:59 Speculations and Broader Implications

Carrie Scott is a curator and art consultant based in London: https://www.carrie-scott.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/carriescottcurates/ 


SEEN is a next-generation art consultancy, shining a light on the opaque world of galleries, auction houses and dealers: https://www.seen.art/ | https://www.instagram.com/watchseenart/ | @watchseenart

📬 Got comments? Share your thoughts: SpeakPipe.com/InstallationArtPodcast

Or DM us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/installationartpodcast/

If you want to help the Sabsabi-Dagostino project in Venice, go to this website: https://khaledsabsabi.com/support-the-venice-biennale-2026-exhibition-by-khaled-sabsabi-curated-by-michael-dagostino/

Or purchase a unique artwork by Sabsabi to help raise funds: https://unvanishedsabsabi.myshopify.com/

Khaled Sabsabi speaks: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-art-show/khaled-sabsabi-speaks/105050484

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/audio/2025/apr/01/exclusive-khaled-sabsabi-speaks-on-the-damage-of-being-dumped-from-the-venice-biennale-full-story-podcast

Also mentioned in this episode:

Khaled Sabsabi: https://khaledsabsabi.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/peacefender/

Michael Dagostino: https://www.sydney.edu.au/museum/about-us/our-people.html

Creative Australia: https://creative.gov.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/creative.australia/

Venice Biennale: https://www.labiennale.org/en | https://www.instagram.com/labiennale/ | @BiennaleChannel

Adrian Collette:

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In this episode, we speak with Elizabeth Lewis, Public Art Division Manager at Tilt Industrial Design, who offers a fascinating insider's perspective on how large-scale public artworks are engineered, managed, and brought to life. Elizabeth reveals the complex ecosystem of stakeholders involved in creating public art and shares invaluable advice for artists looking to break into this challenging but rewarding medium.

What you will learn:

• How industrial designers like Elizabeth act as "translators" between artists' creative visions and the technical requirements needed to bring monumental works to life

• The truth about public art budgets and practices

• Practical advice for artists wanting to venture into public art, including starting with temporary installations and test sites

• How indigenous artists are bringing multidisciplinary approaches to public art that may reshape the entire field

About Elizabeth Lewis:

Elizabeth Lewis is the Public Art Division Manager at Tilt Industrial Design, an Australian firm specialising in technically complex and ambitious public art projects. With a background in industrial design, she has overseen numerous large-scale installations throughout Australia, working with established artists, emerging creators, and First Nations storytellers to translate artistic visions into enduring public works.

03:17 Early Life and Inspirations

04:39 Educational Journey

05:39 First Job Experiences

08:01 Transition to Tilt

14:58 Challenges in Public Art

18:29 Skills and Learning

33:50 Project Timelines

35:55 The Lifespan of Public Art

45:49 The Role of Public Art Curators

48:01 Building Networks and Identifying Artists

50:49 First Nations and Indigenous Art

53:01 The Growth of Public Art in Sydney

59:09 Convincing Developers to Invest in Art

01:05:08 Advice for Emerging Public Artists

01:24:53 Current and Upcoming Projects

01:26:08 Where to Find More Information

Tilt Industrial Design: https://tilt-industrialdesign.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/tiltindustrialdesign

Also mentioned in this episode:

ResMed: https://shop.resmed.com.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/resmedanz/ | @resmedanz5242

BOC: https://www.boc.com.au/shop/en/au/home | @boclimited

Tim Phillips: https://tilt-industrialdesign.com/news-media/media/tilts-tim-phillips-managing-director-featured-in-boutique-developer/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timphillipsdesigns/

Ateliers Jean Nouvel: https://www.jeannouvel.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/ateliersjeannouvel/

Yann Kersale: https://yannkersale.com/ |

Leave a tip: https://donate.stripe.com/4gw4km4VpeUwdkkbIL

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In this episode, we sit down with Belgian artist Lawrence Malstaf, whose innovative work exists at the fascinating intersection of visual art, performance, and theatrical experience. Based in Tromsø, Norway, Malstaf has earned international acclaim for his immersive installations that transform viewers into active participants.

Episode Highlights:

• Lawrence shares his journey from studying industrial design (rather than fine art at his parents' suggestion) to discovering how this technical background gave him invaluable skills in working with contemporary materials.

• We discuss Malstaf’s famous vacuum piece "Shrink" (1995), where participants are sealed between plastic sheets while air is slowly removed, creating both a striking visual image and physical experience that differs dramatically for viewers versus participants.

• His recent focus on sustainable art practices and an innovative project creating "hotels" for endangered kittiwake seagulls in Tromsø, transforming an urban nuisance into an interspecies art project.

02:44 Quick Questions

05:27 Childhood and Early Influences

07:51 Industrial Design and Artistic Beginnings

09:46 Theater and Installation Art

16:41 Creating Opportunities and Multidisciplinary Spaces

21:50 Sustainable Art and Seagull Project

25:16 Audience Interaction and Physical Experience

29:19 Behind The Scenes Challenges

32:48 Artistic Evolution and Viral Fame

38:22 Sustainable Art Practices

41:48 Income From Art

44:27 Proudest Moments and Career Reflections

47:42 Advice for Emerging Artists

49:44 Internship Opportunity

51:48 Dream Projects

58:46 Where to Find More Information

Lawrence Malstaf (b. 1972, Bruges, Belgium) is based in Tromsø, Norway. He creates installation and performance art that exists at the borderline between visual arts and theatrical experience. With a focus on movement, coincidence, order and chaos, he develops immersive sensorial environments that often position visitors as co-actors in the artwork. His background in industrial design informs his technical approach to materials and mechanisms, while his experience in scenography for dance and theater influences the performative aspects of his installations.

You can find out more about his work on his website: https://www.lawrencemalstaf.com/ and get the latest updates on his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawrencemalstaf/

Malstaf is represented by Tallieu Art Office: https://www.artoffice.be/artists/lawrence-malstaf/

All images courtesy of the artist.

Also mentioned in this episode:

Ischa Tallieu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ischatallieu/?originalSubdomain=be

Tailleu Art Office: https://www.artoffice.be/ | https://www.instagram.com/tallieu_art

Bains Connective in Brussels:

Episode 28 features an in-depth conversation with Australian-American artist Natasha Johns Messenger, renowned for her architectural interventions, site-determined work and public art commissions.

Key insights from this interview include:

• How her educational journey shifted her from figurative painting to abstraction and then installation art and filmmaking.

• The distinct creative and logistical differences between public art and to museum installations.

• Behind-the-scenes stories of unexpected technical issues and the importance of the right collaborators in her creative process.

• The impact of her filmmaking studies on her artistic career and the dream projects she envisions for the future.

00:00 Quick Fire Questions

03:38 Early Artistic Influences

07:23 Art School Journey

12:48 First Exhibitions and Installations

16:19 Expanding Horizons: New York and Beyond

37:13 Public Art vs. Installation Art

42:17 Public Perception of Art

45:30 Challenges in Public Art Installations

48:23 Unexpected Installation Issues

55:10 Career Decisions and Filmmaking

59:09 Significant Opportunities

01:04:11 Dream Projects and Future Plans

01:05:55 Meeting the Queen of Holland

01:09:06 Current and Upcoming Projects

01:15:15 Public Artworks to Visit

Find out more about her work on her website: https://www.natashajohnsmessenger.com/ Follow her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natashajohnsmessenger

Also mentioned in this episode:

Robert Irwin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Irwin_(artist)

RMIT: https://www.rmit.edu.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/rmituniversity/ | @rmit

Gertrude Contemporary: https://gertrude.org.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/gertrudecontemporary/ 
Bala Starr: https://weareuntold.org/2024-women-of-gold/bala-starr

Kate Shaw: https://www.kateshaw.org/ | https://www.instagram.com/kateshawart/

Bus Projects: https://busprojects.org.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/busprojects/

The Museum of Dirt: http://www.artdes.monash.edu.au/globe/issue9/mdtitle.html

Max Delaney: https://www.instagram.com/maxdelany/

Australian Centre for Contemporary Art: https://acca.melbourne/ | https://www.instagram.com/acca_melbourne/

MCA: https://www.mca.com.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/mca_australia | @mcaaustralia

Centre for Contemporary Photography: https://ccp.org.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/ccp_australia/

ACP: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Centre_for_Photography

Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts: https://pica.org.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/pica_perth/

International Studio & Curatorial Program: https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-studio-&-curatorial-program-iscp-/ | https://www.instagram.com/iscp_nyc/

Creative Australia (formerly Australia Council): https://creative.gov.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/creative.australia/

Sara Reisman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-reisman/ | https://www.instagram.com/reismansara/

Station Gallery: https://stationgallery.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/stationgalleryaustralia/

A Streetcar Named Desire: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Streetcar_Named_Desire

BAM: https://www.bam.org/ | https://www.instagram.com/bam_brooklyn | @BAMorg

Cate Blanchett: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000949/ | https://www.instagram.com/cate_blanchettofficial/

Bowness Photography Prize: https://maph.org.au/bowness-photography-prize/ https://www.instagram.com/maph_photography/

Strange Engine: https://www.strangeengine.org/

John Wardle Architect: https://wardle.studio/ |...