HENI Podcasts

This episode traces the birth of the Ancient Japanese tea ceremony and the aesthetic of wabi-sabi, or the art of finding beauty in imperfection. A tale of philosophy, political power, and two tea masters who paid for their art with their lives.

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In this episode Alastair and James begin the first in a four part series about the life and work of Vincent van Gogh.

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Bernard Palissy was an artist, scientist, inventor and one of the most extraordinary figures in the history of ceramics. Driven by religious faith, a fascination with nature, and an obsession to discover the secret of white enamel, he devoted years to relentless experimentation, sacrificing his fortune, and burning almost everything he owned in pursuit of perfection. In this episode Paul Greenhalgh and Stephanie Rozene uncover the remarkable life of the French Renaissance potter whose distinctive rustic wares transformed European ceramics.

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In this episode Alastair and James tell the second part of the story of the life and work of the Swiss artist, Alberto Giacometti.

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This week on The History of Ceramics, we explore the remarkable ceramics of the Ming Dynasty, when Chinese porcelain reached new heights of beauty and craftsmanship. From iconic blue-and-white wares to the great imperial kilns of Jingdezhen, we discover how Ming potters created ceramics that captivated the world.

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In this episode Alastair and James tell the first part of the story of the life and work of the Swiss artist, Alberto Giacometti.

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This week Paul Greenhalgh and Stephanie Rozene explore the remarkable ceramics of the Tang Dynasty, one of China's greatest periods of artistic innovation. They venture down into the depths of their magnificent tombs and discover the wonders of their funerary wares., ceramic creations that capture life in the Imperial Court from dancers, polo players, concubines, warriors and magnificent horses. These treasures open a window into a golden period of Chinese history but also show how the Tang potters transformed the art of clay and influenced ceramic traditions around the world.

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In this episode Alastair and James explore Vermeer's masterpiece The Milkmaid.

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"This week on The History of Ceramics, we tell the remarkable story of Hans Coper, who arrived in Britain as a refugee with no experience of pottery and became one of the defining ceramic artists of the twentieth century. We explore his creative partnership with Lucie Rie, the bold sculptural forms that made his work unique, and the lasting legacy he left on modern ceramics. Join Stephanie Rozene and Paul Greenhalgh as they discover how Hans Coper transformed clay into one of the great artistic languages of the modern age."

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In this episode Alastair and James tell the third and final part of the story of the life and work of Frida Kahlo.

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This week on The History of Ceramics, we explore the extraordinary life of Lucie Rie. Forced to flee Vienna in 1938, Rie rebuilt her life in London and became one of the most influential ceramic artists of the twentieth century. We trace her journey from refugee to pioneer, discovering how her elegant forms, innovative glazes, and uncompromising vision transformed modern studio pottery. Join Stephanie Rozene and Paul Greenhalgh as they uncover the remarkable story of Lucie Rie—and how one artist changed the history of ceramics.

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In this episode Alastair and James tell the second part of the story of the life and work of Frida Kahlo.

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