VVrkshop founder Paddy Johnson and artist William Powhida dive into their impressions of the 2025 Armory Art Fair in New York. In this episode, we explore how Frieze's new ownership has changed the fair's feel, from stricter security to the notable absence of mega galleries like Hauser & Wirth and Gagosian.
We break down the numbers - more than half of 2024's exhibitors didn't return, LA galleries dropped by 26%, and smaller works dominated booths as galleries adapted to market realities. The conversation covers standout pieces that caught our attention, from Nick Farhi's provocative glory hole installation at Europa to Nikita Gale's politically charged "Interceptor" barricade at 56 Henry.
We also dig into emerging art trends, including the rise of "art history textbook painting" where artists render historical styles in abstract brushstrokes, and discuss the troubling vacuum in art criticism. The episode touches on the political climate's impact on art-making and whether we're seeing the end of an era for large-scale art fair presentations.
Relevant Links:
The Armory Show
Tim Van Laere Gallery (Rinus Van de Velde)
Victoria Miro (Doron Langberg, Flora Yukhnovich)
Peter Blum Gallery (Marha Tuttle)
Europa (Nick Farhi)
56 Henry (Nikita Gale)
Yancey Richardson Gallery (Marilyn Minter)
Corbett vs. Dempsey (Cauleen Smith)
What If The World Gallery (Mia Chaplin)
Uffner & Lui (Talia Levitt)
Marinaro (Ever Baldwin)
Hess Flatow (Emma Safir)
Dastan Gallery (Tehran artists)
P40D Gallery (Piper Bangs)
Anton Kern Gallery (David Shrigley)
James Cohan (Simon Evans)
--------
50:54
--------
50:54
EP 91: Why Art Speak Persists and How to Ditch It
What exactly is "art speak" and why do artists continue to use it when we all agree it’s creates a poor reading experience? In this podcast, I break down the inflated language that clutters artist statements—from "liminal" and "corporeal" to meaningless spatial metaphors that make work sound more complex than it is.
Drawing on Alix Rule and David Levine's landmark essay "International Art English," I explore why vague academic language emerged from 1970s French poststructuralist influence and why it's stuck around for nearly 50 years. Plus, we discuss why clarity can become your competitive advantage as AI changes how we evaluate written materials and grant competitions intensify.
RELEVANT LINKS:
"International Art English" by Alix Rule and David Levine (2012)
Free Masterclass: "How to Build an Art Career When Traditional Paths Fail" - July 22nd, 7:30 PM EST Netvvrk membership: [JOIN HERE]
--------
12:31
--------
12:31
EP 90: Three Mistakes to Avoid when Applying for a Guggenheim Fellowship
In this episode, Paddy gives you the skinny on the Guggenheim Fellowship, one of the most prestigious awards for mid-career artists. The talk contains tips and strategies you won't find on their website, including knowing when to apply and how often. You won't find this information anywhere else, so have a listen. Even if you're not planning to apply, this episode will give you strategies for ALL grant applications.
Relevant links:
https://www.gf.org/
--------
11:42
--------
11:42
EP 89: This Is Artist Time with Natalia Nakazawa
Artist Natalia Nakazawa believes this moment of extreme uncertainty is actually "artist time"—when we need to step up as visionaries and fill the voids that traditional systems are leaving behind. This is the second interview in my series on how to find hope through artistic practice. Natalia has built multiple collectives and focuses on long-term sustainability over quick wins. We discuss making culture essential infrastructure and why artists need to connect beyond their silos. This is about training yourself to dream big and recognizing that artists are needed everywhere.
RELEVANT LINKS:
Natalia Nakazawa: https://www.natalianakazawa.com/
Socrates Sculpture Park Fellowship: https://socratessculpturepark.org/
Hue Museum: https://huemuseum.org/
Join Netvvrk: https://www.vvrkshop.art/i-want-to-netvvrk-now
--------
39:07
--------
39:07
EP 88: Bravery Earns you Hope: An Interview with Julie Peppito
After feeling demoralized by Trump’s election, artist Julie Peppito researched how to resist authoritarianism and merged her studio practice with street activism—what she calls "artivism."
Peppito, who is leading Saturday's No King's protest in NYC, believes artists are uniquely positioned to break through disinformation as messengers and visual communicators.
We discuss her four-part formula for building hope: community, social proof, joy, and collaboration, plus practical advice on organizing art builds, leading protests, and turning your studio into a "hope-making machine."
RELEVANT LINKS:
Julie Peppito: https://www.juliepeppito.com/
Julie Peppito Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliepeppito/
50501: https://www.fiftyfifty.one/
Indivisible: https://indivisible.org/
Heather Cox Richardson Newsletter: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/
The Ink by Anand Giridharadas: https://the.ink/
España