Q. We love seeing new takes on old paintings. Who is an artist excelling in the field? . A. Ewa Juszkiewicz is a gifted artist who does incredible work here. In May of 2022, Juszkiewicz saw her striking ‘Portrait of a Lady (After Louis Leopold Boilly)’, featured above, sell for radically

Q. You do you. Flaunt your edges. Who cares what they think?  “Let your freak flag fly”.  Where did this phrase originate? . A. Credit Jimi Hendrix. Born in Seattle – November 27th, 1942 – Hendrix popularized the phrase in his song ‘If 6 was 9’. It was the 7th

Q. Public libraries offer such a unique glimpse at a wide range of people absorbed in all manner of topics. There is also so much to be learned from poking about home libraries, big and nook. Who are some artists who have captured library life on canvas? . A. It’s

Q. Sound tastes vary, of course. As does the type of space in which different types of music are best showcased. Overall, however, which concert halls do experts feel have the best acoustics? . A. First of all: what exactly are ‘acoustics’? Merriam Webster offers: ‘a science that deals with

Q. The Oscars are coming next Sunday and, with that, much reflection around all things film. What are some of your favourite movie themes of all time? How would people answer this question more broadly? . A. BBC Music Magazine led a poll around this question in 2019. The winner

Q. Here, from the safety of the outside world, we can say it. Macbeth. But step into a theatre. and you’re unlikely to hear anyone uttering the name of Shakespeare’s 30thplay outside of the script. How did Macbeth’s name become so feared in theatrical circles? . A. “The Scottish Tragedy”. ”

Q. With tomorrow – Valentine’s Day – comes a spotlight on romantic love. Some revel in the celebration: chocolates, candies, flowers! Others can do without the reminder or the calendar pressure, thank you very much. What are some famous paintings that celebrate the joys, pains, and drama of love? . .

Q. As Valentine’s Day draws near: what are some ways in which luminaries of the past have celebrated the heart? . A. If there is one person who would appreciate our love of Valentine’s Day hearts, it’s Aristotle. ‘The seat of the soul and the control of voluntary movement –

Q. Debates rage around how best to measure viewership across private and public platforms. But, one thing we know for sure: many of us spend much time streaming masses of content. Which shows were particularly popular in 2022? . A. OG cable trackers Nielsen are now using ‘people-powered panels and

Q. January may be the universal ‘eat less, exercise more’ month. But, surely we can have some remembrances of things past through art. What are some notable works that celebrate the decadence of a feast? . A. . Banquet Still Life with self-portrait of the artist in the silver jug Abraham