Before we begin, a gentle note: in this episode we speak about death, grief, psychosis and depression. If you’re feeling tender, you might want to pause and come back when the time feels right. It will be worth it. Today, I am joined by the extraordinary artist Eddie Peake.

Eddie builds exhibitions the way some artists use paint. Space, for him, is a material. He constructs environments that place you inside the liminal fourth wall, that charged threshold between viewer and viewed, between participation and observation, between ecstasy and horror. In his shows, the audience becomes a protagonist.

We talk about masculinity stretched to breaking point, about desire and shame, about the theatre of intimacy and the politics shaping our cultural moment. Eddie pushes back on what the art world calls authenticity, questioning whether expression itself has become a learned, conservative language dressed up as radical. In an age of populist politics and market-ready aesthetics, he asks what it really means to resist.

If you’re an artist wrestling with identity, politics, envy, burnout, or the fear that your work is either too much or not enough, this conversation will resonate.

I hope it moves you as much as it moved me.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

 

·      The fourth wall isn’t just a boundary; it’s a live material. Treating space as something you can sculpt, like Eddie does, lets the viewer become a character inside the work, not a distant observer.

·      Fluorescent colour can carry psychic weight. What looks euphoric on the surface can also signal overload, instability, and states of mind that don’t sit neatly in polite language.

 

BEST MOMENTS

 

“This is your reminder that creative life is not linear. There are seasons of immersion and seasons of withdrawal”

“I really believe it's important to take Our time and not to feel a sort of outside pressure to be moving at 7000 million miles per hour at all times.”

 

RESOURCES

https://www.instagram.com/eddie_peake

 

HOST BIO

With over 35 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She has sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

 

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Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today!

https://cerihand.com/membership/

 

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Unlock Your Artworld Network Self Study Course

Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today.

https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/

 

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Book a Discovery Call Today

To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at hello@cerihand.com

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/