Podcast — David Humphrey

David Humphrey’s Radio Show 2004-2008

Join host David Humphrey as he invites different artists to talk about the music that matters to them and to select material for each show, with the faith that their playlists will reflect the vitality of their practice.

In this episode, David Humphrey interviews New York painter Richard Phillips. Richard presents a playlist that spans centuries, beginning with the evocative "O Fortuna" from Carmina Burana, and transitioning through European apocalyptic folk music to contemporary sounds emerging from Los Angeles. The conversation explores Richard's ideological perspective on how music embodies both beauty and aggression, emphasizing how his paintings evoke both love and violence simultaneously. Richard shares tracks from influential bands like "Death in June" and "Sol Invictus," which juxtapose haunting melodies with politically charged themes.
Richard Phillips (b. 1962) sources his subject matter from advertising, pornography, fashion spreads, and the news, to make hyperrealistic paintings that meditate on mainstream media’s obsession with sex, death, and power.
Image: Blauvelt, 2013. Courtesy of Artsy.

In this chapter, also called "An Effective Low Cost Solution for Combatting Mind Control," David Humphrey interviews painter Bruce Pearson about his work and how his music collection has grown over the years. Bruce shares his thoughts on psychedelia and appropriately, the idea of combating mind control in his practice. They also touch on the idea of hidden elements in his paintings, how he uses found text in his paintings, and whether or not Bruce has any guilty pleasure music. In this episode you'll hear music by The Boredoms.
Bruce Pearson makes distinctive and hypnotic works that push the limits of painting. Constructed on Styrofoam panels, his paintings are fields of sensuous color and intricately creviced surfaces, with visceral impact and optical effects.
Image: Hope and Comfort From the Other Side (2000), Courtesy of Bruce Pearson.

In this episode, host David Humphrey welcomes New York artist James Hyde. Known for his unique blend of consciousness and materiality, Hyde discusses his latest musical inspirations centered around the theme of "lost in music." The conversation explores the self-referential nature of art and music, touching on how pop songs often reflect personal narratives. Hyde shares tracks like Erykah Badu's "Rimshot" and Nas's "One Mic," highlighting their introspective qualities and how these themes resonate in Hyde's abstract work, where space and time become intertwined.
James Hyde is a contemporary artist who often employs unconventional materials when painting that range from plaster, nylon, chrome, and steel to styrofoam, glass, and more recently, photography.
Image: GRABBING (Goya), 2004. Courtesy of James Hyde.

In this episode, host David Humphrey is joined by experimental artist Oliver Herring. They explore the transformative nature of his art, which turns everyday activities into ritualistic and participatory experiences. Herring reflects on his artistic evolution from solitary practices to dynamic, collaborative projects like TASK, which invites spontaneous collaboration. The episode features a diverse musical selection curated by Herring, including the invigorating "In a Cave", a hauntingly dramatic aria from Mozart's "The Magic Flute" performed by the renowned "Queen of the Night", and evocative tracks by Joan Osborne and the mysterious Divan Turbinate".
⁠Oliver Herring⁠ is a visual artist known internationally for his use of experimental techniques as a means to better understand human nature, individual behavior, and interpersonal dynamics.
Image: Studio, working on Wade 2, 2006. Courtesy of

In this episode David Humphrey interviews artist John Kessler, whose innovative works have captivated audiences since the 1980s. After his exhibition at The Drawing Center, Kessler shares how the Grateful Dead shaped his early musical experiences as he formed a jam band called Shrek Noi, inspired by the band's improvisational style. He discusses the significance of dub music in his 1983 exhibition, highlighting Linton Kwesi Johnson's work, and the ambient sounds of composers like Brian Eno and Philip Glass that informed his mechanical art pieces. Kessler also touches on the impact of world music and sampling, particularly through David Byrne's My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, illustrating how these musical elements have intertwined with his creative process over the decades.
Jon Kessler (b. 1957, New York) builds chaotic kinetic installations to critique our image-obsessed, surveillance-dominated world.
Image: I’m Nothing Without You, 2012. Courtesy of Jon Kessler.

Join host David Humphrey for a conversation with multidisciplinary New York artist Rachel Mason. In this episode, Mason discusses her unique practice of inhabiting the psyches of political figures through songwriting. From imagining life as Saddam Hussein on his execution day to an unexpected correspondence with Manuel Noriega about their shared "infected canals," Mason's ability to forge profound connections across seemingly impassable divides is as disarming as it is insightful. Hear her perform tracks from her latest album, including the haunting "The Candidate" inspired by the 2008 presidential race, and gain insight into how nursing home visits shaped reflections on memory and presence in "The Oven Sky."

Rachel Mason (b. 1978) is an American filmmaker whose work includes performance art, music, films and multimedia projects.

Image: Holy Empire of The Jaw, 2009. Courtesy of Rachel Mason.

In this episode, host David Humphrey chats with the eclectic artist and performer Guy Richards Smit, also known as Maxi Geil. They discuss the origins of Smit's unique stage name, which blends Dutch and German influences, and explore the storytelling essence that permeates his work across video, music, and painting. They enjoy the 2007 premiere of his band's energetic new single "Making Love in the Sunshine" from their album "Strange Sensation," and listen to a curated selection of tracks that capture the spirit of youth and emotional depth.
Guy Richards Smit (b. 1970) is an American performance artist, painter, and singer-songwriter in the band Maxi Geil! & PlayColt.
Image: Burning Every Bridge, 2016. Courtesy of ⁠Charlie James Gallery.

In this episode, host David Humphrey talks to New York painter and writer Alexi Worth. Departing from the usual format of bringing music, Alexi introduces a unique twist by sharing poems spoken by their original authors, some recorded on old cassettes dating back over 25 years. As the conversation unfolds, David and Alexi discuss the intricate narratives of Alexi's paintings, drawing parallels between the compressed storytelling in his art and the essence of poetry. They explore themes of intimacy, resistance, and the complexity of artistic expression. From William Carlos Williams to Robert Lowell, James Dickey to John Berryman, and Richard Wilbur, each poem offers a glimpse into the profound and diverse landscape of human experience.
Alexi Worth (b. 1964) is a painter, curator, art critic, and writer who is known for his conceptually rich and visually graphic works that address modern life and artmaking.
Image: Green Bedroom, 2015. Courtesy of ⁠DC Moore Gallery.

In this episode, David Humphrey welcomes artist Benjamin Butler, an American painter living in Vienna, whose work explores the intricate relationship between trees and the air. Through their conversation, Benjamin shares insights into his artistic process, discussing influences from his upbringing in the Midwest to his experiences in art school. They delve into the complexity of Benjamin's paintings, which blend various styles and idioms, leaving the distinction between kitsch and high art blurred. The discussion extends to Benjamin's eclectic playlist, featuring Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" to the experimental sounds of early John Cage piano pieces, and personal compositions by Benjamin and Anne Eastman under Studio Cat.

Image: Thirty-four Trees at Sunset, 2007. Courtesy of Benjamin Butler.

In this episode, host David Humphrey welcomes New York painter Ellen Altfest. Ellen shares her insights and introduces listeners to a selection of country music, delving into its darkly humorous tones and lyrical storytelling. As David probes the unexpected pairing of country music with Ellen's art, she illuminates the parallels between the specificity of musical storytelling and the character-driven nature of her paintings. Through an eclectic playlist ranging from Christian hymns to classic tunes, Ellen shares the haunting melodies of "Poor Ellen Smith" by Felice & Boudleaux Bryant and the introspective depth of "The Christian Life" by The Byrds.
Ellen Altfest (b. 1971) s an American painter best known for her realist depictions of landscapes and still lifes that often blur the distinction between the two genres.
Image: Rock, Foot, Plant (2009). Courtesy of White Cube.

In this episode, host David Humphrey welcomes New York painter Lisa Sanditz. Lisa takes listeners on a musical odyssey, offering a unique perspective on American culture through a curated selection of songs that mirror the twisted beauty of her paintings. From the introspective melodies of "The American Landscape" by Gloria Deluxe to the rebellious anthems of "Warrior in Woolworths" by X-Ray Spex, each track serves as a sonic exploration of commercial retail spaces and the complexities of American life. As David delves into the thematic parallels between Lisa's art and her music choices, listeners are invited to reflect on the intersections between consumerism, identity, and imagination.
Lisa Sanditz (b. 1973) is a painter whose contemporary landscape paintings focus on the magnificence of desecrated land as a reflection of contemporary culture and the economy.
Image: Ameristar, 2006. Courtesy of Artsy.

In this episode, host David Humphrey interviews the painter Alexander Ross. Alex brings his eclectic home recordings from the late '80s to early '90s. From experimenting with a Tascam four-track recorder to creating a dense soup of sounds featuring wind-up toys, homemade wood chimes, and even live feeds from bands facing technical difficulties, Alex's playful approach to sound takes center stage. Alex reveals the hidden connections between his solid-looking paintings and the atmospheric complexity of his music.
Alexander Ross (b. Boulder, CO, 1960)
Image: Goosefoot (2015), Courtesy of Miles McEnery Gallery.

Join David Humphrey and his guest, the renowned New York painter Gregory Amenoff. Listen in as Gregory shares a curated playlist of tracks,from the soulful rhythms of Howlin Wolf's take on Willie Dixon's classics to the tender melancholy of Bob Dylan's "You Belong to Me" and the country nostalgia of Merle Haggard's rendition of "Miss the Mississippi and You." They discuss Gregory's dual roles as an artist and educator, the relationship between his abstract paintings and the songs he loves, and the ever-present thread of sentimentality that weaves through his life and work.
Gregory Amenoff (b. 1948) is a contemporary American abstract painter who employs both biomorphic forms in rich hues and thick textures.
Image: Light Trellis, 2006. Courtesy of ⁠Artsy⁠.

In this episode, David Humphrey interviews renowned visual artist Angela Dufresne. Beyond her dynamic relationship with art and cinema, Angela reveals the soundtrack to her life and creations. She shares haunting melodies of Scottish bands that evoke the misty highlands, to the whirlwind of emotions brought about by Japanese psychedelic tunes. This episode features a special deep-dive into how her favorite track, "Whispers in the Dark" from "The Spirals" and its inspiration for a pivotal piece in her upcoming noir-themed exhibition.
Angela Dufresne is a Brooklyn based American artist known for paintings that explore narrative in a variety of ways.
Image: Les Rallizes Denudes Concert (for the renovation of the Palais de Justice, Paris), 2007. Courtesy of Artsy.

In this episode, David Humphrey interviews Raphael Rubinstein, the esteemed poet and art critic. Together, they explore the intriguing relationship between music and writing, how music has influenced Rubinstein’s poetry, and the unique experiences that have shaped his perspective. He takes us on a nostalgic journey through an exclusive playlist of bands with artists in their line-ups, spanning from New York's vibrant late '70s scene to early 2000s Germany. This episode features Gregory Crewdson with The Speedies in "Let Me Take Your Photo," Bill Arning with the Student Teachers on "Past Tense," and tracks from Van Erland and the iconic Martin Kippenberger. The episode closes with "Manifestation of Your Sickness" by The Tenants, featuring our guest, Rubinstein, on lead guitar.
⁠Raphael Rubinstein⁠ (b. 1955) is Professor of Critical Studies at the University of Houston and a New York based art critic and poet.
Image: Photograph courtesy of ⁠The Museum of Nonvisible Art⁠.

In this episode, host David Humphrey welcomes German artist, musician, and writer Jutta Koether, who was exhibiting at the South London Gallery in a show called "Her Noise Collaboration" with Kim Gordon. Together, they created an installation called the Automatic Music Tent, featuring the concept of reverse karaoke. Jutta discusses their radical social interventionist practice, which explores the boundaries of expression and interaction in music and art. The episode concludes with more music selections, including tracks by Gang Gang Dance and Electrophilia—a music duo formed by Jutta Koether and Steven Perrino.
Jutta Koether (b. 1958) is a German artist, musician and critic based in New York City and Berlin since the early 1990s.
Image: Untitled, 2005. Courtesy of ⁠Artsy⁠.

In this episode, host David Humphrey welcomes artist Steve DiBenedetto, whose exhibition was on display at the Nolan Ekman gallery in lower Manhattan. Steve pays tribute to his late friend and music enthusiast, Steve Perrino, who influenced his musical taste and artistic journey. They discuss their past collaborations in playing music together, particularly their shared love for drums. Steve DiBenedetto's paintings exhibit a fascinating intersection of music and visual art, incorporating elements of menace and disintegration while maintaining a sense of structure and integrity. The music selections played during the episode, including tracks from Plastic Ono Band, Richard Hell and the Voidoids, Blue Oyster Cult and Motorhead.
Steve DiBenedetto (b. 1958) is known for his layered imagery and hallucinogenic scenes of industrial waste.
Image: Half a Place, 2005. Courtesy of David Nolan Gallery.

In this episode, host David Humphrey welcomes artist Shinique Smith, who was curating a show called "Cotton Candy on a Rainy Day" at Cuchifritos and the Laundromat Project in Brooklyn. Shinique plans to use clothing left behind as materials for sculptures and site-specific installations. David and Shinique explore the connections between her artistic practice and music, highlighting the influence of songs on her creative process. They delve into topics such as her graffiti origins, the balance between implosive and explosive energy in her sculptures and calligraphic-based works. Shinique shares a diverse selection of songs that have inspired her, ranging from Jimi Hendrix and Beastie Boys to KRS-One and Janet Jackson.
⁠Shinique Smith ⁠(b. is known for her monumental fabric sculptures and abstract paintings of calligraphy and collage.
Image: The Torch Heroes Bare, 2007. Courtesy of Shinique Smith.

In this episode, host David Humphrey welcomes painter James Siena. They discuss his show at Pace Gallery in 2005 and how his artwork carries a unique quality of self-erasure. At the same time, among his creations are captivating portraits of elderly individuals that seemed to have emerged organically from his work. Throughout the conversation, James shares his fascination with other cultures, reflects on reaching the milestone of turning 50, and discusses the influence of spoken word and music on his artistic process. James provides a curated selection of music ranging from Catalan to Spanish and Basque compositions, with the hope to show listeners something they haven't heard before.
James Siena (b. 1957) is recognized for his paintings typically created through a series of self-imposed constraints also sometimes referred to as visual algorithms —rules Siena decides on before sitting down to work.
Image: Battery Variations II, 2005. Courtesy of Miles McEnery Gallery.

In this episode, host David Humphrey interviews Fred Tomaselli, represented by James Cohen Gallery in New York and featured in the 2005 exhibition "Ecstasy" at MOCA in LA. Fred shares his music selections, including covers of LA punk songs and performances by local punk bands. Fred discusses his artwork and its connection to expanding consciousness. We leave with the resonating sounds of the Minutemen's cover of "ACC ACC ACC," a testament to the enduring spirit of Latino punk rock.
Fred Tomaselli (b. 1985) an American artist best known for his highly detailed paintings on wood panels, combining an array of unorthodox materials suspended in a thick layer of clear, epoxy resin.
Image: After March 21, 2020, Butterfly Population Declines, 2022. Courtesy of James Cohen Gallery.

In this episode, host David Humphrey interviews Alison Elizabeth Taylor, a connoisseur of the ancient craft of marquetry. David and Alison ponder whether the songs could serve as soundtracks for her paintings or if the characters in her art would listen to this music if given the chance. Alison reveals her initial skepticism about contemporary music, once believing that all the good music had already been created. Drawing inspiration from her new musical discoveries from the previous year and half, Alison curates a setlist featuring Archie Bronson, The Essex Green, Wooden Wand and the Sky High Band, Creation Lake by The Movies and Gnarls Barkley.
Alison Elizabeth Taylor (b. 1973) is known for her marquetry hybrid work combining Renaissance-style marquetry with painting and collage to depict contemporary subject matter.
Image: Swimming Pool, 2006. Courtesy of James Cohan Gallery.

In this episode, host David Humphrey welcomes Amy Sillman as she gears up for her show at Sikkema Jenkins and Co. in April 2010. She and Humphrey discuss dread and anxiety as Sillman shares some of her favorite love and sex songs with the audience. They listen to songs like, 'Humpty Dance' by Digital Underground, some Missy Elliot and MC Lyte in 'Cold Rock a Party,' and 'Prototype' by Outkast alongside others.
Amy Sillman (b. 1955, Detroit, MI) is known for process-based paintings that move between abstraction and figuration, and engage nontraditional media including animation, zines and installation.
Image: Split 4, 2020. Courtesy of Gladstone Gallery.

In this episode, host David Humphrey talks to artist Brian Belott and his friend Pete about their unique collection of audio material. The duo collects records, specifically family and amateur recordings of celebrations, jokes, and audio letters for loved ones. They believe that these recordings are time capsules that allow us to hear the thought progression, hesitations, breathing, and mistakes of the people who made them. The recordings were meant for private use but ended up being sold at flea markets and junk stores due to shifts in situations, such as death, moving out of the house, and moving to a different state. Brian's collages and abstract books are inspired by children's books from the '60s and '70s, and he enjoys rewiring them to create an extremely dense environment of fantasy and new feelings.
Brian Belott (b. 1973) is an artist, performer, and found object art collector based in New York City.
Image: Clock Eyed Cat #3, 2005. Courtesy of Loyal Gallery.

In this episode, David Humphrey interviews artist Jeremy Blake, whose exhibition Sodium Fox was on display at Feigen Contemporary in Chelsea. The two discuss the influence of rock and roll or as Blake describes it, "Poor man's therapy." Blake shares a playlist inspired by the radio station DC101, featuring songs by The Black Keys, Queen, Union Carbide Productions, and Ian Dury, among others. Humphrey highlights how Blake's drawings reflect the same kind of vitality and rawness that is present in the music.
Jeremy Blake (b. 1971-2007, OK) was an American digital artist and painter. His work included projected DVD installations, Type C prints, and collaborative film projects.
Image: Sodium Fox, 2005. Courtesy of Tillou Fine Art.

In this episode, host David Humphrey interviews artist, filmmaker and meta-puppeteer Laurie Simmons about her latest movie, "The Music of Regret." This movie marks the first time Simmons has given her puppets a voice, and Humphrey and Simmons discuss the challenges and joys of this new endeavor. Simmons talks about her past experiences playing with dolls and how it influenced her art. They also discuss the making of the film and the surprising emergence of Simmons' inner lyricist, which led to the creation of the film's songs. The podcast ends with a clip of one of the film's songs, sung by Meryl Streep and Adam Goettl.
Laurie Simmons (b. 1949) is an American artist, photographer and filmmaker.
Image: Color Pictures / William Baziotes, 2009. Courtesy of Laurie Simmons.

In this episode , David Humphrey interviews Matthew Higgs, an artist, curator, writer, and educator who is interested in exploring the spaces between these disciplines. Higgs talks about his teenage years in Manchester, where he wrote a fanzine, promoted shows, and started a small label. He also discusses his unique curatorial methods. Higgs shares some records from the 70s and 80s that blend typical rock forms with dance music. The first song they play is "Eminence Front" by The Who from 1982.
Matthew Higgs (b. 1964) is an English artist, curator, writer and publisher.
Image: Untitled (Artists Say the Silliest Things), 2008. Courtesy of White Columns.

In this episode, host David Humphrey interviews New York painter Katherine Bernhardt about her art and what inspires her. Katherine shares a playlist of dance music, reggae, and dancehall love songs that fuel her studio practice. David and Katherine discuss her love-love relationship with fashion and glamour, and how she uses fashion magazines as sources for her paintings. They also discuss the anarcho-vandalism style of her paintings and the revenge on glamour that she seeks to achieve through her art. The episode features music by Madonna, Sean Paul, Paris Hilton, and Kevin Liddell featuring John Legend.
Katherine Bernhardt (b. 1975) is an artist based in St. Louis, Missouri painting bright, expressive paintings of pop culture characters, food, and consumer goods.
Image: Giselle Cool Aid, 2007. Courtesy of Canada Gallery.

In this episode, host David Humphrey welcomes Nicole Eisenman, a painter based in New York. Together, they take listeners on a musical journey through Nicole's studio, exploring the songs and albums that influence her practice as an artist. They discuss how certain songs can evoke specific emotions and inspire creative work, like the lyrics from Art Brut's "Modern Art" ---"modern art makes me want to rock out." Throughout the episode, they play selections from artists such as Clore, John and Beverley Martyn, and Mo-Dettes for the feminists out there.
Nicole Eisenman (b. 1965), is a French-born American artist known for her oil paintings and sculptures.
Image: Another Green World (2015), Courtesy of Hauser & Wirth.

In this episode, host David Humphrey invites guest Nina Katchadourian, a comic, taxonomist, researcher, and inventor of novel ways to project meaning onto experience, to discuss her 2005 exhibit at Sarah Melter's gallery. Katchadourian's exhibit, called Zoo, features footage that Katchadourian shot in zoos over the past six to seven years and aims to recognize the double bind that comes with enjoying zoos despite their depressing and tragic aspects. In this episode, Katchadourian also shares her love for sounds and languages that are only partially known, and plays a Finnish song from the 1950s called "Dili Dili" to kick off the thematic thread of music and sounds from far away.
Nina Katchadourian (b. 1968, CA) is an interdisciplinary artist whose work includes video, performance, sound, sculpture, photography, and public projects.
Image: Artificial Insemination II, 1998. Courtesy of Pace Gallery.

In this episode, host David Humphrey interviews New York painter Dana Schutz about her creative process and how her paintings are grounded in fictional logic. They discuss how Dana's paintings are fictions, not narratives, and how the question "what if" generates subject matter until the paintings transform it to, 'it is.' They also talk about the comic dimension in her paintings and the absence of death in her work, as if they are frozen. Dana shares a live performance in Amsterdam she listens to while painting: David Thomas and Two Pale Boys' song "Surfer Girl." She also shares a demented song by Rod Keith called 'Ecstasy to Frenzy,' an American song poem anthology where ordinary people send in their lyrics and they set it to music.
Dana Schutz (b. 1976, MI) is known for formally inventive canvases that combine figuration and abstraction to construct complex visual narratives that engage the capacity of painting to represent subjective experience.
Image: Fight in an Elevator, 2015. Courtesy of David Zwirner.

In this episode, David Humphrey interviews Thomas Nozkowski, the late New York painter who has been written about frequently, but the writers always seem to struggle to describe what he does. Tom discusses his love for soul music, which he heard for the first time when he arrived in New York City in the 1960s. He describes that music as a model for his art-making because it's clearly defined form seems to give freedom to explore ideas. Tom shares three soul songs by Maxine Brown, Baby Washington, and Bettye LaVette, and discusses how his work is an attempt to squeeze emotion into these narrow idioms.
Thomas Nozkowski (b. 1944-2019) is recognized for his richly colored and intimately scaled abstract paintings and drawings that push the limits of visual language.
Image: Untitled (9-55), 2016. Courtesy of Pace Gallery.