Podcast: Episode 8 - My body

All bodies are worthy of love and respect. In episode eight of the National Museums Liverpool Podcast we explore stories about our bodies, each with their own unique link to the museums and Liverpool.

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Content warning: this episode explores stories related to eating disorders and abortion.
 

Body ideals (Listen from the start - 10 mins10)

Taking inspiration from sculptures in Ancient Greece, we speak to World Museum curator, Chrissy Partheni, and discover how body ideals from the ancient world have influenced our thinking about beauty today.

"The muscles on male statues allude to a kind of refined beauty and evoke desire"

Ancient Greek statue of a man
Statue from our Ancient Greek collections

 

Body positivity (Listen from 10 mins 10 - 19 mins 24)

We hear the inspiring journey of Instagrammer Kea-ra Jackson, who had difficulties with body image and eating habits, before arriving in a place of body acceptance.

"We are told to love our bodies. But you’re told by society, you should hate your body."

Selfie of a smiling woman
Kea-ra Jackson

 

Body autonomy and activism

Paula Rego's 'Abortion Series' (Listen from 19 mins 25 - 32 mins 54)

Through the etchings in our art collections by celebrated artist Paula Rego, we uncover the personal and political stories behind Rego’s abortion series with University of Liverpool lecturer, Ana Bela Almeida. We also get a unique insight into the artist's motivations from Paula Rego's son, Nick Willing.

"Paul Rego gives women their revenge. Here, they are the ones taking power"

Selfie of smiling woman
Ana Bela Almeida

 

Male body image (Listen from 32 mins 54 - 42 mins 54)

Finally, we find out how John Moores Painting Prize artist, David Lock, sets out to challenge representations of male body image and masculinity in the media, creating work with provocative undertones, from a Queer perspective.

"It’s a kind of Frankenstein’s monster, made of these body parts."

Artist painting a picture
David Lock

 

Credits

Host: Megan McGurk
Stories by: Nina Franklin, Megan McGurk, Mary Olive 
Production partners: Melodic Distraction
Post-production: Rory Ballantyne
Editorial Lead: Lisa Jones
Creative Director: Scott Smith