The Art Bystander
Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar 48 episodes Nov 11, 2026
The Art Bystander is a podcast that meets the individuals shaping the art industry today and tomorrow, from artists and gallerists to curators, advisors, collectors, and financial backers. Hosted by Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar, each episode offers insight into the people and ideas driving the contemporary art world. The show is available on Acast and has an accompanying website and Instagram.
Episodes
#64 Charles Riva
Charles Riva on Collecting and the Freedom to Sell. What happens when a painting becomes so compelling that you cannot stop thinking about it? And how do you balance that desire with the financial realities of collecting?Recorded in London during Frieze week, this episode of The Art Bystander brings together Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar and Charles Riva, the collector and former gallerist whose car
#63 Maitha Abdalla
Maitha Abdalla on folklore, guilt and the landscapes she paints. At her grandmother’s house in Khorfakkan, Maitha Abdalla remembers waking to the call to prayer, her grandmother’s voice and a rooster she had been taught could see angels. Years later she gave the bird a companion in her paintings. The rooster and the pig might fight, hold a conversation or become intimate. Both, she says, are her.R
#62 Juergen Teller & Dovile Drizyte
Juergen Teller and Dovile Drizyte join Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar for a conversation about the creative partnership at the centre of their shared life.From his portraits of Kate Moss and Kurt Cobain to his collaborations with Marc Jacobs, Helmut Lang and Vivienne Westwood, Teller has developed one of photography’s most recognisable approaches. Here, he and Drizyte discuss how working together cha
#61 Isabelle Zetterström
Isabelle Zetterström on painting the inner world. In her London studio, British-Swedish artist Isabelle Zetterström joins Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar to discuss the imagined landscapes through which she explores emotion, memory and the changing self.Recorded in October 2026, the conversation begins with a new series of paintings made for Stockholm. Zetterström describes using light and shadow to e
#60 Jenny Palén
Jenny Palén on dreams and making art before understanding it. In her studio outside Stockholm, artist Jenny Palén joins Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar for a conversation about the images that arrive before their meaning becomes clear.Moving between painting, sculpture, film, textiles and scenography, Palén follows an idea before deciding what form it needs. Sometimes, she only understands what a work
#59 Omar Kholeif
Omar Kholeif has curated more than 100 exhibitions and written or edited over forty books. Showing their own paintings under their own name, however, meant giving up something they had wanted to keep private. Recorded at Kholeif’s home in East London, this episode of The Art Bystander brings Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar into conversation with the artist, author, curator and broadcaster about the ex
#58 Jordan Roth & Adam Charlap Hyman
Jordan Roth spent years helping other people bring their creative visions to the stage. Eventually, he began to miss his own. His route back started with something he could practise every day: getting dressed.Recorded in Paris during Art Basel week in October 2026, this episode brings together the artist, actor and seven-time Tony Award-winning theatre producer and designer Adam Charlap Hyman for
#57 Emilia De Stasio
You can love a work of art and still question its price. You can support an artist and still want to understand what happens when you need to sell.In this episode of The Art Bystander, Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar joins collector and Artscapy co-founder Emilia De Stasio in London for a conversation about the emotional convictions and financial decisions that shape a collection.With a background spa
#56 Valerio Polimeno & David Rotschild
What happens when you spend enough time with a painting to imagine living with it? In this episode of The Art Bystander, our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar speak with David Rothschild, Sotheby’s Head of Contemporary Art Private Sales in the UK and Global Lead for Private Sales Exhibitions, and Valerio Polimeno, founder of _POLIMENO, about Chez Sotheby’s.Taking place from 19–24 October during Art
#55 Karen Boros
Collector Karen Boros joins Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar in the latest episode of The Art Bystander podcast. Karen Boros and her husband Christian began by collecting artists of their own generation. As they grew older, they made a deliberate decision to keep following younger artists, eventually those of their son’s generation. Collecting became a way of staying engaged with experiences and ideas
#54 Lidewij Edelkoort & Philip Fimmano
Lidewij Edelkoort on how long trends really take“Most of the time we only work on the long-term trend. Because the short TikTok things, for a few weeks, are not really interesting in the long run. They just give shape to the big movement. Recently, I showed my books to a publisher and we came to the conclusion that most trends take 20 to 25 years to arrive and to really blossom.”What happens when
#53 Mira Bernabeu
What changes when an artist runs a gallery? Recorded inside 2 Mira Archiv in Madrid, this episode of The Art Bystander Podcast brings Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar together with Spanish artist and gallerist Mira Bernabeu, founder of 1 Mira Madrid and an archive space dedicated to conserving, digitising and exhibiting cultural material.Bernabeu’s career connects the making of images with the practica
#52 Michael Sailstorfer
In Berlin, a gallery floor is disappearing, one stone at a time.In this episode of The Art Bystander Podcast, Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meets Michael Sailstorfer at Galerie Judin’s Mercator Höfe space for a conversation about artistic freedom, physical labour and the uncertainty that runs through the German artist’s latest installation, Pull the Rug.Around 11,000 paving stones cover the exhibiti
#51 Erwin Wurm
In this episode of The Art Bystander Podcast, Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar is joined by Erwin Wurm on the occasion of Mind Bubbles & More at Carling Dalenson in Stockholm, running from 22 September to 31 October 2026. One could easily say Erwin Wurm is one of the world's most recognized and respected artists today.Born in Bruck an der Mur, Austria, in 1954, Wurm has spent more than four decades
#50 Cy Schnabel
“If I was going to open a gallery, it needed to have a very personal identity.” I met Cy Schnabel at Villa Magdalena in Madrid during Apertura Madrid Gallery Weekend to record a conversation for The Art Bystander podcast.Born in New York in 1993 to Julian Schnabel and Basque designer Olatz López Garmendia, Cy grew up around artists, filmmakers and musicians, with access to his father’s studio from
#49 Anne Vieth & Philipp Solf
Berlin’s cultural power was built on cheap space, unfinished buildings and artists willing to live precariously. The city is wealthier now, but can the people who created its value still afford to remain?For this episode of The Art Bystander Podcast, Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar speaks with Philipp Solf, entrepreneur, collector and one of the people behind Wilhelm Hallen and HALLEN 07, and Dr Anne
#48 Michèle Lamy & Scarlett Rouge
In this episode of The Art Bystander, Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar enters a conversation with Michèle Lamy and Scarlett Rouge.Michèle Lamy is often introduced in relation to Rick Owens, but that has always felt like an incomplete way of understanding her.Born in France’s Jura region in 1944, into a family shaped by the Resistance, Lamy studied law in Lyon, attended the philosophy lectures of Gilles
#47 Michele De Lucchi
In today's episode Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meets with design legend Michele De Lucchi. Born an identical twin, he grew up being treated, as he remembers it, almost as half of the same child. At 18, the brothers chose different disciplines, different cities and different appearances. His brother shaved; Michele grew the beard that has stayed with him ever since.“When you design something, you h
#46 Jérôme Pantalacci
In this episode of The Art Bystander Podcast, I speak with Jérôme Pantalacci, founder and director of Art-o-rama in Marseille.At the end of August, I will travel to Marseille for Art-o-rama, a fair that has developed one of the most distinctive identities on the European art calendar. Founded by Jérôme in 2007, Art-o-rama has become known for its concentrated scale, its commitment to emerging gall
#45 The Art Daddy
For this summer episode, I’m joined by The Art Daddy for their first-ever interview.The Art Daddy is a New York City-based art and culture reporter, critic, educator and artist who has spent more than a decade covering the contemporary art world.Their writing has appeared in The Art Newspaper, ELLE, ARTnews, Artnet News and many other publications, and they have taught and lectured at universities
#44 Miramar Al-Nayyar
In this episode, our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar is joined by Miramar Al-Nayyar, the Iraqi artist whose UK solo debut opens today (July 3, 2026) at Saatchi Yates in London. Miramar is the inaugural winner of the Saatchi Yates Fellowship Prize, selected from more than 5,000 submissions worldwide. She is 29, based between Amman and Abu Dhabi, and paints with a maturity that shows in her command
#43 Lea Bischofberger
I'm speaking today with Lea Bischofberger, a Zurich-based gallerist and art dealer whose life and work are bound up with one of the most remarkable legacies in postwar and contemporary art.The Bischofberger name runs through some of the defining artistic relationships of the late twentieth century. Her father, Bruno (who passed away in late spring 2026), was a legendary gallerist who worked with A
#42 Nadya Tolokonnikova
Today, Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar is joined by Nadya Tolokonnikova — conceptual artist, musician, activist, wanted criminal, and one of the founders of Pussy Riot, the Russian feminist protest-art collective formed in Moscow in 2011.Tolokonnikova spent nearly two years in a Russian prison after Pussy Riot’s 2012 performance Punk Prayer inside Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour — an action t
#41 Claes Nordenhake
In this episode, Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar speaks with Galerie Nordenhake about the role of the gallery today, the importance of sustained artist relationships, and how a gallery with Nordic roots continues to operate within an increasingly global contemporary art world.Founded by Claes Nordenhake in Malmö in 1976 (meaning celebrating 50 yr in 2026), Galerie Nordenhake is one of Scandinavia’s mo
#40 Marc Spiegler
In this episode of The Art Bystander, our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar is joined by Marc Spiegler, one of the key figures shaping the global art market over the past decade.Having led Art Basel from 2007 to 2022, he helped transform the fair from a marketplace into a global cultural platform—redefining how art is experienced, communicated, and sold. Today, Spiegler operates across a portfolio
#39 Frej Forsblom
In this episode, Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meets with Frej Forsblom a Finnish gallerist and the founder of Makasiini Contemporary, which he established in Turku in 2016. With a clear international outlook from the outset, Makasiini has developed into one of the more dynamic contemporary art platforms in Finland, working with a new generation of artists while actively positioning them within a br
#38 Daniel Arsham
In this episode of The Art Bystander, host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar sits down with Daniel Arsham, one of the most influential contemporary artists working today — an artist whose work treats the present as if it were already history. Arsham is internationally known for what he calls “fictional archaeology”: sculptures, objects, and environments that imagine contemporary culture as relics of the
#37 Barbara Corti
In this episode of The Art Bystander, Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meets with Barbara Corti, Partner at Hauser & Wirth and Senior Director overseeing the gallery’s spaces in Zurich Limmatstrasse and St. Moritz.Having spent more than two decades with the gallery across Europe and the United States, Corti brings a rare perspective on the evolving geography of the contemporary art world. After fou
#36 Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar
This episode is for you — my loyal friends and followers who share my deep love for the purest form of human expression there is: art.Many of you have asked me to open up more, to share what sits behind the platform, the voice, and the choices — so here we are.As The Art Bystander marks its three-year anniversary this February, I sit down for an intimate conversation with my life and business part
#35 Marlies Wirth
Today on The Art Bystander, I speak with Marlies Wirth, Curator for Digital Culture and Head of the Design Collection at the MAK in Vienna, about one of the most quietly radical figures of late-20th- and early-21st-century culture: Helmut Lang. Our conversation turns not to his later sculptural practice, but to the architecture of a legacy that reshaped how we understand design, communication, ide
#34 Paris Photo
Welcome back to The Art Bystander, the podcast that explores the stories, ideas, and people shaping the world of contemporary art. Our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar is taking you behind the scenes of one of the most influential art fairs in the world — Paris Photo. Founded in 1997, it has become the leading international fair dedicated entirely to photography, a place where artists, collectors,
#33 Francesca Grima
Today on The Art Bystander, our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar is joined by Francesca Grima — Creative Director of GRIMA Jewellery, and the guardian of one of the most influential design legacies in modern jewellery.Her father, Andrew Grima, changed everything. Often called the father of modern jewellery, he treated gold like sculpture, embraced raw stones in their natural form, and pushed the a
#32 Elliot Safra
The art world is undergoing a profound transformation. Traditional models of collecting and dealing are giving way to new players, platforms, and hybrid business models that blur the lines between galleries, auction houses, advisors, and digital marketplaces. At The Art Bystander, we are closely following these shifts—where technology, luxury, and creativity intersect to redefine how art is experi
#31 Volta & Affordable Art Fair
In this episode, our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar turns the spotlight on two art fairs that have each shaped the mid-tier ecosystem in distinct ways.The Affordable Art Fair, founded in London in 1999 by Will Ramsay, has grown into a global franchise with editions in over a dozen cities — from Hong Kong to Hamburg, New York to Stockholm. With its price cap of around €10,000, the fair has opened
#30 Brenda Weischer
In this episode of The Art Bystander, the host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar, is meeting a guest who is one of the most distinctive cultural commentators of her generation: Brenda Weischer, known to many simply as BrendaHashtag.Brenda is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose work moves fluidly between fashion and art. A graduate of Central Saint Martins in London, she has always approached fashion l
#29 Camilla Engström
In this episode, Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar of The Art Bystander is honored to have Camilla Engström as guest—an artist whose bold, dreamlike paintings have captured audiences around the world. Born in Örebro and now based in Los Angeles, Camilla has developed a unique visual language where landscapes, flowers, and the female form intertwine—often playful, always deeply connected to nature, and f
#28 Alexandre Diop
In this episode of The Art Bystander, Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar is joined by Alexandre Diop — one of the most compelling and radical voices in contemporary art.Born in Paris in 1995 to a Senegalese father and a French mother, Diop lives and works in Vienna. His practice spans painting, sculpture, and assemblage, anchored in what he calls “object-images” — emotionally charged compositions made fr
#27 Marcus Jansen
The Art Bystander No27: Marcus Jansen. In this episode our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar, sit down with internationally acclaimed artist Marcus Jansen whose work has been exhibited at the Bronx Museum of the Arts, the Smithsonian Institution, and Documenta among others. From his early years between the Bronx and Germany to serving in the U.S. Army and later becoming one of the most important pa
#26 Cristina Ljungberg
In this episode of The Art Bystander, host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar engages in a captivating conversation with Cristina Ljungberg, founder of the Firestorm Foundation—a non-profit organization based in Stockholm that was established in 2021 to support female and nonbinary artists while fostering inclusivity in the art world. Cristina opens up about the foundation's mission to champion unde
#25 Simon De Pury
In this episode of The Art Bystander, our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meets with Simon de Pury.Simon de Pury @simondepury is a pivotal figure in the art world, celebrated as an auctioneer, art dealer, curator, photographer, and DJ. Known for his legendary auction performances, which have earned him the moniker ‘the Mick Jagger of auctions,’ de Pury combines charisma with profound knowledge of
#24 Joel Shapiro & Ugo Rondine
In this unique episode of The Art Bystander, the host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meets with the world famous sculptors Joel Shapiro and Ugo Rondinone. They are part of a group show at Carling Dalenson Gallery together with Michael Craig-Martin, who unfortunately couldn't participate in the conversation. In the relaxed and intimate dialogue with Joel and Ugo, they touch on their role as artists, i
#23 Nicolas Hugo
In this episode of The Art Bystander, our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meets with Nicolas Hugo, the now leader of Ateliers Hugo.Ateliers Hugo, nestled in Aix en Provence, France, has been a bastion of creativity since the early 1950s, crafting exquisite jewelry and limited-edition objects in gold. Their legacy intertwines with history, embracing tradition, skilled craftsmanship, and collaborat
#22 Björn Wetterling
In this episode, Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar, is entering an inspiring and insightful conversation with Scandinavian art world legend Björn Wetterling.1984, in the heart of Stockholm, at the iconic Kungsträdgården 3, something remarkable happened; Wetterling Gallery opened its doors. This moment marked the beginning of what would become a cornerstone in Sweden's contemporary art scene.Under the vi
#21 Camelia Esmaili
In this episode of The Art Bystander, Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meets with Camelia Esmaili the founder and managing director of l’Atelier Camelia, a research-based art advisory and collection management firm based in Paris and Dubai having catered to some of the major art collectors in the Middle East and France, she caters to both the private and public sector for investment value art collectio
#20 Sharon Stone
In this episode of The Art Bystander our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meets none other than the legendary Sharon Stone. Known worldwide for her illustrious career in film, Stone has also carved a unique space for herself in the world of art, a facet we are excited to explore in this conversation.Sharon Stone's journey in the arts extends beyond her iconic roles in cinema. Her engagement with t
#19 Silvana Lagos
In this episode of ‘The Art Bystander’ our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meets with Silvana Lagos in a relaxed conversation to discuss art curating, how to price art, the role of art in democracies and her latest ventures in art across the globe.Silvana Lagos is a curator and writer based between London, UK, and Stockholm, Sweden. She is the artistic director of Meridian Creative Center – El An
#18 Sammi Liu & Gunia Nowik
In this episode of the Art Bystander our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meets with Sammi Liu of Tabula Rasa Gallery and Gunia Nowik of her namesake gallery to discuss the current state of the art world in Poland and China - and their participation at the group show CMA in Stockholm.CMA (Contemporary Myths and Artifacts) is an ambitious project that brings together a group of international galler
#17 Peder Lund
Peder Lund, a seasoned figure in the world of art, started his career in the 1990s as an art dealer, curator, and gallerist. In 2009, he took a bold step after two decades in the art dealership industry by establishing his own gallery. His primary goal was to foster a more engaging dialogue with the Norwegian and Scandinavian public while enhancing Oslo's global prominence in the art scene. This v
#16 Sergio Sancho & Sara Coriat
In this special episode, our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar is meeting with Sergio Sancho and Sara Coriat of CAN Ibiza.This summer Ibiza is once again the epicenter of contemporary art thanks to CAN Art Fair, which repeats its edition for the second consecutive year and brings together the latest in contemporary creation by hosting up to 37 galleries and more than 150 artists coming from Hong Ko
#15 Julie Quottrup Silbermann
In this episode of The Art Bystander, our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar, talks to Julie Quottrup Silbermann who during 2022 was appointed as the new director of CHART in Copenhagen, one of the most prominent contemporary art fairs in Northern Europe.CHART has always been known for its groundbreaking exhibitions and cutting-edge presentations, and with this new directorship, Julie Quottrup Silbe
#14 Erik Torstensson
In this episode of ‘The Art Bystander’ our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meet with Erik Tortensson to discuss his relationship to art, both professionally in the intersection between art and fashion, but also his own ventures as an emerging artist. Be ready for an engaging discussion.Erik Torstensson is FRAME co-founder and chief creative director. The retail brand he describes as a hybrid of ‘
#13 Kate Bryan
In this episode our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar will be delving into the fascinating world of Kate Bryan, Director of Art at Soho House, and a renowned art historian, curator, and television presenter who is passionate about making art accessible to everyone. Kate shares her extensive knowledge and experiences with a global audience.Kate often says that she talks about art, even when no one i
#12 Aleksandar Stojanovski & Peter Gerdman
In this episode of The Art Bystander, our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar, meets with Aleksandar Stojanovski and Peter Gerdman of Public Service Gallery.Public Service was founded in 2022 by Peter Gerdman, Aleksandar Stojanovski and Axel Söderberg. Sprung from a shared passion for the mechanisms of the art world and collecting patterns, they want to accompany a new generation of Scandinavian coll
#11 Ashik & Koshik Zaman
In this episode of The Art Bystander, our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meets with Ashik and Koshik Zaman.They are brothers and founders of C-Print. C-print started as a non-commercial initiative with the objective of popularizing contemporary art and highlighting diversity in artistic practices. Initially an online publication with a very active and daily presence on social media, it late
#10 Brittney Leeanne Williams & Katharine Kostyál
In this episode our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar talks with artist Brittney Leanne Williams and gallerist Katharine Kostyál.Brittney Leeanne Williams (b. 1990, Pasadena, CA) transforms Southern California vistas into what she calls “emotional landscapes: representations of psychological states, memories, and emotional ties,” often staging a red, bent figure in tableaux where the natu
#9 Carl ”The Art Reporter” Larsson
In this episode our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar talks with LA-based Swedish art dealer Carl Larsson about how to do art business. Larsson is not only an acclaimed art advisor running one of the most inspiring art accounts on Instagram The Art Reporter — but he's also a very nice and humble guy. Talking points are:Running an art dealership for three generations.Helping Tim ”Avicii” B
#8 Coulisse Gallery with Filip Zieciak, Jeanette Gunnarsson & Hank Grüner
In this episode, our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar talks about the hyped Coulisse Gallery with owners Filip Zieciak and Jeanette Gunnarsson. We’re also guested by Hank Grüner, who debuts his shamanistic art at the gallery on November 4. If the last episode was about running a gallery for 30-plus years, this conversation is about setting up a new space and how to build relevance.
#7 Marina Schiptjenko
In today's episode, our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar is joined by Marina Schiptjenko, art gallery legend, pop star and actor. Marina Schiptjenko was born in 1965 in Malmö, Sweden. In 1986 she moved to Stockholm to study comparative literature and theatre at Stockholm University. Parallel to her studies she worked for Swedish Radio, hosting her own program series on electronic music and re
#6 Saskia Neuman
Saskia Neuman Gallery represents Nordic as well as internationally based artists. The exhibition program reflects a strong focus on early and mid-career artists, often previously not exhibited in Sweden’s commercial gallery sphere. In addition, the gallery aims to host a variety of happenings, including talks, performances and other events.Prior to opening the gallery Saskia Neuman held the p
#5 Jerry Gogosian
In this episode, our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar sits down with Jerry Gogosian to speak on her art meme page @jerrygogosian, and the general state of the art industry. Jerry Gogosian is jet setting blonde who loves collecting expensive blue chip art, outbidding her enemies at auction, and working remotely from St. Tropez in the summer and Gstaad in the winter. Jerry Gogosian is jet setti
#4 Jonas Kleerup & Edin Kjellvertz
In this episode, our host Roland-Philippe Kretzschmar meets with Jonas Kleerup and Edin Kjellvertz. We discuss:The intersection of art and design.Have the (white cube) galleries outplayed their role?The new art and design fair and platform Cream.Jonas Kleerup is an art consultant and advisor based in Stockholm. He works mainly with larger corporate clients like Hufvudstaden, The Absolut Company, E
#3 Stockholm Art Week with Joanna Sundström, Sylvia Rynell & Sara Berner Bengtsson
In today’s episode, we give our listeners an ultimate guide to Stockholm Art Week 2022, taking place April 27 - May 1.Joanna Sundström joins as co-host. She is a central figure in the world of Scandinavian art, as the founder of Stockholm Art Week and advisor to galleries, curators and collectors.Stockholm Art Week is a platform showcasing leading Nordic art fairs alongside many of Stockholm’
#2 Lina Aastrup & Solenne Tadros
In today’s episode, Lina Aastrup joins as co-host. She is a curator and writer with a particular interest in contemporary photography and New Media Art that deals with political and environmental issues of our time. She recently finalised her MA thesis where she investigated the intersection of medium-specific qualities of XR and its potential for disruptive art experiences.We discuss:Disruption o
#1 Destinee Ross-Sutton & Michael Elmenbeck
In today’s episode:Michel Elmenbeck, joins as co-host. He is the founder of CFHILL Art Space and Bon Magazine, a renowned art advisor, collector and trend expert.OVRs (online viewing rooms); all major auction houses, art trade fairs and blue chip galleries seem to take away the option to view art online. What are the implications?NFTs and artist estates; what role will digitalisation of art and as
