In this episode, Ben Edge talks about his paintings that document the extraordinary ancient customs and rituals that abound in Britain, how he was inspired by eccentric family members, how a trip to the Tower of London first fired his passion for folklore, some of the interesting characters he has come across, what old folk traditions provide for communities and how they act as a mirror to our history and connect us to our past.
Ben Edge talking with Bob Chaundy
Accompanying images on consideringart.com
The Animal Handler, 2009
Dress for the Party, 2019, portrait of Steve Edge
The Burryman, 2018
The Dorset Ooser, 2022
The Flaming Barrels of Ottery St Mary, 2020
In My Nature (Self-portrait as the Green Man), 2021
All images are © Ben Edge
Intro and outro music: Ibiza by MBB | https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial
Music clips: Lowry at the Door by Ben Edge and the Electric Pencils, and New Tradition by Ben Edge
Folklore Rising, published by Watkins Books is due out on 8 October 2024
Considering Art 
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