Main content

Geoffrey Rush; artist Ellen Gallagher; Cultural Exchange - Melvyn Bragg

Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush on his new film The Eye of the Storm; Melvyn Bragg discusses a Rembrandt self-portrait for the Cultural Exchange; artist Ellen Gallagher.

With Mark Lawson.

Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush stars alongside Charlotte Rampling and Judy Davis in The Eye of the Storm, a film based on Patrick White's novel about sharp family tensions, as a middle-aged brother and sister return to the home of their dying mother. Geoffrey Rush talks about his career on stage and in films such as Shine, Pirates of the Caribbean and The King's Speech.

In the latest edition of the Cultural Exchange project, in which 75 leading creative minds share their passion for a book, film, poem, piece of music or other work of art, Melvyn Bragg shares his long-standing love of a Rembrandt self-portrait from 1658.

The artist Ellen Gallagher discusses her new exhibition, AxME, which opens this week at the Tate Modern. Gallagher's work includes painting, collage and film installations, and she often uses newspaper cuttings and advertisements from vintage magazines to explore race and identity. She discusses how she moved from being an aspiring writer to working as an artist via jobs as a baker and a carpenter, and the challenges of creating work using plasticine.

In 1963 John Profumo, the then war minister, resigned over his affair with Christine Keeler. The scandal damaged the government and led to the suicide of Stephen Ward - the man who'd introduced Keeler to Profumo. Whilst preparing a display to mark the 50th anniversary of the Profumo Affair, the National Portrait Gallery made an incredible discovery: on the reverse of Stephen Ward's pastel drawing of Christine there's a similar drawing of an unknown young woman. Richard Davenport-Hines, author of a book about the scandal, talks to Mark about the enduring appeal of the Profumo affair, and speculates on the identity of the woman.

Producer Nicki Paxman.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Geoffrey Rush

    Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush talks about his career on stage and on screen

    Duration: 09:46

  • The Profumo Affair

    In light of a new discovery, Richard Davenport-Hines discusses the Profumo affair's legacy

    Duration: 04:32

  • Ellen Gallagher

    Artist Ellen Gallagher discusses her new exhibition, AxME

    Duration: 06:30

  • Cultural Exchange - Melvyn Bragg

    Melvyn Bragg shares his long-standing love of a Rembrandt self-portrait from 1658

    Duration: 06:53

Ellen Gallagher

Ellen Gallagher's exhibition, AxME, is on at the in London until 1st September.

The Eye of the Storm

The Eye of the Storm is in cinemas from Friday 3rd May, certificate 15.

The Profumo Affair

The Profumo Affair

Left: Christine Keeler. Right:听sketch of unknown woman, discovered on the reverse of Christine Keeler's portrait. Both by Stephen Ward, pastel, c.1961. National Portrait Gallery, London.

is on at the National Portrait Gallery until 15th September.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Mark Lawson
Interviewed Guest Geoffrey Rush
Interviewed Guest Ellen Gallagher
Interviewed Guest Melvyn Bragg
Interviewed Guest Richard Davenport-Hines
Producer Nicki Paxman
Editor John Goudie

Broadcast

  • Wed 1 May 2013 19:15

Featured in...

91热爆 Arts Digital

The best of British culture live and on demand.

Inspire

Inspire

A season discovering where artists find inspiration and helping listeners get creative.

Podcast