Interludes: Mandala

Mandala features the sounds of the artist Nnena Kalu creating an untitled work and the voice of ActionSpace Associate Artist, Charlotte Hollinshead.


Nnena Kalu has created a vast body of sculptural and 2D artworks and developed a live, performative element to her practice. She is driven by an instinctive urge to build repeated marks and forms, creating intensely layered, visually impactful artworks with dense colours and compacted, flowing lines. Nnena has developed her artistic practice at the ActionSpace studio in Studio Voltaire since 1999.

ActionSpace is London’s leading development agency for learning disabled artists. All of their work is focused towards enabling learning disabled artists to have a professional career in the arts. 

View Nnena's work here whilst listening to Axel's sonic response throughout this episode.


Interludes is a collaboration between Shade Podcast and Axel Kacoutié featuring six contemporary artists: Amy Sherald, Ming Smith, Phoebe Boswell, Rahima Gambo, Nnena Kalu and Cassi Namoda.

Framed by the question "What does healing sound like?", these podcasts offer a visceral connection with the artists' work. In each episode we weave the artists' reflections through Axel's original soundscapes, as a collaborative exploration of their creative experience.

The aim is to soften our tendency to intellectualise artwork, and instead create a sonic texture that is more intimate in its connection with the artist.


Concept & Production by Lou Mensah

Created by Axel Kacoutié

Interludes is supported by Hauser & Wirth

Read more about this series in Hauser & Wirth Ursula Magazine


Additional support by Frieze Membership, the community that champions art. Frieze members enjoy articles from the leading voices shaping today’s art world, priority booking to Frieze fairs and unique perks along the way. Find out more on frieze.com/membership

Help support the work that goes into creating Shade Podcast. https://plus.acast.com/s/shadepodcast.




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