This episode of The Art Newspaper's podcast 'The Week in Art' covers three distinct exhibitions. Host Ben Luke discusses the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster with organizer Olha Kovalevska, whose exhibition at Nikolaikirche in Potsdam runs until 27 April. He also explores a new show at Munch in Oslo, 'Paula Rego: Dance Among Thorns', with curator Kari J. Brandtzæg, focusing on Rego's engagement with Edvard Munch. Finally, the episode features 'Convolvulus' (1940) by Gluck as the Work of the Week, part of the group exhibition 'Handpicked: Painting Flowers from 1900 to Today' at Kettle's Yard in Cambridge, discussed with co-curator Naomi Polonsky.
The episode matters because it connects a major historical tragedy—Chernobyl—to contemporary art, highlighting how exhibitions can keep urgent social and environmental issues in public memory. It also sheds light on underrecognized artistic dialogues, such as Paula Rego's fascination with Munch, and celebrates a lesser-known but significant British painter, Gluck, within the broader context of floral still-life painting. The podcast format makes these diverse art-world stories accessible to a wide audience, bridging niche exhibitions and broader cultural conversations.