Gemma Cairney

Welcome to Episode Eight of PATTERN PORTRAITS!

Lauren Godfrey chats with broadcaster and presenter Gemma Cairney about the eroticism of everyday life, pattern as code and living instinctively.

Gemma is best known for her work with BBC radio, and a myriad of TV appearances from hosting Glastonbury for the BBC to presenting the public art competition show, Landmark for Sky Arts. Gemma is a published author with another book coming out imminently called The Immortal Sisterhood. Gemma is deeply and passionately involved in the art world, she is on the board of Jupiter Art Land Foundation and the Edinburgh Art Festival helping steer the ship of exciting art in Scotland and beyond.

Gemma has a truly joyful approach to dressing, always appearing in fabulously playful patterns and colours, often sourced from independent designers and sustainable brands. I’ve long admired her buoyant presence on my screen and in my ears so it’s my absolute pleasure to chat pattern, colour and life with her!

Gemma has chosen patterns on garments including a dress from a roadside stall in Ghana, a handmade cotton scarf from Ethiopia, a vintage 1980’s dress, a selection of crochet items - a bikini from Jamaica and a top and pouch made by Katie Jones, and a sarong bought from the New York City Opera thrift shop. You can see all these patterns and more on instagram @patternportraitspodcast

The PATTERN PORTRAIT print artwork to accompany Gemma’s interview and featuring the patterns we discuss is available to buy now at www.laurengodfrey.co.uk

There will be an exhibition of the artworks soon to be announced!

This is the final episode of Season One but Season Two will be coming soon, follow @patternportraitspodcast to stay in the loop!

Other things we discuss:

Gemma’s first book - Open, A Toolkit for How Magic and Messed Up Life Can Be

The Sound Odyssey for Radio 4

Some of the 12 women that feature in Gemma’s forthcoming book The Immortal Sisterhood - Pharaoh Hatshepsut, Betty Davis, Pamela Coleman Smith, Audre Lorde and Grace Jones.

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