HENI Talks has announced the launch of Stories of Art, a new weekly podcast bringing together art historian Dr James Fox and art critic Alastair Sooke for the first time as co-hosts. Once considered rivals during their time at the BBC, the pair now join forces to unpack some of art history’s most fascinating figures, works and stories.
Positioned as an accessible and engaging guide to the history of art, Stories of Art will move from Ancient Egypt to the Young British Artists, combining expert insight with narrative-driven storytelling. The podcast aims to appeal equally to established art audiences and listeners simply drawn to compelling historical tales.
The new series will delve into the lives and legacies of artists ranging from Francis Bacon and Jean-Michel Basquiat to Artemisia Gentileschi, Alberto Giacometti, Frida Kahlo and Michelangelo.
Alongside artist-focused episodes, Stories of Art will also feature deep dives into iconic works and historical objects, including The Scream and the Bust of Nefertiti, alongside mini-series and discussions surrounding major exhibitions and cultural moments.
Arriving at a moment when history podcasts continue to grow in popularity, Stories of Art seeks to bring art history into a format that combines scholarship with conversation. Rather than approaching the subject as a chronology of movements and dates, the series positions art history as a collection of extraordinary human stories.
Whether listeners are long-time followers of art or simply curious about the narratives behind some of the world’s most celebrated works, Stories of Art promises a broad journey through the people, ideas and moments that continue to shape visual culture today.
LISTEN: heni.com/talks/podcasts/stories-of-art
About
Dr James Fox is a Cambridge art historian, best-selling author and multi-award-winning broadcaster. He is Director of Studies in History of Art at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and Creative Director of the Hugo Burge Foundation. His critically-acclaimed books on art and culture have been translated into fourteen languages. His most recent title and best-seller Craftland: A Journey Through Britain’s Lost Arts and Vanishing Trades (2025) has been named Waterstones Book of the Year, BBC’s book of the week and shortlisted for the Nero Book Prize. James is perhaps best known for his many arts documentaries for the BBC, including A History of Art in Three Colours, The Art of Japanese Life, The Age of the Image and Nature and Us: A History Through Art.
Alastair Sooke is an author and broadcaster, and chief art critic at The Telegraph, for which he has been covering art since 2003. He has presented more than 60 hours of television and radio for the BBC (Modern Masters, Treasures of Ancient Egypt, An Art Lovers’ Guide) and written several books, including studies of Henri Matisse and Georges Seurat, and a history of Pop Art. He is a trustee of the Ampersand Foundation and was educated at the University of Oxford and the Courtauld Institute of Art.
The team: With an award winning background in arts content and television broadcasting ex-BBC Commissioning Editor for Arts Emma Cahusac and Producer Director Ben Harding take their experience and expertise to produce the best art history content for podcast fans around the world.
HENI has been making free-to-access arts content for more than a decade. Dedicated to spreading awareness and appreciation of art history.
