ALEXANDER IKHIDE
Alexander is a multidisciplinary visual artist working in photography, collage (analogue/digital), painting and drawing, exploring ideas of the body as well as a merging of photography and painting to produce mixed media abstract works on paper. Through a method of gestural abstraction and mark making, taking on influence from an abstract expressionist painting tradition alongside ideas and themes from the surrealist movement, that have origins and roots in pre-colonial African spiritual practices and rituals, he utilises disparate source material through found images (both offline and online) as collage as well as incorporating African symbols and ideograms that are present in sculptural works, textiles, architecture, woodwork and carvings that carry spiritual, cultural and ritualistic meanings.
A coming together of these influences to formulate a hybridised aesthetic begins to materialise in his works, transforming the ways in which African centred aesthetic traditions that have been relegated to 'primitivism' can be utilised in contemporary discourse and located within the canon of modern art. For him, the personal, cultural and political are intertwined, as a means to process through and understand the layered dimensions of simultaneously being a person of both African and queer identity.
www.www.alexanderikhide.com
www.hype-a.com
Images courtesy of the artist @alexander_ikhide
DANNY KIRRANE
After finishing a Physics degree from The university of Leeds in 2006, Danny trained at the National Youth Theatre. He made his first TV appearance in 2007 in Skins (E4), and on stage in the role of ‘Davey’ in Jez Butterworth’s highly praised Jerusalem at the Royal Court theatre in London, which went on to have both West End and Broadway runs.
Other theatre credits include Manhunt (Royal Court); People, Places and Things (West End); The History Boys (West End & International Tour); The Hunt (Almeida & St Ann’s Warehouse); Henry V (Donmar Warehouse); Gentlemen (Arcola); Vassa (Almeida); We’re Staying Right Here (Park Theatre); As You Like It (Regent’s Park Open Air); A Little Hotel on the Side (Theatre Royal Bath); Three Sisters (Young Vic); Boys, Romeo & Juliet (Headlong); Tarantula in Petrol Blue (Aldeburgh Music); Antigone at Hell’s Mouth (Knee High).
Other television credits include Maigret (PBS); Baby Reindeer (Netflix); Boat Story (Two Brothers); The Serpent Queen (Starz); Sandman (Netflix); Safe Space (Sky); Don’t Forget the Driver (BBC); Britannia (Sky
Atlantic); Poldark (BBC); Game of Thrones (HBO); Wasted (E4); Doctor Thorne (ITV); New Blood (BBC); Critical (Sky); Trollied (Sky); Utopia (Channel 4); I Shouldn’t Be Alive: Ocean Disaster (Darlow Smithson); Hustle (BBC); The Inbetweeners (Channel 4); Young, Unemployed and Lazy (BBC); Trinity (ITV); The Site (BBC).
Film credits include Ravers (Iron Box/The Works); Peterloo (Film 4); Game Over (Game Over Film); Pirates of the Caribbean (Walt Disney Studios); The Hatching (Sabre Films); Walking on Sunshine (Vertigo
Films); Automata (Millennium Films).
Images courtesy of the artist @dannykirrane
HARRY RÜDHAM
Rüdham (b. 1996) is a multi-award-winning artist, graduated with a first in BA Fine Art from Central Saint Martins in 2019 and a Master’s from City and Guilds London College of Art in 2024. A key part of Rüdhams’ university experience came in Berlin, during a year abroad studying at the Universität der Künste.
Rüdham’s work features countless cut-out minuscule silhouettes, dotted across the surface, varying in density, position and colour. At first, they look like birds, flocking together in flight patterns atop varying coloured skies. At closer inspection, it becomes clear they are all people, cut painstakingly with a scalpel and then layered onto the surface. This gives the art a multi-layered quality, that simply painting the silhouettes could not achieve. - Archie Brydon
Rüdham’s work has featured in numerous group exhibitions, museums and solo shows Globally, The Water Drinkers three person exhibition, London (2019) A Charity auction to benefit The National Academy of Arts of Ukraine held at the Royal Academy London(2023) The Essence of Stardust duo show in Mallorca (2025) and a current solo show Entangled in Taiwan(2025). In 2022 Rüdham was the subject of his first Solo show garnered large public and media interest, featuring the artist on TalkTv, BBC radio Surrey and multiple publications.
Shout out to ASC studios, Koppel Project, City and Guilds and Chelsea College of Arts, London.
Images courtesy of the artist @harryrudham
FIONA ROBERTS
Fiona G. Roberts lives and works in London. She has an MA, Painting, from Wimbledon College of Arts, University of the Arts London, where she was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship. She has also completed two years at the Turps Banana Painting School (2019-2021) on the offsite painting programme. She has had work shortlisted for the Jerwood Drawing Prize; Ingram Collection’s Contemporary Talent Prize; Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize, 2018 and 2019 and Dentons Art Prize, where she was runner-up and also won the Staff Prize. She was also shortlisted for the Ruth Borchard Self Portrait Prize 2021 and the 2021 Figurative Art Now Exhibition, where she was awarded a Mentorship Prize. Her work has been exhibited in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 2021, 2023 and 2025. She also has degrees from the LSE and Goldsmiths, University of London.
Roberts’ work is found in several national and international collections including The David Roberts Arts Foundation.
Roberts is currently showing at @vivienne.roberts.projects
Special mentions: Vivienne Roberts Projects, @turpsbanana, @londonschoolofeconomics , @goldsmithsuol
@fionaGRoberts
@hypeavoices Cristallina_fischetti @bookclubxx1ivvii
Images courtesy of @fionaroberts
RICHARD KITSON
(b. 1996) is a multi-award-winning artist, graduated with a first in BA Fine Art from Central Saint Martins in 2019 and a Master’s from City and Guilds London College of Art in 2024. A key part of Rüdhams’ university experience came in Berlin, during a year abroad studying at the Universität der Künste.
Rüdham’s work features countless cut-out minuscule silhouettes, dotted across the surface, varying in density, position and colour. At first, they look like birds, flocking together in flight patterns atop varying coloured skies. At closer inspection, it becomes clear they are all people, cut painstakingly with a scalpel and then layered onto the surface. This gives the art a multi-layered quality, that simply painting the silhouettes could not achieve. - Archie Brydon
Richard Kitson is a figurative and portrait artist based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. His work has been featured in prestigious exhibitions, including the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery, London, the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, the Ruth Borchard Self-Portrait Prize, Figurative Art Now, and the Cork Street Open. Kitson has exhibited across the UK and internationally and was a participant in Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2018. His paintings are held in a variety of public and private collections, and he continues to offer portrait commissions and workshops in Barnsley and Yorkshire.
Images courtesy of @richardkitsonart
AUTUMN REESER
Autumn Reeser Autumn is an actor from California, appears on stage and screen. You may know her from the OC, Entourage and The Hallmark Channel. She is also embodying her spiritual path by providing mentorships through her Earth School worldwide.
Those who know, Autumn needs no introduction. Watch/listen to this cosy episode now.
www.autumnreeser.com
@autumn_reeser
Image courtesy of @alyssakeysphoto
ROBERT WARD
Professor Robert Ward F.RSA. FRBS. Ward is a master artist born in 1949. He is best known for his sculptures across the globe. Ward makes monumental work in stainless steel, bronze and occasionally stone. Hailing from Nottingham and Yorkshire, England, naturalised in Australia and now lives in-between Spain and England. Ward’s abstract sculptures are in private and public collections worldwide. Private collections range from: U.S.A, Italy, U.K, China, Australia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Japan... They include: Newcastle Regional Gallery, Bretton Hall, UK, Arriva – UK, Guilin Yuzi Paradise – China, Gesipa, Germany, NSW Australia, Ferens Art Gallery, Kingston-upon-Hull, Henry Moore Centre for Study of Sculpture, Leeds City Art Gallery, City of Icheon, South Korea, Swire Properties. Chengdu. China, Ilya Corporation Tokyo Japan, Heidelberg Sculpture Park Germany, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds UK and Wolfson College University of Oxford.
Ward has been the recipient of multiple awards such as: British Council Grant (1989 & 1995), Centre for Canadian Studies (1999) and the Northern Arts award (1976). He has numerous publications from: Thinking Big (2002)
21st Century British Sculpture Guggenheim Museum, Venice Text by Tim Marlow and Rob Mengham, British Library Artists Lives Life Story recording (2010-2012). Recorded at the Henry Moore Institute Leeds with Kirsty Gregory, Alchemy in Contemp[orary Art (2011) Ursula Szulakowska, Ashgate publications to Secrecy and Methods in Security Research (2019) Esme Bosma Marieke de Goede. Polly Pallister Wilkins, Routledge Publications.
He is an elected fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Trustee of Royal Society of British Sculpture, Key Note Lecturer of the University of Chicago, USA and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, ENG.
He was a tutor at the University of Reading (1973-74), Chelsea School of Art, University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (1974-77), NSW. Australia Programme Co-ordinator (1977-82), Senior Head of Sculpture, Bretton Hall University of Leeds (1994-2001), Head of Centre of Sculpture, University of Leeds (2001-2010) and Professor of Sculpture (2010-2014) University of Huddersfield. He has been a visiting lecturer at the University of Tuubingen, Germany Newcastle Polytechnic, Falmouth School of Art, Royal College of Art, England, Sydney College of Arts, Australia and Florida Atlantic University, USA.
Ward is an esteemed guest for HYPE A, friend and mentor of your host, Cristallina Fischetti. Make sure to Turn On, Tune In. -Not to be missed.
www.robwardsculpture.com
Image courtesy of Cato Gallery and Robert Ward
JARALIN DETIENNE
Jaralin Detienne is a multidisciplinary creative whose career spans performance, film, and fashion. Trained in vocal performance and musical theatre, She began her professional journey touring internationally as a Top-40 vocalist. After a life-altering car accident in 2013 that redirected her path, Jaralin rebuilt her artistic identity through acting and film—ultimately discovering a transformative passion for costume design.
Now an accomplished costume designer with more than 60 film credits, Jaralin has become known for her signature approach that blends storytelling, character psychology, and visual harmony. Her work extends beyond the screen, having styled hundreds of celebrities and talent across film, television, and live performance.
Today, Jaralin’s brand centers on ethical, conscious styling. She advocates for fashion that empowers rather than consumes—prioritising sustainability, intentionality, and a deep respect for personal expression. Whether designing for film or curating an everyday wardrobe, Jaralin creates style experiences that are meaningful, responsible, and uniquely human.
Jaralin Detienne is known for I Am (2017), The Wedding Cottage (2023) and The Wedding Veil (2022) .
@jaralin @hypeavoices @cristallina_fischetti Special Mentions Hallmark Channel, IMDB , @autumnreeser and @alexandraleighdesign
www.hype-a.com
Image courtesy of Jaralin Detienne
SOL GOLDEN SATO
Sol Golden Sato was born in Malawi under a peaceful yet authoritarian regime, an environment that sparked his lifelong interest in how societies and power structures shape individual experience. Growing up in southern Africa during the 1980s and 90s, he witnessed seismic political changes and mass migrations. At 16, following his father’s death, Sol fled to South Africa and lived as a homeless teenager in Soweto during the final days of apartheid. At 20, he arrived in Brixton, London, where he washed cars and worked low-skilled jobs before drifting into dead-end advertising sales.
Sol’s formal education ended at 15 when he left Matandani Secondary School in Malawi. His intellectual journey since has been self-directed, rooted in voracious reading and online learning, with a focus on literature, classical thought, and computer science. Today, Sol lives and works in London as a socially engaged artist whose practice spans painting, installation, and participatory projects.
His work has been exhibited at Somerset House (2024), across Scotland (2023), and internationally in Greece (2021). He has reached national audiences through appearances on BBC One’s Sunday Morning Live, ITV News London, and ITV News Scotland, and his Hawick Happy Feet project was featured in The Telegraph. Sol continues to collaborate with the BBC on a national art initiative for Children in Need. His projects amplify his belief that creativity is not a luxury—it is a lifeline.Artist Statement
Sol Sato’s practice is rooted in people—their stories, struggles, and resilience. His work spans large-scale paintings, installations, and participatory projects that transform art into shared civic rituals.
@solgoldensato @hypeavoices @cristallina_fischetti
www.hype-a.com
Image courtesy of Sol Golden Sato
TONY SWABY
Tony Swaby challenges the idea of dystopia and utopia, revealing how they are both tools of control, he shares his life changing experience, The Joy Principle and more in episode 10. Not to be missed. Turn on, tune in.
He is is a portrait artist whose work is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: drawing should oe a source of joy. For Tony, portraiture is an act of connection — a way to witness the small, numan truths that appear in a glance, a gesture, or a fleeting expression. His approach blends emotional sensitivity with simplified observation, allowing him to create portraits that feel alive while keeping the process playful, accessible, and deeply rewarding.
Over a five-year period, Tony created nearly 4,000 portraits, a remarkable achievement that eflects not speed for its own sake, but the pure enjoyment he finds in drawing every single Jay. This body of work stands as a testament to the power of consistent practice when it is guided by genuine enthusiasm and curiosity.
www.thejoyprinciple.net
@thejoyofportraiture @hypeavoices @cristallina_fischetti
www.hype-a.com
Image courtesy of Tony Swaby
ERIK NIEMINEN
Erik Nieminen is Finnish-Canadian artist born in 1985. He holds a BFA from the University of Ottawa and an MFA from Concordia University in Montreal. He has exhibited in Europe and North America, including recent solo shows in London (Albemarle Gallery), Montreal (McClure Gallery), Berlin (Galerie Kremers), and New York City (PLATO). Present in private and corporate collections, he is the recipient of numerous awards, including three Elizabeth Greenshields Grants, the Canada Council for the Arts, The Ontario Council for the Arts, The Quebec Council for the Arts, and was the Grand Prize Winner for the final edition of the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series. He lives and works in Montreal Quebec.
Erik describes his works as presenting ‘an independent reality, liminal, unreal world dependent on our world yet separate from it’. He seeks ‘to dismantle the reality we inhabit in order to remake it according to the logic inherent in the painting process.’
He’s been on the show before in an earlier season which you can find on your website HYPE-a.com or Spotify, Amazon, iHeart Radio, Apple Music and more.
@eriknart @hypeavoices @cristallina_fischetti www.cristallinafischetti.com
www.hype-a.com
Image courtesy of Erik Nieminen