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Last broadcast on Tue, 15 Dec 2009, 02:00 on BBC One (Scotland only) (see all broadcasts).
Next on:
Thursday, 13:00 on BBC HD
Synopsis
Sue Perkins charts the changes in British taste towards domestic art by delving into the stories of contemporary bestsellers, charting the history of post-war prints and aiming to see first hand what the average British person displays above their mantelpiece. Half of British living rooms have art on their wall bought from high street stores, and many of the British artists who created them are among the country's most successful - but we've never heard of them.
Sue also tracks down the creators of recent history's most popular prints to discover their opinions on the images that changed their lives. Some of these iconic images are reproductions of famous artists, and some are unknowns, but who are these artists, and why are they so popular?
She discusses Tretchikoff, the artist behind the bestselling prints of the 50s and 60s such as the Green Lady, with Red or Dead founder Wayne Hemmingway, and meets Scottish miner-turned-painter Jack Vettriano, the artist who created the popular Singing Butler. Sue tracks down Ullswater snapper Mel Allen and chats to Spencer Rowell, the photographer behind Athena's Man and Baby, before heading to Cornwall to get to the bottom of the two million selling Tennis Girl by meeting its flamboyant creator Martin Elliot. Finally, Sue meets Sam Toft, creator of Mr Mustard, the quirky figure featured in a series of bestselling prints.
Sue also meets Terence Conran to find out about the revolution in interior design that took place after the Second World War, including the introduction of Habitat onto the high street, which made good design accessible to the whole community, and how that in turn has influenced the post-war taste of Great Britain.
Photo: Sue Perkins
Presenter Sue Perkins on Brighton beach during her investigation into the artistic tastes of the British public.
Modern Beauty
This programme was part of Modern Beauty - a BBC Two and Four season which examined the perception of beauty both in modern and classical art forms.
Credits
- Presenter
- Sue Perkins
- Producer
- Christopher Walker
- Producer
- Emma Morgan
Broadcasts
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Mon 16 Nov 200921:00
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Mon 16 Nov 200921:30
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Wed 18 Nov 200922:00
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Tue 15 Dec 200901:30
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Tue 15 Dec 200902:00
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Thu 31 Dec 200913:00
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