Hi. I'm Sarah, and I want to tell you about Materially Speaking, the podcast where artists tell their stories through the materials they choose. We start by hearing from artists who work in a small town called Pietro Santa in Northern Italy. Here, generations of sculptors have been coming, since Michelangelo did 500 years ago, to work with the skilled artisans and local marble. Later, we will also be meeting people working in wood, bronze, and all manner of other materials.
Sarah Monk:My father was a craftsman. He carved Renaissance musical instruments out of wood, and I've always had the greatest regard for craft skills. So when I saw how the artisan population here is aging, and the new technologies are taking over, I wondered what we stand to lose if these skills are lost forever. I set out to capture the stories of the artists and artisans here before it's too late. They tell of their literal and artistic journeys, their inspirations, and how their commissions reflect today's world.
Sarah Monk:You'll also hear a bigger story of how a small community, dependent on one natural resource, adapts to constant change. Subscribe to Materially Speaking on your favorite podcast player, and find photos of all the works discussed on Instagram or our website, materially speaking.com. There, you can also sign up to our newsletter, and be the first to hear about new episodes.