Catch up TV
The Art of World War II: A Culture Show Special
To mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the Culture Show presents a special on the art of World War II. Despite being locked into a life-or-death struggle, wartime Britain saw an extraordinary explosion of art. From portraits to posters, cartoons to huge canvases, art was suddenly everywhere. Among the works were some of the most intense and immediate creations of the 20th century.\n\nPresenter Alastair Sooke explores the often overlooked history of Britain's wartime renaissance. He meets the Blitz survivors, factory workers and Land Girls who became the subject of iconic paintings and talks to contemporary war artists about the challenges of creating art in conflict zones. Travelling from the shipyards of the Clyde to the concentration camps of northern Germany Alastair discovers how art bore witness, rising above propaganda to create an enduring, deeply humane record of the 'People's War' and laying the groundwork for our own understanding of what art should be and do.
Source: BBC 2
Most recent episodes of The Culture Show
The Culture Show
2011/2012: 21. David Hockney: The Art Of Seeing - A Culture Show Special
Andrew Marr interviews David Hockney, widely considered to be Britain's best-loved living artist, about his exhibition A Bigger Picture at the Royal Academy, made up of works de ...
02-10-2023
BBC 2
The Culture Show
Hanif Kureishi: Writers Are Trouble - A Culture Show Special
Whenever Hanif Kureishi writes a new film or book, something is broken - a taboo, a confidence or new ground. The Buddha of Suburbia and My Beautiful Laundrette author, who firs ...
24-08-2022
BBC 2
The Culture Show
Spielberg At 60
A special edition of The Culture Show that looks at the life and career of Stephen Spielberg, one of the most famous and commercially successful film directors in the world. Mar ...
20-08-2022
BBC 2
The Culture Show
2012/2013: 32. Sincerely, F Scott Fitzgerald
Novelist Jay McInerney explores the life and writing of F Scott Fitzgerald, whose masterwork The Great Gatsby has just been filmed for the fifth time. \n\nFitzgerald captured th ...
03-05-2022
BBC 2
The Culture Show
The Art Of World War Ii: A Culture Show Special
To mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the Culture Show presents a special on the art of World War II. Despite being locked into a life-or-death struggle, wartim ...
18-11-2021
BBC 2
The Culture Show
2013/2014: 6. The Culture Show At Edinburgh: Funny Women
Sue Perkins explores the highs and lows of being a woman in the unashamedly macho world of stand-up comedy. With unique behind-the-scenes access to the most important date in th ...
14-09-2021
BBC 2
The Culture Show
2011/2012: 17. Sir Terence Conran On Culture
In tribute to the late British designer Sir Terence Conran, a repeat of a programme first shown in 2011.\n\nAlan Yentob talks to his hero Sir Terence Conran, perhaps one of Brit ...
05-10-2020
BBC 2
The Culture Show
2013/2014: 18. Wars Of The Heart
For those who remained in London during the Second World War, the Blitz was a terrifying time of sleeplessness, fear and loss, but some of London's literary set found inspiratio ...
06-08-2019
BBC 2
The Culture Show
The Battle For Stonehenge: A Culture Show Special
Alastair Sooke looks at the controversy over the site surrounding Stonehenge, as English Heritage attempts to create a setting that this unique monument deserves.
20-06-2019
BBC 2
Most popular episodes of The Culture Show
The Culture Show
2013/2014 - Savion Glover - Happy Feet
Morgan Quaintance visits African-American dance artist Savion Glover in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey, to discover more about the renowned tap dancer's life, work and art.
11-06-2014
BBC 2
The Culture Show
2014/2015 - Ryan Gander - The Art Of Everything
Miranda Sawyer enters the wild imagination of celebrated British conceptual artist Ryan Gander, a cultural magpie renowned for his playful, cryptic and complex creations.
04-07-2014
BBC 2
The Culture Show
The Lost Portrait Of Bonnie Prince Charlie: A Culture Show Special
In 2009, art detective Dr Bendor Grosvenor caused a national scandal by proving that the Scottish National Portrait Gallery's iconic portrait of Bonnie Prince Charlie, the rebel ...
30-01-2018
BBC 2
The Culture Show
2013/2014 - Henri Matisse - A Cut Above The Rest
Alastair Sooke presents a moving and intimate portrait of Henri Matisse, one of the 20th century's most celebrated artists, who famously moved from paint to collage late in life.
23-05-2018
BBC 2
The Culture Show
2014/2015 - Tents - The Beginning Of Architecture
Tom Dyckhoff looks at the history of the tent and asks if it could be the answer to an overcrowded world faced with a housing crisis and dwindling natural resources.
23-06-2014
BBC 2
The Culture Show
2014/2015 - Edward St Aubyn - At Last?
Documentary featuring writer Edward St Aubyn as he releases his new book, which sees him ditch his anguished alter ego Patrick Melrose and face the demons of the literary world.
23-06-2014
BBC 2
The Culture Show
The Battle For Stonehenge: A Culture Show Special
Alastair Sooke looks at the controversy over the site surrounding Stonehenge, as English Heritage attempts to create a setting that this unique monument deserves.
20-06-2019
BBC 2
The Culture Show
2012/2013: 32. Sincerely, F Scott Fitzgerald
Novelist Jay McInerney explores the life and writing of F Scott Fitzgerald, whose masterwork The Great Gatsby has just been filmed for the fifth time. \n\nFitzgerald captured th ...
03-05-2022
BBC 2
The Culture Show
Pop Go The Women: The Other Story Of Pop Art - A Culture Show Special
Featuring the best arts and culture stories of the week. Alastair Sooke tracks down the female artists who have been left out of the established narrative of pop art.
18-06-2018
BBC 2