Profile, Issue 655

Q&A: Katy Brand

A former theology student at Oxford, Katy Brand is now a queen of the comedy world, having scooped a captive audience through her ITV2 Big Ass Show. Here, she remembers watching My Girl and squeaking at Jay-Z...

Profile: Martin Compston

Name Martin Compston Born 8 May 1984, Greenock, Scotland Background The son of a welder father and office manager mother, aged 16, Compston signed as a professional footballer with his home town club Morton FC. Whilst still at school however, he had…

Affordable Art: Getting Started - Susanna Beaumont

Buying and owning art can bring both pleasure and profit, and you don’t need stacks of cash to get started. We begin our guide with some tips from a prominent gallery owner...

Affordable Art: Getting Started - Hugo Brown

Buying and owning art can bring both pleasure and profit, and you don’t need stacks of cash to get started. We begin our guide with some tips from an established collector...

5 Things You Might Not Know About... Paul Merton

1.) Paul Martin (as he was named in July 1957) was inspired to get into live comedy after seeing Alexei Sayle perform in 1981. The tight-suited scouser’s ‘stream of tastelessness’ led Merton to take to the stage with his ‘policeman on acid’ sketch. He…

Affordable Art: Moyna Flannigan

For her dark and slightly disturbing painted caricatures, Flannigan – who was born in Scotland but received her MFA from Yale – has built something of a cult following. www.doggerfisher.com/artists

Affordable Art: Alice Myers

A Jerwood Photography Award winner in 2008, Myers – an Edinburgh College of Art graduate – produces photographic series which take in action portraiture and documentary urban landscapes. www.alicemyers.net

Affordable Art: Luke Fowler

Primarily known for his video works, which have won him the Derek Jarman Award and the Donald Dewar Prize, and have been broadcast on Channel 4. www.themoderninstitute.com/artists/9

Affordable Art: Craig Mulholland

Born and based in Glasgow, Mulholland uses a variety of media and his work takes many forms, incorporating video, music, sculpture, text, sound works and drawing. www.sorchadallas.com/artists/3

Affordable Art: Ellie Harrison

About to complete an MFA at Glasgow School of Art, Harrison produces art that encompasses high-concept installation, sculpture and printed work. www.ellieharrison.com

Affordable Art: Alex Frost

Frost’s drawings and ceramic reliefs are painstakingly composed, particularly the hand-pixellated effect of his continuing series of Blind Drawings. www.sorchadallas.com/artists/11

Affordable Art: Jonathan Owen

Found photographic collages, papier mache drainpipes and grand metal sculptures are all part of the Liverpudlian Owen’s diverse output. www.doggerfisher.com/artists

Affordable Art: Paul Chiappe

A Kirkcaldy-born graduate of Edinburgh College of Art, Chiappe produces pencil-drawn reproductions of old black and white photographs. www.paulchiappe.co.uk

Profile: Nicolas Winding Refn

Born 1970 Copenhagen, Denmark Background After coming to prominence by re-sculpting his 1996 hit Pusher into an accomplished drug-trilogy, Danish writer/director Winding Refn’s controversial Bronson won him plaudits for coaxing a remarkable…

Interview: Mark Cousins - The First Movie

Documentary on experiment introducing the children of Iraq to cinema

Mark Cousins most recent adventure took him to Kurdistan on a mission to spread his love of cinema. Miles Fielder catches up with him Belfast-born, Edinburgh-resident Mark Cousins has been involved with cinema in many ways. He’s hosted the BBC’s cult…

Profile: Ian Hart

Name Ian Hart Born Liverpool, 1964 Background Ian Hart’s role as Professor Quirninus Quirrell in the ongoing Harry Potter saga is only a footnote in a role-call of strong supporting performances. Hart started out with a Play for Today…