Waldy and Bendy’s Adventures in Art
Waldy and Bendy’s Adventures in Art

Welcome to ‘Waldy and Bendy’s Adventures in Art’ – the podcast they couldn’t stop. I’m Waldy – otherwise known as Waldemar Januszczak, art critic of the Sunday Times – and with my co-host Bendor ‘Bendy’ Grosvenor, the celebrated art historian and TV presenter, we’re going to be looking at interesting things that are happening in art during the great lockdown.

After a much needed break, Waldy & Bendy are back with an episode recorded live at Gloucester History Festival, talking about their favourite English Civil War paintings. Thank you to Vicki Hopson and Sarah Smyth of Gloucester History Festival for providing the live recording. Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/BqucJweDbWk  See the show notes here: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-6-episode-4-live-at-gloucester-history-festival/
Waldy and Bendy talks about the horses in the Stubbs exhibition at the National Gallery, and delves into how art has portrayed the devil.   See the show notes here: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-6-episode-3-horses-and-devils/ Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/7XbHkYanMHM
Waldy and Bendy discuss the devastating destruction in Iran, Russia's participation in the Venice Biennale, and Leonardo's Salvator Mundi. Bendy also tells Waldy of his adventures at TEFAF, while Waldy celebrates a belated Mother's Day with an Alice Neel painting.   See the show notes here: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-6-episode-2/  Watch on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/BfqU8Ry9QGY
Waldy and Bendy have both been to Italy, but alas not together. They catch up on the newly reinstated Rembrandt, and laments the decline of art history being taught in school. Also, a celebration of International Women's Day with a Waldy vs Bendy on the most underrated woman artist. See the show notes here: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-6-episode-1-new-rembrandt-and-forgotten-women/ Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/unDUhZNNXXk
Waldy and Bendy dive into the beauty of Iranian art, and takes a look at some bad haircuts.   See the show notes here: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode-25-iranian-art-and-bad-haircuts/  Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/WgCtewQw4_A
Inspired by the fate of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Waldy and Bendy look at artworks of people in power who fell from grace. Also the Tracey Emin exhibition at Tate Modern.   See the show notes: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode-24-fallen-royals/  Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/M3pNlr0Z11A
Waldy and Bendy are reunited once again! Bendy catches Waldy up on news from the art world, and they try to find the best apocalyptic horse in art.   See show notes here: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode…ear-of-the-horse/ Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/xMfiC2YO7Lw
Bendy has a chat with Susan Owens about her new book Constable's Year.   See the show notes here: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode…with-susan-owens/ Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/WuwHC7oHH9E
In another solo adventure, Bendy dives deep into the wonderful world of JMW Turner.   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CxMJD9ZFC64  See the show notes: https://zczfilms.com/uncategorised/season-5-episode-2-2/
While Waldy is still away and busy, Bendy enjoys a deep dive into The Wilton Diptych.   See the show notes: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode…medieval-mystery/ Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/ofcC5qLJHaI
While Waldy is busy, Bendor has a chat with Simon Gillespie.   See the show notes here: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode-19-the-secrets-of-art-restoration-with-simon-gillespie/  Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/dbB8cxWx6BQ
Bendy treats Waldy to a proper deep dive into Holbein's masterpiece The Ambassadors.   See the show notes: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/season-5-episode-18-the-ambassadors/  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6F9_z_HvdXQ
Waldy chats to Damien Hirst about his grotto design, precious stones, and the value of art.   Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/a0qvZtlBU3M  See the Show Notes here: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode-17-interview-with-damien-hirst/
Waldy and Bendy starts the year off right by looking ahead at some of the fabulous shows that are coming up in 2026.   Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/OmmOxlxx7BU See the Show Notes here: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode-16-new-years-lookahead/
To round off the Christmas season, Waldy and Bendy settle down with questions from listeners.   Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/TVx-Hs9nzpQ See the Show Notes here: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode…special-question/
Waldy and Bendy get into the festive spirit and dives into the history of Santa Claus. They also each gets to choose a painting for their wall; Waldy goes for a former Abstract Expressionist while Bendy continues the festivities with a nativity.   Watch on YouTube here - https://youtu.be/sO07i0dT150  See the show notes here - https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode-14-how-art-invented-santa-claus/
Waldy and Bendy look at the recent museum strikes, and celebrate the dodgy anniversary of Indian artist Amrita Sher-Gil. They take a delightful tour through some of their favourite gothic cathedrals.   See the show notes here - https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode-13/ Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/h0qWooNJjD8
Waldy turns to art to help Bendy face his fears. Bendy catches up on the old master sales, while Waldy has a chat with Xavier Bray about Caravaggio's Cupid. And is Turner or Constable the better artist?   Show notes: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode-12-cupid-meets-constable-and-turner/ Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/pf2D5ojb9Mo
Waldy and Bendy discuss the many record sales that have happened in the art world recently. Bendy has a chat with Elizabeth Goldring about her new Holbein book, while Waldy dives into the thrills of Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights.   See the show notes here: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode-11-auction-records-smashed-bosch-and-holbein/ Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/eqBLVvW1tQM
Waldy and Bendy discuss some places to visit in London if you're a tourist interested in art, and Waldy has a chat with famous ex-forger Shaun Greenhalgh about how he fooled the experts. Also, a new section where Waldy and Bendy teaches us how to identify saints in religious art, starting with Mary Magdalene. See the show notes: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode-10-saints-sinners-and-forgers/ Watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PIOsoZaI-wc
Waldy and Bendy lament the direction the BBC is heading when it comes to arts programs, and Bendy talks to Andrew Graham-Dixon about his new Vermeer book. The Waldy and Bendy Awards return, looking at the ugliest royal portraits.   Show Notes: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode-9/  Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k_wUZtHwVXg
Waldy speaks to Katy Hessel about her new book, and ponders with Bendy on how art can be good for you. Also in a rare treat, Waldy and Bendy gets to meet in person to visit the Joseph Wright of Derby show at The National Gallery. See the show notes here: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode-8/  Watch it on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/urbWO9jvEYk
Waldy and Bendy go head to head to find the most horrifying artwork for Halloween. They also discuss King Charles III praying with the Pope under Michelangelo's Last Judgement, and celebrate the dodgy anniversary of 1666.   Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/g_miLAM85uM  See the show notes: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode-7-doom-death-and-fires/
Waldy and Bendy talk about the Louvre robbery, Waldy's wander around Frieze and Bendy's wander around Rome. Bendy has a chat with Christina J. Faraday about her new book The Story of Tudor Art, while Waldy picks a Manet to hang on his wall.   See the show notes here - https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode-6-robberies-parties-and-nudes/ Watch it on YouTube here - https://youtu.be/Ge4FxF6yi-A
Waldy and Bendy go head to head to find the best unfinished artwork. Who will come out on top? They also discuss the graffiti exhibition in Canterbury Cathedral, and Bendy updates us on his attempt to get a National Gallery bench for his kitchen, and wants a piece from Westminster Abbey for his wall.   See the show notes here - https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode-5-is-graffiti-art/  Watch the podcast on Youtube here - https://youtu.be/YyBJaFiKrJA
Waldy and Bendy briefly revisit Swangate, and Bendy would like one of the old National Gallery benches now that they're coming up for sale. They also award the Waldy & Bendy award for the best forgotten artist. Waldy chooses a Picasso from the Tate to have on his wall. Show Notes - https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-05-episode-04-picasso-el-greco-and-some-benches/  Video version - https://youtu.be/5LOwLMQ1IEY
Waldy and Bendy takes a deep dive into the best depictions of swans in art, and looks at how Trump's goldification of the White House has an art historic precedent. Bendy chooses a painting by Sir Thomas Lawrence for On The Wall, and tries to convince Waldy of it's connection to Michelangelo. Watch the episode on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/Q33ktg9TuFo  See the show notes here: https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode-3-swans-brothels-and-trump/
Waldy and Bendy discuss the struggles of the art market, and revives the Waldy & Bendy awards with the 5 best drinking pictures in art. Waldemar chooses a sculpture of Christ for On The Wall, and Bendy shares his connection to Michelangelo. You can watch the episode on Youtube here - https://youtu.be/Gb2v8bEq8R0  See the show notes here - https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/season-5-episode-2/
Waldy & Bendy are back! And not only that, they're treating you to a double bill! One episode today, one tomorrow. In this episode, they discuss the expansion plans of the National Gallery, Waldy’s exciting new series, and Bendy shocks Waldy with his On The Wall choice. See the show notes here - https://zczfilms.com/podcasts/waldy-bendy/season-5-episode-1/ You can now also watch Waldy & Bendy on Youtube - https://youtu.be/Mg7rsCUrtUI
While Bendor is flying over the Swiss Alps, Waldemar is chatting to British artist Tracey Emin. They talk about her holiday, her recovery from cancer, and her exciting new plans for life in Margate. See the show notes on our website
The Waldy & Bendy Christmas and New Year Special continues with a look back at a difficult year in art. Who was best and, more importantly, who was worst.   See the show notes on our website
In Part 1 of their Christmas and New Year Special Waldy and Bendy finally get to meet in the flesh and chop down the best trees in art!   See the show notes at our website
Season Finale! Waldy & Bendy visit Bendor Grosvenor's Farm to search for the best birds in art and look back at their favourite art moments of the lockdown.   See the show notes on our website.
In a Line of Duty special, Waldy & Bendy get their collars felt, and then go head to head in the Battle of the Baroque!   See the show notes on our website.
Waldy & Bendy hear some shocking news from the art world, and celebrate spring by looking at the best gardens in art.   See the show notes on our website.
Waldy & Bendy go in search of the best St George in art, Waldy talks to Yoko Ono, while Bendy relives the Battle of Britain.   See the show notes at our website.
Booze Special! To celebrate the reopening of pubs in Britain, Waldy & Bendy search out the best drinking scenes in art. Also, ex-Masterchef presenter, Lloyd Grossman, talks about his new book on Bernini!   The Waldy and Bendy T shirts are back in stock! Get yours here! See the show notes on our website.
Digital Special! Waldy & Bendy change their names, get lost in the Metaverse, and continue their search for the best horse picture in art. Plus Beyonce!   See the show notes on our website.
In their Easter Special, Waldy & Bendy look at the best eggs in art. Waldy also has a chat with David Hockney about spring.   See the show notes on our website.
Waldy & Bendy raid Bendor Grosvenor's farm in the search for the best horse in art! Waldy reveals how Caspar David Friedrich changed his television career, while, Bendy visits the Queen.   See the show notes on our website.
Waldy & Bendy discuss some shocking news from the art world and investigate the future of museums. Bendy talks to a big honcho who’s written a book on the subject, while Waldy remembers Louisville, Kentucky.   See the show notes at our website.
Waldy & Bendy celebrate Mother's Day with a look at mothers in art, and pop into the big auction to see how much the Beeple will fetch. Also Waldy has a chat with Andy Goldsworthy about land art.   See the show notes on our website.
Waldy & Bendy delve into hell in the art of Hieronymus Bosch, and almost come to blows over prices in the auction world. Meanwhile Bendor takes a walk in ancient Rome and Waldy goes to India.   See the show notes at our website.
Waldy & Bendy celebrate the dodgy anniversary of Sir Joshua Reynolds, Bendy has a chat with Joanna Wood about accessibility in museums, and Waldy goes to Istanbul in his dreams.   See the show notes at our website.
Waldy & Bendy celebrate the dodgy birth of El Greco, and Waldy has a chat with Britain’s greatest forger, Shaun Greenhalgh. Plus the spiritual abstraction of Georgiana Houghton.   See the show notes on our website.
Waldy and Bendy have a Valentine's Day kiss-off, and conclude their search for the Worst Film About an Artist Ever Made with The Rebel starring Tony Hancock.   Find the show notes on our website.
Waldy & Bendy go head to head deciding if Lust For life is a worse van Gogh film than At Eternity’s Gate.  Plus the Raphael cartoons and a scary portrait of Andy Warhol.   See the paintings in the show notes on our website.
Waldy & Bendy run the rule over Albrecht Dürer and continue their search for the worst film about an artist ever made with ‘Pollock’, starring Ed Harris. Plus, a visit to an auction and Sophie the art baby.   See the show notes on our website.
Waldy & Bendy discover a new kind of blue and poke about in the Oval Office, looking at the art. The bad film this week is The Agony and the Ecstasy, with Charlton Heston as Michelangelo and Rex Harrison as Julius II.   See the show notes on our website.
Waldy & Bendy discuss sculpture after a chat with Antony Gormley, and then entertain themselves in the lockdown by watching a terrible film about Frida Kahlo. Then Waldy chooses a Fatimid ewer for his imaginary shelf.   See the show notes on our website.
Waldy & Bendy confront some shocking news from the art world. Waldy has a chat with the head conservation honcho at the National Gallery. And Bendy chooses an obscure picture for his On the Wall. Not!   See the show notes at our website.
Christmas Special. Waldy & Bendy argue about the Best Nativity in Art, Bendy has a chat with a Hollywood superstar, and Waldy puts on a sealskin onesie.   Find the show notes on our website.
Waldy and Bendy go gaga over the Royal Collection, and things go from baaaad to worse when they try to select the best sheep in art.   See the show notes at ZCZ Films.
Waldy tries to convince Bendy of the wonders of Rococo, and they both put on their wellies and stomp back to the farm to look at cats in art. Plus Lynette Yiadom-Boakye.   See the show notes at our website.
Waldy & Bendy dive into the dangerous artistic waters of fakes and forgeries, and ask what’s real in art and what isn’t? When they’ve done that, they go fishing and play some chess.
Waldy & Bendy discuss an exciting new Museum of African Art, talk to the author of The Brutish Museums, and then cuddle up to Bendy’s donkey. That’s right. Bendy has a donkey.   See the show notes on our website.
Waldy & Bendy attempt an American art special. But don’t get very far. Also, the timely return of the Waldy & Bendy Awards, where the search is on for the worst statue in Britain.   Check out the show notes on our website.
Waldy and Bendy catch up on what they’ve been up to in the interim since the last lockdown and discuss Artemisia Gentileschi.   Find the show notes here.
In a one episode special, Waldy swaps partners and teams up with his pal Ron to talk about flying works of art - otherwise known as birds. You can also watch the episode on Youtube where pictures of the birds are included.
Waldy and Bendy take a pop at Hogarth and discuss what it's like to visit galleries again as the lockdown eases. In On the Wall, Bendy goes for a stolen painting while Waldy goes for a heap of old instruments. See the show notes at the Sunday Times website.
Waldy & Bendy interview the director of the National Gallery and ask why the museums are taking such a long time to reopen. Then they hand out the prestigious Waldy & Bendy Award for the Worst Painter of Children in art.   See the show notes on The Sunday Times website.
Waldy and Bendy go head to head, arguing over whether British art is actually any good. And the Wendy Awards return, this time handed out to the best painters of children. Find the show notes at the Sunday Times website.
Waldy & Bendy talk to Damien Hirst talk about the impact of the lockdown and fall in love with Gainsborough. Bendy chooses a picture to hang on his wall that is famous for its wart, while Waldy goes for something bigger. Much bigger. See pictures and links in the show notes on the Sunday Times website.
Waldy and Bendy discuss iconoclasm and choose ‘the world’s worst museum website’. In On The Wall, Bendy goes for a landscape and Waldy goes for a VW camper van! Check out the show notes at The Sunday Times Website.
Waldy & Bendy wade into the Pre-Raphaelites and then hand out the first Wendies - the Waldy & Bendy Awards for the best museum websites. With big winners and even bigger losers! Find images and links at The Sunday Times website.
We talk to Grayson and Philippa Perry about their TV Art Club and ask who wears the trousers in their relationship? We also discuss The Royal Academy and Malcolm Gladwell's podcast 'The Lady Vanishes'. Plus Waldy gets in touch with his Polish roots! See show notes and pictures on The Sunday Times.
Tate Modern ought to be celebrating its 20th birthday, but the party had to be called off. So Waldy and Bendy throw their own party. Bendy also has a go at curating and Waldy picks Gustav Klimt's gorilla as his painting of the week. See show notes at The Sunday Times
Why are celebrities grabbing their paint brushes during the Great Lockdown, and what exactly is the elusive art movement they call Mannerism? Plus Waldy’s self-portrait as Philip Guston. See the show notes at the Sunday Times Website
Rubens divides opinions. But can he divide Waldy & Bendy? Also, a lockdown interview with Tracey Emin and why Bendy wants a Holbein. Check out the show notes on The Sunday Times website.
This week: Artemisia Gentileschi. Is she as good as everyone says? We also review Grayson Perry’s new TV art show and discuss why picture restoration has suddenly become such a popular topic. Find the show notes on the Sunday Times website: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/waldy-and-bendys-adventures-in-art-93t6w6wwh
What do we think of Caravaggio, and can bad people be good artists? Also, a lockdown interview with the director of the Wallace Collection. Find the show notes on The Sunday Times website: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/waldy-and-bendys-adventures-in-art-986cwq9nq
Why are we so obsessed with Leonardo da Vinci, and a virtual tour of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Show notes on Sunday Times: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/waldy-and-bendys-adventures-in-art-25w56nkkm
Should museums be allowed to ‘deaccession’ their collections, and why was Gauguin such a good painter of children?  Find the show notes on the Sunday Times website: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/waldy-and-bendys-adventures-in-art-pzs79xj7b