Jacob Barnes joins Victoria Comstock-Kershaw for this episode of the brave podcast, recorded inside Season 4 Episode 6, the London-based gallery he founded. Working primarily across sculpture and installation, Barnes reflects on building a programme rooted in ambition, clarity, and a refusal to follow established models. He discusses the gallery’s evolution over its first 18 months and its focus on presenting work that is direct, forceful, and capable of provoking strong reactions. Recent exhibitions are explored, including David Atwood’s use of industrial washing machine components to examine domestic labour, alongside The Bar, an immersive, rule-based project testing endurance and social interaction.

The conversation expands to the London gallery landscape, where Barnes advocates for greater urgency and originality while critiquing repetition within the ecosystem. He outlines how initiatives such as Minor Attractions and Summer Sessions connect contemporary art with music, performance, and public programming. An upcoming exhibition by Japanese artist BIEN is introduced, whose work bridges painting and sculptural form while engaging with literary references. Together, these threads point towards a programme that continues to evolve through experimentation, international dialogue, and a sharpened engagement with painting.