From their first portraits as students at Glasgow School of Art to new works made in midlife, they speak with humour and honesty. What emerges is a moving dialogue on art and the gift of growing older — a celebration of survival, creativity, and enduring connection.

This video is part of a special series of interviews with artists featured in the Seeing Each Other: Portraits of Artists exhibition, offering personal insights into the creative relationships that feature in their works.

Seeing Each Other: Portraits of Artists brings together over 150 works that explore artistic relationships, identity, and mutual influence in modern and contemporary British art. Spanning 125 years, it showcases paintings, prints, drawings, photography, sculpture, and installations that capture the distinctive gaze between creative peers.

Featuring over 80 artists including Lucian Freud, Lubaina Himid, David Hockney, Lee Miller, Eric Ravilious, Paula Rego and many more, the exhibition unveils friendships and emulation, as well as homages to earlier artists, through intimate portrayals. From rare portraits of celebrated figures to new commissions, discover connections that have shaped British art and new perspectives on artistic circles, from the Bloomsbury Group to the Young British Artists.

Seeing Each Other: Portraits of Artists is open at Pallant House Gallery until 2 November 2025. Book tickets here.

Join us at Pallant House Gallery on Thursday 23 October 2025 for Artistic Friendship – a special in-person talk with Chantal Joffe and Ishbel Myerscough in conversation with Chief Curator Melanie Vandenbrouck. Book tickets here.