The Mind Control of Mount Making with Alex Abbott, Director of Dauphin

In this episode, I sat down with Alex Abbott, Art Consultant and Director of Dauphin, a company that specializes in displays and mounts.

I speak to Alex about what his company does - which a lot of you have certainly come into contact with but not been fully aware of. Alex does the unseen work of ensuring the objects we view and love in museums, galleries, and homes are mounted with safety and care. That ancient jug you saw last week at the Museum of Natural History? That was mounted and tilted at a 40 degree angle by Alex and his team, but his main objectives are not to impress the viewer with his skills of mounting a work of art or history - his objective is that his work remains as invisible as possible while keeping whatever it is he is working with, safe.

I speak to Alex about the artworks he has worked with in the past, including Barbara Heptworth sculptures and suits of armor. I ask him what sort of things need to be considered when consulting on how works of art or objects should be displayed, and also what its like to be director of a company at quite a young age - he took the helm of Dauphin at just 25 years old. We talk about the psychology of displays, the unseen work of mount makers in the arts, so much more.

Thank you Alex for coming on the podcast!

You can follow Dauphin on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/dauphinacrylic/

You can check out Dauphin here: https://www.dauphin.co.uk/

YOU CAN SUPPORT ALL ABOUT ART ON PATREON HERE: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/allaboutart⁠

FOLLOW ALL ABOUT ART ON INSTAGRAM HERE: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/allaboutartpodcast/⁠

ABOUT THE HOST:

I am an Austrian-American art historian, curator, and writer. I obtained my BA in History of Art at University College London and my MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy at Goldsmiths, University of London. My specializations are in contemporary art and the contemporary art market along with accessibility, engagement, and the demystification of the professional art sector.

Here are links to my social media, feel free to reach out:

• Instagram⁠ @alexandrasteinacker ⁠

• Twitter ⁠@alex_steinacker⁠

• and LinkedIn at ⁠Alexandra Steinacker-Clark⁠

This episode is produced at Synergy https://synergy.tech/the-clubhouse/the-podcast-studio/

COVER ART: Lisa Schrofner a.k.a Liser⁠ ⁠⁠www.liser-art.com⁠ and Luca Laurence www.lucalaurence.com

Research and Creative Assistant: Iris Epstein

My forthcoming book Working in Art has officially beeen announced as available for pre-order, with publication coming in April 2026.

So, on this week’s episode of All About Art, I walk you through what went into creating this book - the travel to 9 cities across 5 countries, the interviews with arts professionals I deeply admire, and the honest moments of self-doubt along the way. I explain why I felt this book needed to exist: the arts and cultural sector contributes £19.1 billion to the UK economy annually, yet fewer than 8 state schools offer History of Art at A-level. How are young people supposed to know what career paths are available if we don’t show them?

This episode is more personal than usual. I talk about the process of organizing interviews, editing down lengthy transcripts, and working through the fear of whether my own writing was good enough. I also share who this book is for - whether you’re considering entering the arts sector, already working in it, or simply curious about the range of careers that exist beyond artist or gallerist.

You can pre-order the book here: https://www.alexandrasteinacker.com/book

YOU CAN SUPPORT ALL ABOUT ART ON PATREON HERE: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/allaboutart⁠

FOLLOW ALL ABOUT ART ON INSTAGRAM HERE: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/allaboutartpodcast/⁠

ABOUT THE HOST:

I am an Austrian-American art historian, curator, and writer. I obtained my BA in History of Art at University College London and my MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy at Goldsmiths, University of London. My specializations are in contemporary art and the contemporary art market along with accessibility, engagement, and the demystification of the professional art sector.

Here are links to my social media, feel free to reach out:

• Instagram⁠ @alexandrasteinacker ⁠

• and LinkedIn at ⁠Alexandra Steinacker-Clark⁠

This episode is produced at Synergy https://synergy.tech/the-clubhouse/the-podcast-studio/

COVER ART: Lisa Schrofner a.k.a Liser⁠ ⁠⁠www.liser-art.com⁠ and Luca Laurence www.lucalaurence.com

Research and Creative Assistant: Iris Epstein

New episode of ‘All About Art’: Designing a Fair Marketplace for Artists and Collectors with Bibi Zavieh, Founder of newcube

In this episode, I sat down with Bibi Zavieh, Founder of newcube.art, an artist platform and art advisory.

I speak to Bibi about her experiences at Christie’s and ArtNet before she ventured into entrepreneurship and launched newcube right before the covid lockdowns.

I ask her about how she works with both artists as well as collectors, and how this new business model fits into the art ecosystem. We delve into what it means to collect art today, to gain art market expertise and develop an “eye”, so much more.

Thank you Bibi for coming on the podcast!

• You can follow newcube on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/newcube.art/?hl=en
• You can check out newcube here: https://www.newcube.art/

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YOU CAN SUPPORT ALL ABOUT ART ON PATREON HERE: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/allaboutart⁠

FOLLOW ALL ABOUT ART ON INSTAGRAM HERE: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/allaboutartpodcast/⁠

ABOUT THE HOST:

I am an Austrian-American art historian, curator, and writer. I obtained my BA in History of Art at University College London and my MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy at Goldsmiths, University of London. My specializations are in contemporary art and the contemporary art market along with accessibility, engagement, and the demystification of the professional art sector.

Here are links to my social media, feel free to reach out:

• Instagram⁠ @alexandrasteinacker ⁠

• Twitter ⁠@alex_steinacker⁠

• and LinkedIn at ⁠Alexandra Steinacker-Clark⁠

COVER ART: Lisa Schrofner a.k.a Liser⁠ ⁠⁠www.liser-art.com⁠ and Luca Laurence www.lucalaurence.com