Verity Babbs
Please could you tell us a little about yourself and your background
I grew up in the countryside in Northamptonshire, went to the tiny local primary school, and a nearby state school in another village. My parents are both actors - a freelance lifestyle has always been my blueprint, so it's no surprise that it's what I've landed on, too. My maternal grandparents were a languages teacher and an accountant. My paternal grandparents were a glazier and a factory machinist. Both of my parents grew up in the West Midlands. I studied History of Art at Wadham College, Oxford between 2016 and 2019, and have been working since then as a writer, presenter, and host of art-themed comedy events 'Art Laughs'.
Did you have an interest in the arts as a child?
I was interested in having debates as a child, and art ended up being a great vehicle for that. My mum would regularly take me to galleries and museums as a child but I was definitely more interested in looking at the gift shop at the end.
Was there a moment or a person or a place in your past that influenced you or you feel set you on the journey to where you are now?
In Sixth Form I was encouraged to take part in Articulation, a public speaking competition for school-aged students where you discuss an artwork of your choice for 10 minutes. I chose Damien Hirst's medicine cabinet 'Pretty Vacant' and felt very edgy. Articulation have been amazing supporters of my career ever since and the experience really cemented for me that I wanted to speak to people about art for a career. The teachers who encouraged me to take part - Mr Christy and Mr Briggs at Chenderit School - were more influential on me than they'll ever know, and really helped me through a tough time. Their support to lean into my quirks rather than hide from them has really shaped who I am.
What has inspired or influenced you?
Something that had a real impact on me was seeing Dr James Fox' 'The History of Art in Three Colours' television series on the BBC in 2012. It was the first documentary I had seen that made me really excited to learn about art, and like art really was for me. I have struggled to read since I was a child - which it now turns out was undiagnosed ADHD - and finding out that programmes like Dr Fox' existed and could satisfy my desire to learn was incredible. Two exhibitions that had huge impact on me were Hirst's 2012 retrospective at the Tate Modern and Banksy's Dismaland in 2015. Both shows demonstrated to me quite how much fun there was to be had in the art world, that had always seemed alarmingly formal and intellectual.
What international art destination do you most want to visit?
I've never been to the Venice Biennale, so that feels like an obvious choice. But I've got such a short attention span that I rarely stay in any exhibition for long (my record for Frieze was 30 minutes), so I might need to visit Venice in 20 minute chunks for several months. I'd love to explore one of the mega Freeports in Europe where the mega rich have their priceless artwork in storage.
What work of art would you most like to own?
It's an odd one because I'm not at all religious but it would have to be William Holman Hunt's 'The Light of the World' which they have at Keble College, Oxford. They've got the artwork set up with a button where when you press it the painting is illuminated. I used to visit the Keble chapel regularly just to look at the painting during my time at Oxford. I'd need to have the lighting rig, too. It reminded me of how dazzling the altar pieces of the medieval times must have been, with the gold glimmering in the candle light. We're all just advanced moths, aren't we?
Where are you finding ideas and inspiration for your work currently?
This is an interesting question, because I'm actually trying to not find ideas and inspiration, and allow myself to spend some time trying stuff out and just being. I love seeing what events are happening in cultural venues and thinking whether I could pitch to hold an Art Laughs event there, and seeing comedians who are killing it on social media and noting down their name to try to get in touch later down the line to get them in a lineup.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to make a living in the arts?
To find your niche, even if that niche is just being you. Any artist of any kind will benefit from having a really strong identity and grasp of who they are.
What is the most important thing to know about you?
That I'm trying my best.
Please tell us one unexpected thing about yourself.
That I had a briefly promising javelin-throwing career in my teens. I think some of my old distances are still out there on the internet if you google me...
Visit Verity’s website or Watch some Art Laughs on YouTube
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