Born To. Episode Three - Myrna Mitchell

Hello and welcome back to Jo’s Art History Podcast. This episode is part of a special five part series, produced in collaboration with British Art Fair and PensionBee, celebrating five artists who’ve found a second act in life through their creative practice. Their work will be shown as part of the Born To exhibition at British Art Fair this September in London.The artistMyrna Mitchell, who works under the name Myrna Tracy Ceramics, spent 20 years living in the UAE, returning to the UK in 2011 with a young family. A pottery class she joined as a hobby soon became a life changing new direction. In 2019 she returned to education as a mature student, completing an Art Foundation and then a Creative Arts Practice degree at Bath Spa University, graduating with First Class Honours in 2022 and receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award. Since then she’s been selected for the British Ceramics Biennial Fresh, the John Ruskin Prize, Sotheby’s Secret Ceramics, and London Craft Week. Her work explores identity, belonging, and the stories objects carry, rooted in her own experience of displacement and return.Featured works: Kiss and Dancing for JoyWebsite: www.myrnatracyceramics.com Instagram: @myrnatracyceramicsThis episode’s PensionBee segment asks: why do the self-employed need to get their pension game sorted?Thank you to our partner PensionBee, a leading online pension provider on a mission to build pension confidence so that everyone can enjoy a happy retirement. PensionBee’s exciting campaign ‘Born to Retire’ highlights how retirement isn’t the end of your life, it’s just the beginning. In celebration of this campaign, PensionBee is holding a feature exhibition ‘Born To’ at British Art Fair, showcasing what becomes possible when financial security gives people the freedom to pursue their passions. Curated by me, Jo McLaughlin, presenter of Jo’s Art History, the artists featured are all aged 50 and over, with practices that reflect longevity, reinvention, or sustained creative ambition. Discover the exhibition from 24 to 27 September at the Saatchi Gallery, London.PensionBee’s monthly podcast, The Pension Confident Podcast, aims to help listeners better understand the world of personal finance and pensions. Listen or watch the full episodes on YouTube. Their website and award-winning app help savers understand pensions with helpful tools like their Pension Calculator, blogs, and videos. With PensionBee, you can manage your pension savings online with ease and can combine and contribute from one place. Self-employed pension savers can even open a flexible pension plan, contributing as often or as little as they like. Take control of your retirement today with PensionBee.When investing, your money is at risk.