From Storms to Success: Playing the Long Game, with Sam Gilbey

This week, we’re joined by the brilliant Sam Gilbey – a celebrated illustrator known for his detailed, painted portraits of cult movie characters, iconic pop culture figures, and, more recently, football heroes. In a lively and nostalgic conversation, Sam and host Katy Cowan explore what it means to survive and thrive as a creative today — through economic downturns, industry disruption, and the ever-looming rise of AI. From early web design adventures and building Weetabix’s first website, to becoming a go-to artist for Blu-ray covers and film posters, Sam reflects on more than two decades of creative resilience. He talks candidly about the shifts he’s seen, the challenges illustrators face now, and why doubling down on your passion — even when things get tough — is more important than ever. We also hear how becoming a dad sparked a major career pivot, how Sam built a reputation in the pop culture gallery scene, and how he’s learned to spot opportunities when things go quiet. Along the way, there’s talk of cereal box nostalgia, VHS cover art, Comic Con antics, and a surprising run-in with Tony Hart on national TV. It’s a conversation packed with humour, insight, and a big dose of honesty — perfect for any creative wondering how to keep going, keep growing, and keep doing what they love. This season is proudly sponsored by the School of Communication Arts.