Tuesday 17th
Went into University early to have a quick discussion about artwork/ publicity for a 'Disability Arts event' in December to mark the 'International day of the Disabled person'. To-wards the end i received a call from a 'rail company' whose accessibility manager is in Portsmouth 'would i like to be introduced to his replacement?' Head off to the station to present project (again…) and show examples of locations around the main station where the work would fit in. This all goes well and spend some time shadowing them on a few journeys. Unfortunately i get off at Fareham to return to Portsmouth and it takes me just under 2hrs to get back as i can only travel on 'selective' trains at present. Will be so much easier when i have passes to travel on the other networks trains. Still gives me chance to chat with staff about AP and gather some 'stories'. Work some more on the bursary application and outlining AP and what i have just heard, when i get in.
Monday 16th
Got up knowing i would have to write till lunchtime, after yesterday this looked even more gloomy. Did it though and actually achieved a fair bit. Was working on a bursary application, 'what would i like to develop with the money?' Judging by the state of the weather here i fancy creating lines in a hot 'Dessert', Nazca Style. Doubt if i will get away with it so act a bit more conventionally. All i desire to do is develop, create and show. Applications at present feel the biggest barrier ti fulfilling this.
Head off to Aspex Gallery in early afternoon, they are hosting a 'Social enterprise' event. Meet up with UnLtd, based in London. They gave me an award last year to look in to setting up a network based in Portsmouth for Dyslexic artists of any description. (anyone interested in hearing more? [email protected]) They are quite unique as they are one of the only organizations who give grants to individuals. They very pleased with the progress so will drop in to their London office over next few weeks to tie things up. Meet with both familiar and non people and leave to head home. Had a look at main gallery exhibition too, very 'blue'. No rain?
Sunday 15th
Tried to do nothing all day as very tired, as always you get 'ideas' and have to record them one way or another. Artists don't switch off. Real pain as have to write some of the day. Just wanted to switch off.
Saturday 14th
Arrive in the morning and am made very welcome. The school is such an ‘enlightened' contrast to my own experiences at junior school its almost emotionally overwhelming. Leave the word ‘dream' hidden in one of the rooms. I am nervous and ‘reserved', but speak and it goes very well, able to weave and contrast my experience with theirs, this resonated especially with the parents. Speak about ‘AP' and have interest from parents from London who wish to take part in the ‘conversations on the trains' when they start. Am asked after, if I could ‘go' back and change what happened to me ‘would I? I explain, calmly, that I wouldn't.
Without having experienced ‘my journey', I would have little ‘depth' to draw upon, I wouldn't be ‘creating the ‘issue based work', the ‘layers' within the work, nor would I be in the position I am with ‘alternative P'. I have no idea what life would be like without constant ‘emotional', ‘mental' and ‘physical' pain I feel now? I don't want to because this is ‘me'. I first had to learn to embrace and accept that this is my reality and evolve, my past informs but it doesn't ‘dictate' my practice any more. I can see that it wont benefit me to dwell on ‘what if' as I just don't know. It's irrelevant, yet an interesting question, one we all ask at some point.
Friday 13th
Head to Salisbury and visit the main gallery. Had some work on display there recently (Intrusion struckture 11 and 'dyslexic library, now on show in ICI in London) but was unable to attend the Private view or exhibition so was curious about the space. Also wanted to talk about setting up some sort of ‘showing' or collaboration/ workshops for ‘alternative platform' later in the life of the project. Afterwards, I check out bookshops for an old orange covered copy of ‘Midwich cuckoos' but again am unsuccessful. So head over to and sit in the cathedral for a while.
Am due to give a ‘speech' at a school for ‘children who are dyslexic or have aspergers' (or a mix like me) the next day so spend the evening talking with staff at their ‘summer do'. I have to leave early, to think about what I am to say next day, as I still find ‘public speaking' quite daunting and need to be well prepared.
