This year seems to be filled with a steam of deadlines to be met. On the one hand, this is a way to successfully achieve a lot by sticking to these deadlines. On the other, the feeling of constantly working on something else rather than the main project at hand can be a little frustrating.
However, if these things can be linked (as they somehow seem to be) it makes everything fall into place a lot easier.
For example, today we had a visit from our external examiner. It was a brief chat to see where we are at, and to ask questions about the programme. Although it was another other thing to do, these things can be helpful. Talking about your work can be hard and this forces you to think about it in a critical way and be able to justify certain things, which is important.
Then, the next deadline was for an external project a number of our year took art in. A brief was set in conjunction with the Modern 2 gallery proposed a contemporary response to their current exhibition of works by SJ Peploe. The work was to be something in “book” format (or using bookbinding/bookmaking techniques/ideas).
I love the contrast of working on something so small, delicate and precise in comparison to my other work, paintings and installations, which seem quite different in their working but the approach so similar.
Working from the brief and a number of visits to the exhibition, I came up with a response which took into account the exhibition space as a whole and how the artist´s works become part of it. Using shape and colour to form a three-part response, these elements were brought together in an almost architectural way.
The last two weeks have been spent, among other many things, preparing to spend two days in a booked project space. The idea is to capitalise on a larger space to explore installation and different scale work.
It is like a large drawing where space and the creation of it become important. Scale changes not just the perception and impact but the simple stuff such as logistics of creating lines/block colour etc. Time constraints among other things make the process an evolutionary thing. Although originally it was intended to be a more considered work in terms of planning and execution, that altered as the short project was realised.
Colour, always an important factor was consciously decided upon. From previous colour “collection” exercises, the colours were chosen. It is a different effect but still striking in its own way.
There is plenty to reflect upon and learn for the next similar intervention.
Otherwise small and annoying but necessary administrative tasks related to the course must be completed. We have a visit from our external examiner soon so an information sheet about our work had to be provided. We then have a short interview with them.
The next task to complete is a proposal for our final show. We don´t get assigned space, but must look at the available space and come up with a work proposal for a specific space. This can be done individually or in a group format. On one hand this is a great opportunity to submit a professional document using clear intentions which will also aid planning for the final show. On the other hand its an exercise which can be frustrating as it can be difficult to come to agreeable conclusions when working with a number of other people who all have different ideas about their work and are quite particular in their desires for the final show. However, it will be resolved soon and concentrating on making the work will be the focus rather than the issues around it.
With less than 14 weeks left on the calendar until final submissions for degree show, I´ll use this space to chart my progress.
Having spent the first semester writing a dissertation and playing about with some installation, it is time to plan my activities towards the final show.
It is also the time to apply for what I want to do after graduation – residencies, further studies and so on. This also includes submitting work for exhibitions.
The images are of a recent installation, the drawn plan for this and an original drawing the forms were taken from. It is a process from traditional skechbook drawing or larger sheet drawings, to find a way to make the shapes and line I want – what material to use.
The work I am planning now could be like this or could be based on a mix of big paintings and installation – its something I need to be a bit clearer about – however getting head space to think this over is tricky.
On the other hand its something that is a necessary part, not just of this course, but in artistic practice in general, so its all good practice.
It´s a busy time, not just in the studio but everywhere else…
