Since completing the work for the residency I’ve been wondering what next. Over the last few weeks I’ve had a real sense of deflation, which has led to questions about my practice and my role as an artist.
I was happy with the work in the residency but afterwards felt a bit let down because my work wasn’t a true representation of what I want my work to be about. The work I produced was a response to the mill and the archives, which they wanted and which I was very happy to do during the residency. What I want to do now though is concentrate and develop my own work and my practice. I want my work to be a bit different and edgy.
So I’ve been busy doing research looking at others’ work in books and on the internet, looking for inspiration. I’ve got a couple of days planned in London between Christmas and New Year so I can immerse myself in some art exhibitions. There seems to be some great stuff on at Tate Britain and I plan to spend a whole day there. What I want is to come away brimming with ideas so I can come home and start working. I love it when I’m busy with ideas and working on something. It seems to fill up part of me and I feel more whole.
I’ve already started to working on some stuff and I’m getting a great urge to make some sculpture again, which is a bit of a lovely pain as I’ve no space to do it but might have to just make some small things sat at the dining room table! I’m not usually that keen on Christmas but the thought of making some things, when I’ve seen too many relatives I only see at Christmas and have eaten another full tube of Pringles, could make is just about bearable.
I’ve found that one of the important things is to have a plan about what kind of work you’re going to do and hopefully things will fall into place and motivate you for a bit.
My early New Years resolution is to focus on my art and get some stuff done!
