Ginny Topp Art Space Portsmouth Graduate Residency 2013

During the first couple of weeks I moved things around in the studio several times-I guess this will be ongoing!!!

On November 15^th ASP arranged a “meet the artist” event-this was a chance for other members of ASP to come to my studio for a chat, a cuppa and cake. The studio was full!! Afterwards I was invited to join a group of ASP artists for a “Flash group” meeting which I found most interesting. Flash groups are small group meetings where artists get together to discuss a variety of subjects/ support each other in their professional practice etc.

I kept a diary of the first few weeks at studio 22 but there is far too much information for a blog. Ideas for work flooded in-some I have experimented with already, some are plans for future projects and others were completely mad but I may follow them up!!!

I find myself revisiting past research and looking at artists and work I have previously found inspiring but I am looking at all this work and information in a different light. I have indulged in ordering new books-that 1 click button on Amazon is lethal!!!

My intended work will take a lot from previous works which looked at layers and palimpsests and deconstruction but I am also excited by new mediums and ideas. The main inspiration will include concepts of closure, things obscured or blocked, and memories and will look at windows and doors-openings and liminal spaces.

I have recently shuffled things around again since needing more wall space for a 6x6foot frame I bought off an artist moving out of his studio at ASP. I intend to try a couple of large works. At the moment I am at the test stage working experimentally on a smaller scale,

my studio

The opportunity arose to apply for a Graduate Student Residency at Art Space Portsmouth (ASP). This was my chance to have a studio space for 6 months along with 6 mentoring sessions and a solo 2 week exhibition at GASP, the wonderful gallery space at ASP.

I put in my application and hoped for the best. After a slightly nervous interview on October 25th I was thrilled to hear I had been awarded the residency and started planning straight away.

As the first proper entry of my first ever blog there is a lot to say as there is a month or so to catch up on!!!

Before I came to Art Space:-

I studied 3DDesign at the University of Portsmouth and graduated in 2008 with First Class Honours. The majority of my work during the degree was ceramic but at the end of the 3 years I felt I had loads more to learn.

I enrolled on a Fine Art Masters. Having completed my first year successfully I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and although I attempted to continue, the treatment especially chemotherapy meant I had to take a study break. The cancer, surgery and treatment became the focus of my work and I graduated with Distinction in 2012.

When I returned in October 2011 to complete my MA the University made the decision to close several workshops including the wonderful ceramic workshop. After several months of negotiation I managed to secure the donation of the equipment and have spent a year setting it up for student and community use. Although this has been an incredible journey and a rewarding adventure I realised I had not done much work of my own since my MA and missed working creatively.