In my first year of university, I created a piece of site specific sculpture, prior to a site specific module. My studio space was turned upside down, my work ruined and I vowed never to work in the studio space again.
I received a first-class grade on my next project, a number of large sculptures, completed in my bedroom, displayed in a white cube setting. In my second year, I fell ill. In my third year, more or less recovered, I attempted to ‘play the game’ to make up for my time spent away from university.
My friend and I shared a studio space, it was great. I worked really hard. I even started a sketchbook, something I don’t usually do. I made collages, drawings, paintings, diagrams, I experimented, I spent time in the library, I worked myself harder than I’ve ever worked myself before and it still wasn’t good enough to bump up my grade. Yet there were those working from their rooms, the way I did in the past, achieving higher marks with less visible research and development, which was the whole point of the module.
So, I have decided that this year, in the weeks leading up to the degree show, I’ll work from my room. I’ll work in an environment where I feel comfortable enough to just get on with things, without distraction, without having to leave the house. No concern for whether or not I’ve had a shower or brushed my teeth, or combed my hair, to just roll out of bed and start working, start making, start creating. A video relating to this post: http://player.vimeo.com/video/26547280
