Well that was the year that was 2017. A fantastic fragrant adventure, all told, but to be honest the business of securing exhibitions, holding workshops and sourcing opportunities mean that the years sort of blur into one; a fair chunk of my 2018 diary is filled already and I’m contemplating finding a 2019 one.
That said, as I look to the next 12 months there is one thing I want to address – the extension of my knowledge of perfumery. You see, although 2017 proved fruitful in terms of the exhibition and workshop opportunities presented to me, the sheer workload saw me instigate no tangible further research into perfume as a mode of communication. I’m keen to learn more about the historical, social and political capabilities of scent in order to accomplish richer, more coherent work.
This can be achieved in many ways, including more formal and scholarly research into the subject. But principally this year I wish to let other artists into my perfume making process, initiating collaborations that will be mutually beneficial; seeing not only an exchange of knowledge but a means of furthering our collective understanding of scent and what scent can be.
It’s certainly something I’m looking forward to, although it may well reveal some of my own shortcomings. After all, I’ve only really been making perfumes for a few years and my comparative lack of knowledge may come with it’s own set of problems. But hey, I’m here to learn, and learn I shall!
