Postgraduate?

Two weeks have passed since arriving at the residency space in Iceland. www.listhus.com/

Acutely aware of time and how fast it can pass us by, I am determined to stay focused and disciplined to make the most of the stay and create good solid research material for later development.

Everybody is different but this is what works for me. I have yet to pinpoint the thing I am most interested in here but some things come to mind. The shadows that the great mountains which surround us cast constantly change and the attempt to catch these shadows in “shadow drawings” has been a part of this.

The colours here too – be it the natural shades found on the hills and sky and sea or the flat bright colours of the houses and buildings. The great contrast of rugged mountainous landscape and the small man made town with its great evidence of human occupation.

Before arriving, I was recommended to look at the artist Roni Horn – her work has been greatly influenced by her frequent stays in Iceland – I am reading her volume Weather Reports You – collections of weather reports and stories from an area in Iceland.

In most places in the world, people talk about the weather a lot of the time, if even just for short conversation. How the weather affects our lives is maybe not measurable but visible. More so in a place like this. Reports of extreme weather amaze and mystify whilst the day to day reality of living somewhere where your everyday activities either rely or are dependent on the weather can change your outlook and ultimately your life and how you live it.

Looking at an artist working with something so connected to place and experience is inspirational and opens up ideas and different ways of thinking.

I encouraged the other artists staying in the residency to take part in a presentation of their work – so that we could all gain some insight to each other’s practice. Although informally done, it’s a great exercise to follow – the more I can talk my ideas through and see others, the more I can shape my own practice and ideas.

At the end of the residency period, in just 2 weeks, we will host an open house to show what we have worked on to a wider audience. Although it seems like a short time left, it’s enough time to get some ideas down and explore them a bit more, before returning.

From June to here…

Since finishing up and graduating from university a few things have happened.

One: I had an exhibition at Gallery North, Newcastle. This was part of the Woon Foundation Painting and Sculpture Prize – I received a judges’ discretionary prize.

Two: I worked a fair bit – non student life=more expensive

Three: I applied and was accepted as a key member to a new artist collective 2|1|4|1; we just had our first annual members’ show.

http://www.2-1-4-1.com/

Four: I had got some money in a bursary before leaving university and have used this towards a residency which I applied for in Iceland – which is where I am now . . .

The difference between student life and life as a practicing artist after graduation is, needless to say, vastly different. It is clear that to have any kind of sustainable practice, it requires not just the means to do so, but the strong willpower and determination to continue doing something which is indeed rewarding but can also be daunting and equally frustrating.

The reason I applied to be part of the collective 2|1|4|1, was that the manifesto seemed to be about the things I am concerned about – the need for wider interaction with peers, possibilities to collaborate, contribute and to help with the time between graduation and a sustained and developed professional practice.

Already just being part of this wider network has opened my eyes to a number of things and I feel and hope it will be a two way thing about what I can get out of and put into the collective. We are a group of hard working focussed individuals which will be the key to the collectives’ success.

I was fortunate to find a residency with space in September which I was successful in applying to. It seems as if these kinds of things are really competitive, and not just the opportunities with funding. I am aware that is one area of my practice which needs attention. There is a special language and way of applying for these kinds of things and it is something which I need to get better at.

For now though, to Iceland. After spending a few days in Reykjavik, I have now been at the residency space for almost one week. Just getting here was something special. There was two ways to come, and I chose the quickest by flying. However, the bus to the town I am staying in took almost as long as the flight, with me the only passenger on the three times daily bus up and along the coast, through a tunnel and out into the fjord.

It is a fantastic contrast to daily life being here, without so many of the distractions of city life (internet aside), the little village settled in between huge mountains and the fjord. Being here for just one month has made me acutely aware of how short and long a time that is. The need to make the most of the experience whilst balancing just being is important to me.

However, I am disappointed that I didn´t take the time before to plan what I intended to do here, or to have an idea of outcome. On the other hand, sometimes being away and having a concentrated period of time for ones practice is enough to make planning irrelevant and perhaps unnecessary, it is something which will naturally come out of being here and working.

So far, the realities of living here and daily life have been picked up and I have already made a number of visual records both in sketchbook and camera. I have explored some of the area around by running through it, walking around and looking. For me it’s important to document to experience in a number of ways to be able to further develop the material later or back home when the residency is finished. I originally thought to just do a lot of research material but I would really like to use the time to develop some ideas I already have into something more resolved before I return.