Relocation Relocation Relocation
A big part of rebuilding and refocusing my practice has seen me think about where I want to be based. The questions that I have asked myself have been what is best for me? What is best for my practice? Where do I want to be?
Two weeks ago, I moved back to London, started a new job in an art gallery and re-connected with some of my fantastic and supportive artist friends. It’s been an extremely hectic couple of weeks, but I’ve been made to feel really welcome being back. It’s a totally different feeling to when I lived here last year, and this is a really, really good thing. Although London is expensive, I felt that it was important for me to base myself here for the time being, as this is where my peers from last years MA are. I felt that it would be a waste to be away from them after spending so much time and energy building up good relationships.
The first week was pretty crazy, especially as immediately after moving into a new flat, I took part in the second roving post Wimbledon MA salon, which took place at James Petrucci’s and Alex March’s studios at Space Studios in Vauxhall. I showed my ‘Ascent’ piece from earlier in the month and got some good feedback. It was also good to see what the others had been up to since September. The plan is to hold another of these salon/crit things in another two months.
I finally made it to a Zeitgeist Art Projects DIY Educate talk, the A – Z of surviving after art school last week. We had talks on this topic before, during the MA, but this one was the most realistic and down to earth I guess. It was a good evening and it was good to meet Rosalind Davis and Annabel Tilley.
I took the opportunity to explore my new local neighbourhood of Peckham during the South London Art Map last Friday which was good fun, and really good way to find out what galleries and events are happening on my doorstep. My highlight was Anton Zolotov at the Hannah Barry gallery. There was also free beer. It is funny how you recognise so many people at private views in such a big place as London, and it was also fun bumping into lots of Wimbledon BA alumni too.
My head is all over the place at the moment whilst I settle in. The plan for the coming weeks is to gather my thoughts, and make plans towards finding a studio space. Then it will be a case of getting myself organised and prioritising my practice. This first quarter of 2012 has been really positive though, and I feel as if I am moving forward and taking strides towards rebuilding my practice.
