I wanted to add some kind of words of wisdom about my experience of taking part in One And Other. I had a feedback questionnaire from Skyarts, but that didn’t really do it justice.
The good thing is that I had fallen into a really negative frame of mind from having spent a whole year looking and applying for work without much success. I was tempted to write about that in here but didn’t want to counteract all the positive achievements I’ve made with negativity, or come across as constantly moaning.
So it is after much thought that I now find myself able to admit a very hard thing.
I applied for a job during the House Of Bling review for visual and performance artists at my local art gallery, The Collection, but wasn’t even invited to an interview.
I was given the response that “someone else had more experience”.
I am getting this response from every job I apply for, whether it’s an art related position to further my career, or just an unrelated part time job to gain an additional income – if I get a response at all, which I’ve been told is a good thing – as I said before, no one actually wants to employ me. The disappointment of not even being considered for a job at my own local gallery mentally I couldn’t even think about, because it was far too harsh. So this opportunity has taken me away from that and given me fresh motivation to keep going. And contrary to what you might think, I have actually filled out the Arts Council grant application before sending it!
As it was, on Tuesday, the LAN met up after an artist’s talk by Barbara Walker, and plans are coming together, the group is gaining momentum. We have decided on a new proposal for a joint exhibition and people seem more committed to getting things off the ground. It all seems to take far longer than I’d like. People keep suggesting we set up an Empty Shops Network in Lincoln, however, actually contacting people about this has elicited little response so far. But we’re onto it.
I’m starting to understand that for many things, a certain amount of dogged insistence is required. I don’t think I can accept “no” for an answer any more!
Or non-replies to emails – some people are so ignorant!
Back to One And Other, for a moment of reflection. I didn’t see anything of Antony Gormley himself, having spent most of his career inhabiting prominent positions around the UK, he seems to have finally taken up a somewhat Godlike position floating somewhere invisibly above the plinth….you kind of felt his presence, but he never appeared in person. if I was a Gormley atheist I’d be asking for proof of his existence!!
