When I look back over this blog, coming up to its third anniversary, there have been quite a few times when I have described a feeling of being in limbo… waiting for something.
Here I am again. I have three remaining sessions at school, during which I am basically removing my personal belongings, resources and so on. The shelves look empty because I have removed the books that are mine, The equipment cupboard has a few gaps in, and there are a few materials too, that I had taken in for Y6 specifically to use for their individual projects… all now reclaimed. I wonder if anyone will notice?
All that is left now really, is to clear up. I shall send the work to the children to take home. No one else seems to be that bothered what happens to it, and at this point I can’t see anyone else spending the time to get it up on the walls.
I got quite upset last Monday, as I went into the room to find a pile of work at the back of the room, looking dishevelled and creased. I have to detach now. My friends tell me it is someone else’s problem. True. And I (mostly) have now detached. But I am sad that actually I don’t think it will be someone else’s problem, because I don’t think I will be replaced. The furniture will be though.
Detach.
Meanwhile, in the middle of Dudley town centre at ArtSPACE is my exhibition. Sorry, OUR exhibition… Bo Jones joins his work to mine again for One(2). Both of us have moved on since ONE last October, but curiously it still works. I might have a bit of a think about why at some point. But it does. Today I had an open studio day. I didn’t have loads of visitors, but those I had were lovely, they stayed for cake and tea or coffee, and chatted for ages.
And on to the new…
Over half term, I start working with the education team at New Art Gallery Walsall. What an amazing opportunity! It is a great place, and the people on the team I have met so far are lovely. They seem very keen to have me there. That feels good.
It is a bit scary to not have a regular (albeit small) lump of money coming in. But, instead of that, I already have work booked at NAGW to cover the summer months. I will earn as much, but over fewer days, and it will be more sporadic. There are many “up” sides to this… I can be more flexible. I can say yes to things. I can say no to things too. The word “freelance” is exciting and terrifying.
I like it.
