Ok, so much has happened that I do not know where to start!
It is easier to start from the beginning, that way I hopefully won’t miss anything out!
Firstly I have had a meeting with the Chief Executive of DanceEast (Assis!), I could say that it went wonderfully but that would be a lie. The idea of the module is to somehow work with/collaborate or even commission a piece of work for an outside body. So for the most part I suppose that it ticks some of the boxes! If I elaborate a little for understanding, I attended the meeting and tried to pitch my ideas to Assis. I prepared a PowerPoint presentation, brought along a book of sketches I had made for possible sculptures, samples of the polyester resin (gone hard), and taken the plaster version of the dancer stretching that I have already been working on. So we sat down, I got to the third slide of the PowerPoint, and was asked about what colour I would make the sculpture in. I, obviously hoping that this would be some form of collaboration was hoping for some feedback and asked the question ‘what colour would work best in the space you would display it?’, I was then told with no uncertain terms that this is your project, you decide. I would not commission a piece of work, I do not like representational art, neither would I want any input, but you can display the work for a four week period!’
So how should I take that? I can tick a couple of boxes and have somewhere to display some work, but what will I gain from this partnership? I presume not a lot! Now I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so will display a piece in the space provided to me, but I am afraid that I will not be creating anything new, making the piece that I have already started will ultimately be the piece that I present!
Next was the trying to find an internship or even work experience. I e-mailed White Cube in hope that they would provide me with contact details for a studio of the likes of Antony Gormley etc, but had no response. I then e-mailed again (but not expecting much!) and a few days later received an e-mail in return, how exciting? Reading further, they are unable to provide me with such details, but if I forward my current CV to them they will forward it on to the relevant people. What a result, now I have to make sure my CV is in order and appropriate to the artists.
I was also fortunate to be given Matt Darbyshire’s e-mail address (from an undisclosed source), and promptly sent him a request also. This unfortunately has come to no fruition, but something may soon, fingers crossed for that.
To keep myself busy and continuing to work my sculpture has progressed wonderfully, it is now shaped, smoothed and ready for preparation! This of which was completed today. Two coats of shellac, and two coats of PVA release agent later, I applied a thick layer of gel coat. The appearance looks wonderful but at the same time not the anticipated or even planned design. It looks rustic and rugged, as if it has been sitting in a pond or lake for a couple of years! Do I continue, and keep this effect very raw, or do I continue and ensure a polished finish? Time will tell but please look at the photo and give me your views on it.
And lastly, this evening I attended a talk bu Lawrence Edwards. Not only was the evening informative, but also humorous and enjoyable. It was nice to meet a local artist, and know that your level of success is not always about how many galleries in London you have displayed your work! (even though he is world known!) Not to turn down any opportunity, I also asked Lawrence if an internship, or work experience was something that he would consider at his studio? of which he replied yes, now all i need to do is contact him and discuss possibility this further.
As you can see quite a lot has happened since my last post, and hopefully more will happen before the next, so until next time, bye (sorry to have gone on a bit!)
