University of Sunderland

The past week has flown by – clearing studios, trying to ensure that things required for show setup will be in place (electric sockets functional, scaffolding booked etc etc) and of course veiled threats to the second years who were meant to have vacated the studio spaces by last Friday. Due to the rather large space I have been allocated (which held six second year students in all), the space has been left in a fairly mixed state. Hence, most of today has involved clearing up leftover pieces of work, detritus and mess. The technicians have not reached that studio to reconfigure the walls yet so painting them is out of the question as yet. The sheer scale of the preparatory task is somewhat daunting and I am scouring the corners of my brain for a list of people who may be available, willing, able and ultimately obliging enough to help me at a point where I may be devoid of simple things like reason, humour and rational thought. I'm off to buy my paint and associated DIY gubbins this weekend so will return next week heavily laden and hoping hard that the walls have been removed/built as required so I can forge ahead…. After a fairly sleepless weekend last week, I submitted my Professional Practice portfolio this Tuesday and am relieved to have it beyond my interfering reach now. The urge to rewrite, to change and to modify that pesky critical evaluation verged upon a manic desperation. Perhaps my degree show concerns were being transferred to thewriting required for the portfolio? No matter, tis now gone and in the hands of the tutors marking it. To be honest, despite the stress of the time constraints placed upon preparing the show, I am cautiously excited and looking forward to exhibiting my work. Newcastle University Fine Art Degree Show opens on Friday night and I am looking forward to seeing what my peers there produce – not to mention hoping that nothing there seems too like my own plans!