The venue is now proving to be a problem for our MA show – and causing a little bit of stress! As our show is on at the same time as the Bristol Bi-annual all of the possible venues seem to be booked. This is rather worrying, as the space we would be given at uni is uncertain as of yet.
On a brighter note the planning for the fundraising exhibition is going really well, and I have started to recieve pieces by artists who I have either contacted directly, or have seen the advert I posted on the art council ‘opportunities’ website. So far I have got about confirmed artists – but hopefully the list will grow!
In terms of my own work I have been writing my evaluation document. It is not in till May, but I learnt from my last degree not to leave it till the last minute! I have done a little bit of painting too, and am going to start on a new series inspired by women in the industrial revolution. One thing that I do need to start concentrating on is the documentation of my work. I have tried photographing my paintings before, but am often dissapointed with the results. Motorcade/FlashParade organise documention days with a photographer so I think I will invest in doing that!
Organisation for the fundraising for the MA final show is really getting underway now. I have now started a blog dedicated to the fundraising exhibition:http://sixbyfourexhibition.blogspot.com/
When I (hopefully) start recieving pieces I will upload onto the blog, as well as lists of artists who have confirmed to taking part.
Another part of organisation for the final show is deciding which space to have it in. On Tuesday the MA group is meeting to discuss our options. One possibility is to have it at the Bower Ashton campus, as a space is offered to us there. However, it has been a tradition for the MA group to exhibit elsewhere. In other years they have shown at Spike Island and at the Diving School. We will have to see what ideas we come up with.
Which venues are other people using to show their degree shows? I would be interested in knowing! Some out of London art schools put on a show in London. This could always be a possibility.
Since I last posted on here I have been busily working on organising the fund-raising show.
So far I have been compileing lists of artists, designers, and illustrators to ask to contribute to the show. These include tutors at the university, visiting artists who have given talks to our MA group, artists that I know, artists that I would like to contact, and famous Bristolians! The list is becoming longer and longer. Via twitter I have managed to promote it a little, and several artists who follow me have said they will take part, which is wonderful, and generous of them! If you are reading this and are interested in taking part, do contact me, and I can give you an address to send the work. The only pre- requisite is that it is 6x4inches. (postcard size) with you name hidden on the back.
If anyone out there is organising a similar fundraising show I would love to know – and would be more than happy to contribute a piece. So again, just contact me via this.
So far the plan is to hold the exhibition at Motorcade/Flashparade, which is an exciting emerging gallery in Bristol, run in part by my friend Julie Mccalden who is also on the course. It is a lovely space and has a real buzz about it.
I now have a meeting at Spike Island to discuss the dreaded evaluation document, but also to see the show there which I have heard is very good.
I wanted to write a post about the benefits of using social media as a way to publicize yourself as an artist. I am not particularly gifted when it comes to using computers, but I find social media as a simple and fun (and slightly addictive) way to promote yourself.
I have had a twitter account for almost two years now, but have only really started using it in the last few months. Before that I really didn’t understand it, but I then made the decision to use the site to really only talk about my art, and the ‘art world’ in general. By focusing my ‘tweets’ in this way, I have found it a really useful tool in which to promote not only my own work, but the work of other artists that I find interesting. Follow me (!) @BuffyDismorr
Another social media site I use is Facebook. I spend far too long procrastinating on the site, but I have also found it really useful for my work. I set up a group for the MA class, where we can message each other easily, sharing ideas and posting links and videos. Facebook has also been great for plugging our group shows, by setting up events for them and putting them on our walls.
Lastly – I have found (as seen here!) blogging a great way in which to share and talk about my art. I never really expect many people to read my blogs, but I find it useful nonetheless, nostly as a way to organise my process within my practice.
And – the best thing about using social media is that it is almost always free!
Our MA year are beginning to think about ways to fundraise for the end of year show. I have come up with the idea of having a RCA ‘Secrets’ style exhibition in which to raise money. We would recruit artists to kindly send us postcard sized pieces of work, which people would buy for a set price, not knowing who it was buy until seeing the signature on the back. Julie Mccalden, who is in her 2nd year of the MA, but also helps to run Motorcade/Flashparade gallery in Bristol has said that we could possible hold the event there – which would be amazing!
I think generating publicity for the show (and for this money I feel will be rather vital!) will be integral in getting a buzz around the event. I know the BA Fine Arters have been fundraising for this for months – hence why we need to get a move on!
Exciting news for me – Some images of my work are to be included in the next issue of the Garageland mag, which Transition Gallery in London produces. Very excited about being included in that! The images shown are some being used in the publicated, from my piece ‘The New Girl, I.’ (2011).
