Status
Its evident from the discussion between Branden and myself that the Artist and Residency role and what it should bring needs clarity. Branden came up with some good ideas that it should be about inspiring students which is leading me to re-plan what form Enterprise workshops could take. Contractually I have been asked to delivery a set number of seminars but in reality and quite rightly greater consideration is needed to ensure that these are pitched perfectly for the diverse type of students/next step directions. I was also asked to share technique. Having observed students I do think some of the workshops that I can deliver would be of enormous benefit I am respectful that in fact this creates a conflict amidst teacher roles and there seems a block.
Enterprise Focus
From an enterprise point of view it is vital that student interest, full skill sets and talents are drawn out. Its vital that students can see the potential of where their talents might go. If these haven’t been picked up and nurtured by a teacher this immediately creates a conflict. In chatting about the projects that students were working on I picked up that several students hadn’t quite made sense or applied their full interests. The full scope of the most talented student on Level 2 UAL Diploma Art quite clearly hadn’t been picked up on: a student with both incredible writing and illustration skills whose talents undoubtedly point towards book illustration. Another student clearly showed an interest in Lino cut printing and was working on a poster as a final major piece, yet this student had painted on their face mask and dress that they were wearing: textile printing seemed the obvious meeting point but perhaps this hadn’t been identified or drawn out. I’m particularly skilled at seeing where talents might go having straddled a lot of disciplines myself: illustration, animation, fashion design interests, painting, sculpture, book development… Identifying interests and recognising skills and potential ways these could lead comes from observing students and gently chatting. It doesn’t take long to build a profile and to know how best that student could be supported whilst at the college. It is likely to enhance career guidance (if students themselves then realise their potential and can articulate that). It potentially influences outcomes beyond Broadstairs: a clearer vision can impact on study choice or career or either leisure aspirations which in turn transform into a career at a later point.
Space
At present I’ve been allocated desk space in the main teaching room. I’m a painter first and foremost but oils aren’t permitted at the college. My secondary medium is mixed media acrylics but I work large scale and on about 7-8 paintings at once (I load the brush with one colour and it does the rounds). I’ve been working on the design of prototype sculptures and also planning a promotional art booklet. My own fine art is quite high brow (in part I’m prepping material to potentially take a part-time Master’s degree but I’m also working towards a solo show which needs to stand up in Margate amidst a fairly tough art scene which is often steered by academics in the field. Careful thought needs to go into what I can bring to each session in the College. I often need to pull different materials out of storage because I am working across multiple platforms and infact its easier working at home. Its also quite difficult to go from my Fine Art Brain to Enterprise brain. I see them as separate. Its only when I zoom back to my overall goal that I can see that link as amplified. I think the stronger enterprise message comes from understanding my total plan and how I go about trying to achieve it. My overall art journey shows that transition from working for corporation to working for self and towards more ethical aspirations. Many of the skills that I apply to my own marketing and communication were learnt through long-winded study or through corporations.
From my own point of view an artist in residence would work best if the focus is on the pitch aspect of what I do and driving projects forward. Ideally its a small, secure glass window room or space where material could be set up.Aan environment that I can go into rather than necessarily work in. I want to be able to communicate clearly what it is that I am trying to achieve: this feeds into better presentation material which can then be presented to students. I sort of have a vision that the college could be a community that helps bring about support but in return I am really able to inject a lot.
Here are some of the problems I am currently trying to solve or realisations:
- I’m trying to re-start Go Create without premises!!
- I’m trying to get Go Create into a format that is manageable (I’m making progress on that and my new site will be launched in the next couple of weeks
- The last few weeks at the college has made me aware that aspects of what I do are easier to work on at home and that my fine art work can potentially be confusing when thrown into the mix
- There’s a better synergy with trying to push forward character property material and potential to offer work experience. I have professional project management experience and there are often things that need better photography or designed which might support with publishing opportunities. I’ll attach an example later. ESSENTIALLY I AM A CONCEPT ARTIST AND SOMETIMES MY TECHNICAL DETAIL IS WEAK AS MY PRIMARY PRACTICE IS OIL PAINTING
- Marketing and communication aspects of my practice have a closer synergy to Enterprise and this is potentially why I think a space where I build to better convey ideas and not necessarily a space that I work in would work better
- Sometimes I need to be at a desk on my computer and sometimes working on the art side
Bigger picture
In talking to Nick Holbrook-Sutcliffe, he said he would potentially be interested in whether a similar project could later be rolled out in some other places and in other faculties such as sport…It was clear from discussion is that the interest is in ‘Creativity’ which supports success in practically every discipline. The subject of creativity was of great interest to me when I embarked on an MA in Art, Design & Craft. The interest is in how we teach creativity.
Prioritising
In many respects I think the priority should be a focus on giving shape to the Enterprise Program and the form the artist in residence takes should reflect that role.
This week I have found it difficult to give the two roles focus. I worked on developing ideas and this page on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to try and give it some shape and haven’t spent time in the college yet. In fact my head is caught up with getting enough shape on this side of things, I won’t be ready to focus back on my art until it is done, yet I’m contracted to be at my desk to work on art. From a contract point of view any presentations that I work on can be used by the college and yet in effect I’m working on them outside of those hours. I think it would be useful to almost re-define the contract and agree if we make some changes at this point.