Professional Practice and Placement: Module Introduction - W1

 

Before starting this course, I was a BA Concept Art student for one year. My interests have always centred around being creative, but it was only after that year of being a concept art student did I realise, I want to be the one to oversee what I create. It does not often cross my mind to think about life after university, although I believe I want to further explore the development of my art practice through a master’s degree in Fine Art. I want to do a master’s degree because I enjoy being in education and I love the process of researching and furthering my knowledge which comes easier using university resources. The next logical steps after that seem to be that I should become an exhibiting artist, working with Galleries, however I am hesitant to say definitively as I am prone to changing my mind impulsively and I have never experienced any other type of artistic venture. I’m open to exploring multiple types of being a working artist and I don’t want to limit my potential by putting myself into a box.

For this reason, I have decided that during this module I want to explore another type of art venture that doesn’t involve exhibiting in a Gallery. At the beginning of this year, I participated in a university lead Zine Workshop which ignited my interest in zines and publication. The zine was centred around self-image and reflection. I really enjoyed the process of collaborating with other artists and learning about how a risograph machine works.

At this time, I believe that either working with a gallery to exhibit or making my own Zine would suit me and what skills I want to develop the most. I am more interested in the making a zine more however, as I believe it would be the perfect opportunity to push myself and focus on production and developing the skills needed to manage a project. My main concerns at this moment are that I am not sure how I would publish it and how I would deliver a zine to an audience. Moreover, as we are in a pandemic there is the risk that I would not be able to make the zine at all as my access to a risograph machine may be restricted.

During this module I am most nervous about being responsible for a project. Most projects I have done have involved working with a group of people so I think it would be beneficial to start going outside of my comfort zone by doing a ‘solo’ project. I am excited to gain valuable experience which will help inform my future career as an artist.

Who Am I? - Page 1 of my Zine for the @ZineSaffs Workshop

Unapologetic - Page 2 of my Zine for the @ZineSaffs Workshop