One thing I miss most about being back at university is being surrounded by other artists both in the studios and in class. Within my studio space we would often help one another, discuss each other’s work, help us get over creative blocks as well as share artists we had found. This studio community was really encouraging, creating whilst having others around you creating would always give me a push to work. I wouldn’t want to be the only one not working in the room. In comparison to this environment, working at home in my mum’s old studio space has been incredibly isolating. This has brought both pros and cons.
I’ve been able to focus entirely on myself and my personal process, I’ve been able to sit back in silence and contemplate my art. Whereas in the past I would have contemplated it alone but then asked my peers in the shared studio to help give me some food for thought. Having my personal studio has also been good because I’ve been able to not worry about invading people’s spaces or intruding on their individual art practices and vice versa.
I am lucky enough the have parents who are both artists; during lockdown they have been able to help recreate this group critique. We are able to talk honestly about our work with one another as well as give feedback. On top of this my tutors at university have been keeping in contact with me via one-one video chats, continuing to push me further and find something new within myself and my art.
Social media has also played a big part of my lockdown experience as an artist, keeping connected with other artists has been key in staying within the loop. It has been so lovely to see other artists creations and then be able to message them instantly to ask them about their process. Quite a few artists have also been tagging other artists in their Instagram stories, spreading and supporting each other during this odd time. Social media for me, has become a big part of my personal practice, I’ve been able to discover other artists similar to me, all in different stages of their career as well as follow galleries and artist run spaces which has enabled me to be noticed by others.
I have only recently begun writing blog posts this year and was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be an assignment for my 2nd year art practice. I will definitely continue to write blog posts as well as read other artist’s blogs. I think they are a great way to connect with other artists as well as get an insight into different processes.
As an artist, I am beginning to learn how important it is to be connected to the wider world of art surrounding me, being clued up on artists both old and new is so important for my practice in order to learn and grow.
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