LAU Student Profile

I had the opportunity to answer questions and have some images of my work featured on the university website. It was nice to be considered, and it allowed me to refelect on my practice as well as my time here at LAU. It was my first ever celebrity interview, and it was interesting having to think of myself as a student, soon-to-be alumni, and a professional of sorts.

The completed profile can be found here. These are my answers...

Why did you choose Leeds Arts University?

Having never visited Leeds before, I chose Leeds Arts University mainly because of the course. The focus on the studio environment, the smaller intake of students as well as it being the only specialist arts university in the North were all deciding factors.

What made you select BA (Hons) Illustration?

At previous levels of study I had to take either graphics or fine art, whereas illustration bridges the gap between design and art. Illustration encompasses an interesting mix of autonomous, personal projects and industry-based, external work. It was the open-ended nature of the course with a focus on exploratory image-making that appealed to me.

What do you really enjoy about your course and the University?

The small community feeling is definitely something unique to Leeds Arts University that I enjoy. I have friends who have studied academic courses, and they can attend lectures with up to 300 other students and not get that contact time with tutors or even get to know their peers. Apart from that, the facilities (from printmaking to computer software) are accessible and there to get the most out of, and the staff and technicians are always willing to help and encourage you.

What do you plan to do after university?

I wish to continue my artistic practice, seeking out opportunities for residencies, creative schemes and exhibitions. Working alongside an arts organisation as well as exploring the potential of curation, exhibitions as well as small scale publishing for myself are long-term goals that I want to work towards. I want to create and maintain artistic networks and connections, and hopefully set something up outside of London!

What makes Leeds a good place to study?

Leeds has a really good arts scene with events, venues, and exhibitions cropping up all of the time. There always seems to be new things happening which not only makes it an exciting place to live but to get involved with creatively, especially as someone with an interest in the arts.

Presentation Prep

Where do you see yourself now as an illustrator?

• Developed an interest in independent publications/zines/self-publishing as well as exhibitions.
• Tone is surreal, humorous, non-linear, insular but open to people to if they want, research driven at times.
• Illustrator, leaning to artist at times. Experimental in aesthetic and approach.

Do people know you are here?



Where are you directing them to see your work?

Instagram, website, tumblr (used as a sketchbook/archive), print fairs, events, exhibitions

Are you getting any feedback?

• People have reached out for zine trades, circulating small self-made publications
• Accepted into live briefs, open submissions
• Accepted application to print fairs
• Opportunities to participate as well as setup exhibitions

You have had 3 years to develop your talent so far, what do you feel you have achieved?

• Practical skills - Print making, publication making, new ways of working, mixed media and combining/experimenting with media, digital skills

• Outlook - Confidence in non-representational work, being comfortable with enjoying the type of work that I appreciate (for myself and others), realising that there are commercial niches for the type of visual art/illustration I am interested in without it having to be dilluted to suit a certain market, audience, etc.

How do you see this; achievement, slog or useful?

An achievement that has taken a lot of hard work. Not only has it developed the obvious things like knowledge of skills, or knowledge of creative industry, but also moulded my values and views on illustration as well as what's meaningful and important to me in terms of art.

What will your final PPP Presentation contain and why is it important?

• Image-based - visually interesting for viewers, not relying on scripts and text

• Tone - tone of voice that is true to me. humour, personal, my work and external factors that have influenced and impacted my output

• Physical object - thinking about making a pamphlet or some sort of physical object for those in the audience. Adds another dimension, a souvenir, something funny and tactile.

• Moving image - worth considering, as it would break up a usually static presentation

Why do you need to present yourself?

It's important to consolidate everything, and see it clearly for myself. So I can make sense of what I'm doing and why.

Can you see this presentation having any other uses?

• Practice for future pitches and presentations, which need you to discuss work and intentions confidently.

• Content will have been thought about if not written down, could use for website bio, articles, blog posts, etc.


Feedback

• Interests in publications and curating - professional, taking control

• Active in print fairs - participating

• Brontleroy - existing in the physical realm

• Confidence - not worrying, there are commercial niches. There's a place for this.

• Ideas for presentation - sat at desk demo-ing? process, cutting and collaging, live art for the audience while presentation runs in background. Unfiltered pamphlets, take away for audience members.

BALTIC Gateshead | Pester & Rossi

Infinity Pitch by Pester and Rossi [link]

This exhibition was also on during the visit, by collaborating artists Ruby Pester and Nadia Rossi. It was an installation, art exhibition, and collaborative workshop all in one.

Visitors were encouraged to get involved and cover the space in artwork using the provided materials, coloured tapes, scissors, paper, and stickers.

The result by the end of the three weeks was a room filled with 'murals' made by everyone that visited, children and adults alike.

Similarly with the Sofia Stevi exhibition, the chance to become involved with the artwork and the space is exciting as galleries are usually very distant and sterile spaces.

I've started to develop an interest in exhibitions and the potential of art shows. An artist that is both a maker and curator is an interesting cross-over of roles to me, and this occurs when exhibitions are set up and this level of creative freedom is allowed. It's a sort of editing process, which also ties in with my interest in publications too.

My small contribution pictured on the BALTIC website ☆

BALTIC Gateshead | Sofia Stevi

turning forty winks into a decade by Sofia Stevi [link]

While I was home for Easter I visited the BALTIC and saw this exhibition by artist Sofia Stevi. It was of interest to me because not only did it fit with traditional ideas of fine art / art in a gallery setting, there was also an illustrative feeling to her paintings which I hadn't seen before in somewhere like this.

Her exhibition included canvas paintings, paintings on cotton sheets, as well as a room dedicated to her own 'artist books' made of cuttings of these sheets, sewn by hand. They were displayed on a large table with gloves for visitors to sit and read them.

This participatory element set this show apart from others I have seen at this gallery. People could sit and get involved with the work aside from just looking at it on a wall.

It also fitted with my interest in publications and artist books. These books became artworks in their own right. 

The work resonated with me because of its diy ethos (she painted on cotton sheets because it was cheaper and easier to get a hold of than canvas) and the experimental approach that she seemed to take on.