Course Contexts

“Your art has future”

Lecture

In this really inspiring lecture, I was all ears. I left the lecture buzzing with confidence and excitement. The entire lecture was useful, giving artists motivation and advice on their art.

The talk was divided into four key parts:

Valuing your art
Valuing you
Valuing others
Tools for building for building value

The part that resonated the most with me is how to value your work. The lecturer mentioned “As an artist you are unique, no one makes the unique objects that you do, the way that you do it”.

Hearing that really made me realize that every artist is unique. No two artists are exactly the same, just like no two humans are the entirely the same. Another thing the lecturer mentioned that really stuck with me is that when being asked how long does it take you to make your art, always answer “my entire lifetime”. As an artist you are your life’s work. It took you your entire life to be able to create your artwork.

Another part that resonated was valuing others. The lecturer emphasized the importance of collaboration and how necessary it is for artists. He also gave practical advice on how to approach curators—stressing the importance of researching them beforehand and building genuine connections.

Finally, the lecture provided numerous tools and resources, including advice on funding your art and websites to find opportunities.

Group critique

Larry

During this term, we had many group critiques. However, one stood out the most with the artist Larry Amponsah and my classmates.

It was incredibly inspiring and motivating to see my classmates artworks witness their progress, and engage in discussions about their ideas as they evolved.

The critique also provided valuable feedback, which I took to heart and applied to my practice. After seeing and discussing my art, Larry specifically recommended to observe kids and watch the way they play and take things less seriously. He encouraged me to take inspiration by how kids do not take things seriously and approach the world with curiosity. Larry also shared a quote that deeply resonated with me:“Everyone has been a child, but not everyone has been an elder.” This idea stayed with me throughout the semester and helped me realize how universally relatable the themes in my art are. After all, everyone has experienced childhood.

After this critique, I really did visit several parks and observe how kids play and have fun. Watching children making up imaginary games and approach life with light heartedness inspired me to approach my art the same way. It encouraged me to let more loose and go out of the box more, just like kids.

Practice based research methods

Jonathan kearny

This lecture deeply resonated with me and I continue to apply its lessons in my day to day life. First Jonathan explained what action research means. He explained that it is research aimed into practice and that it is to change and improve.He emphasized that it not about problem solving but rather about raising problems and questions. He broke it down into four key characteristics:

1. Cyclical

Which is plan —>act—> observe—> reflect

2. Collaborative

With other people

Engaging with different materials

3. Qualitative

Focusing on words, feelings, and emotions

4. Reflective

Then Jonathan defined reflection as “not what you have done, but who you are when you are doing it”. This definition tries to encapsulate change. He also shared with us an important exercise on how to capture everything you do for documentation: to always ask what, how, where, and when in order to capture your process effectively.

One point he mentioned that really stood out to me is how feelings and emotions are vital components of research. He noted that even scribbles can capture emotions more than words do. Jonathan also explained what research on action is, which is thinking and reflecting after the event is done, and in action reflection is thinking while doing. He described professional artistry as “reflection in action”, highlighting that is it an intuitive practice rather than following protocols.

Moreover, he stressed on how powerful it is to share your reflections. In the end, he posed two thought provoking questions to guide our research and personal growth:

1. What do you make?

2. How do you want change and improve this year?