|
|
What was your pathway after school / A level?
In the run-up to my final year A-levels I was studying both Art and Photography and knew that my path to university would be through an art-based course. I applied through UCAS for BA (Hons) Photography at four different universities that offered a similar 3 year course on each.
I accepted Nottingham Trent University after receiving an unconditional offer and once I'd been to the open day. This helped me understand what course facilities were on offer for me and meant that I could also get a good feel for the entire campus.
Do you feel that studying photography at school was a good preparation for these next stages?
Certainly! Everything from my UCAS application to my personal development relied on my AS/A level in photography to prepare me for my choices ahead. I learned to understand the theory and visual techniques behind the work that I made. It also taught me to work independently, and to use my initiative when establishing ideas through various influences and inspirations. Above all it gave me experience. This was important because it built my confidence and knowledge in this chosen subject.
What key moments - lessons or experiences, within or beyond education - do you consider most significant in your creative development?
I believe that my studies taught me a great deal about self discipline and time management. These are crucial in life, and are an asset that I will always be thankful for!
A particular favourite moment of mine would have to be my degree show. It contained a mixture of emotions - stress, relief, excitement and anticipation. I believed in the work that I had made and had worked hard to use all of the elements that I had learned - from photography A level to my three years at university - and I felt great satisfaction in having worked hard and I could fully begin to appreciate it.
Do you have any advice to students that might aspire to follow a similar pathway?
My advice is to tap into every creative bone in your body, and make work! The more work you make, the more you begin to understand about your place in the world - as a person, as a student and as an artist!
Which artists/photographers inspire you the most? Why?
One artist that had a significant influence on my work was Bill Jacobson.
His work visually challenges the perception of clarity. It creates an element of uncertainty, offering the viewer an experience within a world we think we know all too well.
I found that my work developed and was heavily inspired by the work going on around me. In regular tutorials, meetings and assessments I would see the progression of my peers, which then only encouraged me to explore, create and make more work.
In the run-up to my final year A-levels I was studying both Art and Photography and knew that my path to university would be through an art-based course. I applied through UCAS for BA (Hons) Photography at four different universities that offered a similar 3 year course on each.
I accepted Nottingham Trent University after receiving an unconditional offer and once I'd been to the open day. This helped me understand what course facilities were on offer for me and meant that I could also get a good feel for the entire campus.
Do you feel that studying photography at school was a good preparation for these next stages?
Certainly! Everything from my UCAS application to my personal development relied on my AS/A level in photography to prepare me for my choices ahead. I learned to understand the theory and visual techniques behind the work that I made. It also taught me to work independently, and to use my initiative when establishing ideas through various influences and inspirations. Above all it gave me experience. This was important because it built my confidence and knowledge in this chosen subject.
What key moments - lessons or experiences, within or beyond education - do you consider most significant in your creative development?
I believe that my studies taught me a great deal about self discipline and time management. These are crucial in life, and are an asset that I will always be thankful for!
A particular favourite moment of mine would have to be my degree show. It contained a mixture of emotions - stress, relief, excitement and anticipation. I believed in the work that I had made and had worked hard to use all of the elements that I had learned - from photography A level to my three years at university - and I felt great satisfaction in having worked hard and I could fully begin to appreciate it.
Do you have any advice to students that might aspire to follow a similar pathway?
My advice is to tap into every creative bone in your body, and make work! The more work you make, the more you begin to understand about your place in the world - as a person, as a student and as an artist!
Which artists/photographers inspire you the most? Why?
One artist that had a significant influence on my work was Bill Jacobson.
His work visually challenges the perception of clarity. It creates an element of uncertainty, offering the viewer an experience within a world we think we know all too well.
I found that my work developed and was heavily inspired by the work going on around me. In regular tutorials, meetings and assessments I would see the progression of my peers, which then only encouraged me to explore, create and make more work.