DEGREES UNEDITED

# 7 [17 December 2010]

'I'm Called Hare'

I don't know anything about this.

I don't have anything to do with this,

and I don't want to either!

A series of 12mm float glass animal masks with printed slogans. They are representations of slogan posters that speak of anger and angst we feel about today's society, with emphasis on the narrative content of printed expressions on the surface of the glass. I am using the image of an animal because I think we can hide behind it, we become faceless, having no human features or expressions of human feelings. In the animal world life seems to be more clear-cut, instinct and the need of survival is the animal's first priority and it is not concerned with moral values. Using clear glass it exposes its transparency of dropping our persona which leaves us feeling vulnerable and exposed. I want to confront the audience to take a look at their own behaviour and into the ethics and moral issues we face in society today.

# 6 [7 November 2010]

'A BIG Vibe Affair ' 50 TBAA Artists on show in London

The BIG Art Affair are holding an exciting exhibition 'A BIG Vibe Affair' in conjunction with our Bar sponsors Vibe on the 4th November 2010 at The BIG Art Affair Gallery (above the vibe bar) 91 -95 Brick Lane London E1.

The exhibition runs until the 14th November 11 am - 6.30 pm 7 days a week

The BIG Art Affair aims to provide an innovative and exciting forum for urban contemporary and modern art presenting a diverse range of works for sale by young professional emerging artists right up to some of the UK's most established practitioners.

www.thebigartaffair.com

It was buzzing at the private view night. The organisers did a fantastic job, there was a DJ playing and a nice touch with the Ice Angels who provided a sensational ice-cream service. (www.iceangels.co.uk).

Unfortunately my camera broke down, so I couldn't capture the evening, which is a shame.

Looking forward to the Big Art Affair in May 2011!

# 5 [7 November 2010]

Glass Sale Special

It is time to raise money for our show at New Designers 2011 and so we have a Glass Sale Special on Thursday 11 November in the Quad (UCA Farnham)...

So if you happen to be in town, pop over and get your Xmas gifts in early.

Get you hands on Unique & Handmade jewellery, coasters, Xmas decorations etc for that someone special.

UCA, Falkner Road, Farnham GU9 7DS

Thank you for your support

# 4 [17 October 2010]

Gosh...2 posts today.

Over the summer holidays I have entered many competitions. According to my tutor Colin, it is a really good opportunity to get your name out there...so enter as many competitions as you can...and I did. It will also help you dealing/coping with rejections, acceptance of this and to move forward. See it as an opportunity and experience because even well-known artists had to deal with many rejections before they became 'famous'.

The latest competition was for the National Open Arts Competition Chichester and being shortlisted for it was very exciting. I had to take my work to the Goodwood Racecourse where for the 2nd stage judging took place. (Gavin Turk was one of the judges). Unfortunately, I wasn't selected for the final and exhibition, but I am not that disappointed as I think it was a big achievement anyway to have been shortlisted from 1600 entries as a just emerging artist who is still at uni. So I sent them a 'thank you' note for this opportunity. I think it is very important to send a thank you note to the organisers, firstly to let them know your appreciation and secondly it is good courtesy and they will remember you next time, not that it make a difference of winning a competition though. But I got a lovely email back from them that they look forward to my entry for the next competition. Me too:-)

I am included in the BIG Art Affair - the 'BIG' VIBE Affair exhibtion in London, a warm-up for the BIG Art Affair 2011. The exhibition is from the 4th - 11th Nov...you can find the details under Shows: http://www.a-n.co.uk/degrees_unedited/whatson

So if you feel the VIBE come along...

# 3 [17 October 2010]

It has been a while since my interview with Richard on 'Blogger Profile'. Started my final year and it has been a bit 'mental' so far.

Oh...the joy of writing a dissertation. I have been researching during the summer, only to come to the conclusion that I didn't really like the subject, but having had a few meetings with my dissertation tutor, I came up with a new subject and I am more focussed on which way to go now.

'Political & Social Printmaking: A Clear Cut Message?'

Why don't we see political/social messages in glass art objects? For instance there a many ceramicists who project their messages onto ceramic objects, like Paul Scott and Richard Notkin, to name but a few, have explored the complex political and social impacts of contemporary culture. They present these concerns by visually manipulating and juxtaposing various objects, images and symbols to create narrative sculpural works, which stimulate the viewer to examine their own feelings.

I have approached Prof. Kevin Petrie who wrote 'Glass & Print'. He is a senior lecturer at Sunderland University. I met him at the Just Glass Seminar here in London last week and he was very interested to 'help' me out.

As for my studio work, I have been very busy doing tests to get the kiln-firings right. I have been thinking to combine my practical work with my dissertation. I find it really interesting the more I find out about it and what would be more current now the student is under the firing-line of cuts in Government spending?

Read the bulletin of the Anarchist Federation Student Network:

http://www.afed.org.uk/pdfs/afed_anarchiststudent1.pdf

# 2 [8 August 2010]

Last Thursday (5th August) was the Private View and Award Ceremony of the Signature Art Awards at the DegreeArt.com Gallery at Vynerstreet in East London.

For those who haven't experienced the First Thursdays on Vynerstreet:

On the first Thursday of every month the galleries and museums of East London open their doors late for a chance to see amazing art, culture and events after hours. With over 100 galleries and museums open until 9pm on First Thursdays there will always be something free and exciting to see.

(http://www.firstthursdays.co.uk)

Well...it was very, very busy and the atmosphere was buzzing. There wasn't space enough for all the people to come in. Although the art works of 40 emerging artists were cramped together on the gallery walls, ceiling and floor, people seem to have some sort of spacial awareness and seem to enjoy themselves. It was a diverse mixture of photography, paintings, mixed media and sculptures, but it worked really well and thanks to Joe who helped me setting up my work.

Casually hanging around my work like a-fly-on-the-wall to hear people's reactions was very insightful and the majority really like my work. It is a real treat to see how other people you don't know respond to your work, it made me feel more confident about my work as feedback from people you know might not be objective enough to give useful comments.

At 7pm was the announcement of the winners from the 4 categories. I didn't win the Award, but I didn't feel dissapointed either, the evening was a great success, it was a wonderful experience and I enjoyed the attention.

I ended up in the pub, or actually outside the pub as the weather was nice, with my friends and enjoyed the rest of the evening feeling like a 'proper artist', or was that the Jack Daniels?

# 1 [24 July 2010]

I went to an AIR-event on Thursday at SPACE in London. I didn't know what to expect but I have found it very informative. Due to the nice weather it was outside in the courtyard and there were tables scattered around with each table an topic (i.e. NAN networking, DACS copyright, studios, professional development, blogging etc). You could join each table and after about 20min someone blew a whistle to join another table. It felt like speed-dating (although I've never been to a speed-dating event). The 'Blogging' table was really interesting as I wanted to start a blog, but didn't know where to start and what to write about. As I am a student they showed me 'Degrees Unedited' and how blogging could help me progress and boost my confidence to write about my work and life as a student

I am now some weeks away of starting my final year and I need to focus on the things that lie ahead of me. So far I have been busy researching for my new project and the 'long-dreaded' dissertation. I have entered a couple of competitions and in July I've got an email saying that I am in the finale of the Signature Art Awards and will be exhibiting my work in August at the DegreeArt.com Gallery in London. I am really excited and enjoy doing the preparation for the show, so if you are out & about in London, you are very welcome!