FeedbackCommissions
Shauna Richardson
[enlarge]
'Shauna Richardson at work'. Photo: Nick Hand
[enlarge]
'Shauna Richardson being interviewed'. Photo: Nick Hand
How do artists go about delivering a very large commission to deadline? Emily Speed interviewed Shauna Richardson about her Artist Taking the Lead Commission: The Lionheart Project.
Emily Speed: I guess I am really interested in the scale of these commissions and how it is sometimes difficult for artists to even imagine applying for things with such a large budget.
Shauna Richardson: When I heard about Artists Taking the Lead I took some persuading to apply. The big budget was at first intimidating and then liberating - positive that I wouldn't be successful I really had nothing to lose. The application process was simple, all that was required was concept, something I thoroughly enjoy.
I was crazily happy when told Lionheart Project had been shortlisted and flattered to be among strong artists and ideas. Once shortlisted things became serious very quickly and preparations for the final presentation began immediately. Fanciful ideas must now become concrete plans with logistics and budgeting in place, all of this was new to me and it was necessary to think creatively and on my feet. I was absolutely delighted and astonished to win.
ES: Has it been a big shift for you to be working on a large-scale, two-year project like this?
SR: Although I am used to setting myself crochet projects lasting several months, I had no way of predicting how I would react to a two year epic. There are a couple things I do to protect myself psychologically and keep motivated. Although it would have been sensible to create all three lion forms at once, I had them made and delivered one at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed in the studio. And, occasionally friends ask to do one or two stitches, I don't feel great saying no but try to explain that it would be like completing a marathon knowing youʼd taken a lift part of the way.
Happily I find that I can indeed work on one piece for two years and maintain a moderately healthy mind. There is of course a lot more involved in the project than crochet and I am developing new skills all the time. Areas include tour management, talking to the media, structural engineering, the law, budget management, public participation, politics, and the life cycle of moths. It is a challenge, not only because I am not from the world of councils and big budgets and have no contacts or advisors, but also because to complete a crochet project of this length it is necessary to zone everything out and sustain a state of mind driven by rhythm and process.
ES: What kind of impact do you think the commission has had and/or will have on your practice?
SR: We find ourselves in difficult times and I don't really know if this project will lead to a brighter future for Crochetdermy, I can only hope it will. Whatever happens, I have been extremely fortunate. This has been a period of immense growth and learning, the experience has made me pretty fearless and ready to take on just about anything.
www.shaunarichardson.com
www.lionheartproject.com
www.artscouncil.org.uk/our-work/artists-taking-lead-east-midlands
First published: a-n.co.uk June 2011
Post your comment
No one has commented on this article yet, why not be the first?
To post a comment you need to login
© the artist(s), writer(s), photographer(s) and a-n The Artists Information Company
All rights reserved.
Artists who are current subscribers to a-n may download or print this text for the limited purpose of use in their business or professional practice as artists.
Parts of this text may be reproduced either in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 (updated) or with written permission of the publishers.
Back to top