Now at the last day of my residency it is easy to say time flies but I think that is an indication of activity – when you have no set task or having almost nothing to do, time can appear to pass slowly.
Not feeling as if I have lacked time, I do still think had I had clearer objectives, I would have been a bit more productive but I have a good body of new work and renewed focus which are achievements enough.
Being in a place for a short period of time has sometimes put me off creating more ambitious work or has made me feel unable to work in some of the ways I am used to – this is something to address as if these isues don’t get resolved, these oportunities could be wasted.
On reflection, the next time I apply for such a residency, it will have a clearer purpose and focus using the place and space to best advantage – making work which is suitable and apt for a particular place or environment. If I want to do something engaging the community it should be planned, to have greater effect. And to remember ambitious projects can work if the preperation is good.
We had a really successful “Open House” with work exhibited and our colaborative project Please Wait to be Seated which had participants taking part in a walk – through portrait factory complete with menu. More on this here: www.stuff-cat.blogspot.co.uk
I have been fortunate to have been here with like minded hard working people. We were able to collaborate not just in the living space but as an artist collective group, although our practices are quite diverse.
Sometimes it’s not ust about the place but the people, and I can say I have learned something from each and every one of them which itself has made the residency experience even more fulfilling.
Hopefully I can use this experience to continue the progression in my practice – I want to find the right opportunity to apply for next, which will be appropriate for my practice.
For now, I will return to Scotland and work on developing the material I have from my time in Iceland. I also have to address the other pressing factor in the equation – money.
It won’t come as a surprise that as an artist I am short of it. I was lucky to have some funding for this trip so one month away was made posible. However, a permanent flexible solution must be found to balance the time I have.
Currently I don’t have a sudio which will of course directly effect my work and the part-time job I have is only one day a week. So, next step – achieving a balance with the best use of my time.
