BODIES (of work) ARE FUNNY THINGS
Having a fractured ankle is forcing me to use muscles I must rarely use. It’s a daily workout physically and mentally, finding strategies for moving, carrying and achieving. And letting go of stuff I can’t reach and can do without; a good metaphor for margins and risk.
Thinking back to how I come to be here in this space, I realise where the seed for this review bursary was planted. Some time ago I was having a conversation with Pam Butler Arts Officer (Development, Education & Community), Chesterfield Borough Council about my visibility or lack of. She suggested that as I have a considerable body of work but am not well known outside the East Midlands, why didn’t I apply for some funding to address this. I began researching some avenues, when up popped a-n Re:view bursaries and here I am. So thanks Pam for encouraging me.
This review has legs, I have legs; we are both are now moving in a different time space continuum.
OUTWARD LOOKING
Well, I started on my Re:view road trip, and then jarringly ground to a halt last Tuesday. Clambering over a pile of stuff in my studio, I hurtled through space, heard a loud crack and just knew I had broken something. And here I am moving at a snail’s pace with a moon boot and 2 crutches to negotiate the world. I will have upper body strength like a body builder before much more reaching, stretching, heaving, hopping, levering.
Time and space have a whole new meaning so inevitably the margins are in different places. The near becomes far and the far is non-existent.
Fortunately, the day before I fractured my ankle, I had met with my first Re:view peer mentors, John and Nicola from Beacon Art Project. Lots to reflect on, lots to action, lots to process.
Great news, I have been awarded a Review bursary!
Each month between July 2013 and January 2014, I will travel to meet one of the 7 creative professionals for a half day critiique/advice about my work as an artist, in particular how to increase my visibility nationally. My travels will take me to Glasgow, Newcastle, Lincolnshire, Birmingham, London and Bristol. It’s another step in my investigation of the margins and taking risks. Thank you a-n.
Watch this space…
4 months at a distant egde and now I am back. Family illness and trauma has taken its toll but I’m here again…they were murky margins to be in.
Pondering on the next step; not backwards. My expectations are different now. Sophie and I have at last found a starting point for our collaborative piece. It has changed its name yet again but that’s the thing with works in progresss…marginally different.
Trying to cut out excess…margins for error?
Having the confidence to be open rather than drive all the time. Pausing has given me the chance to spot new openings…road margins team with life that is invisible at 70mph.
New conversations with unexpected outcomes…the marginalised are speaking.
I’ve just spent 10 minutes composing a blog and it vanished into thin air. Gone to the margins I guess.
Here goes again. Wonder if I’ll say the same things. I was talking about physical margins. I stacked 4 cubic meteres of wood to keep me warm in the winter and my son ran 8 miles to trian for a 16k race. Why do we do it? Maybe it’s mental margins too? Some scientists think we make our decisions subconsciously before we are aware of them.
And I have been getting intriguing calls about edgy stuff- studio gatherings and engaged crits. Maybe the margins aren’t so empty after all.
