Monday, 27 October 2014

Tutorial Report 37

Date: 27th October 2014                              Tutor: Caroline Wright
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Reflection on outcomes since last tutorial

This tutorial was about my Professional Practice Plan, Artist CV and also any dyslexia issues for assessment. Tracking the progress between the start of the MA and now at the point of leaving is recently different, as beyond the MA there will be new thoughts – I'm looking forward to all the projects to start up and follow through – I've really equipped myself with possibilities. My CV has been a bit stuffed with everything, and my artist CV too scattered – great point about leaving some space for new possibilities – at the moment it looks like I have no time and commitment for exhibitions, as it is not necessarily clear that all those roles and jobs I have built up can be dropped for flexibility. I don’t think I really knew what an artist CV should contain, and what it should omit.

After the tutorial I edited several one page CVs for various roles – artist, tutor, mentor, curator, workshop, notetaker, reviewer – I'm really happy to clarify them, and I think they make much more sense to a reader, and also to myself. Also wrote a research CV which I can build upon after recent intriguing ventures into the world of research possibilities.

Notes to self: The CV should show progression and build upon experiences to higher grade, higher quality roles. Too much on a CV can undermine the point – summarise, consolidate. Some things trump others, so don’t need to add everything. Highlight. Direct.
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Current projected aims and outcomes

I'm glad I mentioned to CW about another exhibition I was a bit torn about being involved in. The truth is I have felt I do not have the luxury of being selective – it’s either show work or not. CW just pointed out the questions I should ask of the organisers – they have been asking more and more of the artists, with too many unknown variables. I had a good phone call with them later, and it went well to ask some of those questions, from the point of view of actually being a professional artist and not someone too keen to throw my work away. The truth is that compromise is not always a bad work – it is negotiation, but the crunch issue to me that CW pointed out was that I could not be sure there would be an appropriate setting and context to my work. I felt I left it on very good terms with the organisers with a not so jokey idea about a paid commission at some point.

Very apposite that this issue should emerge just at this point, to give me a focus for reassessing my plans and strategies for exhibiting opportunities, and preparing what to question and what to ask for. Notes to self: Fee for work, for exhibition, who are the other artists, who will be invited, who can I invite, what is the context, will the work be shown in appropriate ways, etc.

CW suggested targeting certain opportunities and building up having the choices and selection. It’s true, I really could set up an exhibition and screening, perhaps apply for funding. This time I know how to invite the appropriate people and to follow through, unlike in my exhibition Viewer after my degree in 2007. Again, it’s about building up to higher, better quality, more selective – if at all possible.
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Discussion and recommendations

For assessment, I will basically follow the same model of previous years, including the folder of backup material – for me it’s a good way of collecting thoughts and making it coherent. I have seen MA shows where a couple of people have produced a printed book of their project – I always hoped if there was time I would do that – I certainly have the material and it would be appropriate to my practice – there’s still time, after more imperative issues have been dealt with. CW also cautioned about quality of said publications, and to employ what every graphic design skills or contacts I may have. Time will tell.

Remember to send the film file to CW as well as the assessment email to check.
The PPP page of assessment – condense to a series of aims, like an exit strategy from the MA towards the next couple of years. Perhaps add some key dates for a sense of a timed journey.

Reflection

Such a useful tutorial for me – sometimes you have to go through a few years to have a very valuable CV day. I have three weeks to get everything together now before I go to set up in Sheffield. I'm pretty sure I know what to do and what’s involved, and so now all I have to do it keep going, organise and prioritise tasks.

27th October 2014

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Thinker of thoughts, mother of adults Shadows Echoes Stories Dyslexia London Scotland Drawing Sewing Research Tutor Mentor Books Trees Clouds Quartz Magnets. I review and write about art and culture.

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