My three years studying at Slade has come to an end, but I'm trying to stay positive and open to all the possibilities that could come my way!
The Slade BA/BFA Degree Show has ended, my artwork is wrapped up and put into storage, and I shall leave the Slade, ending a huge life-chapter of education.
The show was a success, we had quite a few visitors, and I had a little interest from people about my work. I was also given my degree grade - I have been awarded a 2:1! I'm happy and I've worked hard. We all have, I think this year's show looked great! (CLICK HERE for installation images)
My graduation ceremony is at the start of September, so I have a long wait around before I've officially ended my time at UCL as a student. But the looming question mark hangs above me regarding my 'next move' career-wise.
It's the most asked question by my friends and family - 'So what are you doing next?' and it sends chills down my spine and a stab of panic to my heart every time I'm asked, because honestly? I don't have a clue. My need to make art works and my need for an income have presented me with the issue that so many artists face - how do I earn a living and maintain an art practice? Sadly, the romantic notion of working a part-time job and making/selling paintings in a studio on the side is just not the reality. Yet despite the apparent impossibility of earning enough to cover the costs of London living and paying for art materials, I still have my heart set on living and working for my contemporary art practice.
What then, are my options?
I'm not going onto an MA course this year, (the costs are just too high and my portfolio wasn't at its strongest back at Christmas when applications were due) I may reapply this Christmas but we shall have to wait and see. What do I do in the meantime? My financial status rules out the option of renting a studio space and continuing to make art, so I shall be turning to residency applications and opportunities to exhibit, as well as entering competitions.
However, none of this really helps my bank funds climb any higher - unless there are buyers who like my stuff. In order to keep high and dry (and fed) I'm going to have to get myself either a full-time, or several part-time job(s). Great plan. Except, having a degree in fine art doesn't exactly leave you with a direct set of options on the job-hunting front. Luckily my previous and current employment has left me with a great skill base in terms of customer service, but this still doesn't make the hours trawling through job sites and filling out online applications any easier or any more successful.
I understand the pro's of being in my situation; one door closes and another opens, the world is my oyster, everything happens for a reason blah blah blah so on and so forth. I am indeed open to any opportunity that may come my way, the trouble is, something rarely just happens to come your way, life isn't really as poetic as that in reality. You have to search and work damn hard to get opportunities.
Realising everything that I'm up against is scary, and disheartening, which makes it difficult to get excited about the future and what it will bring. Nevertheless I will slowly pick my way through life, learn stuff, have new experiences, and try my hardest to keep making art along the way.
I think being an artist isn't a profession, it's a lifestyle.
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