Student Spotlight: Contemporary Art Practice

Monday,18 April 2016 in  Courses, Students

 

"It’s exciting, it’s stimulating, it’s challenging, it gets under your skin, you think about it all the time, it explores lots and lots of new ideas"

This week's Student Spotlight features Contemporary Art Practice student Jude Nixon.

 

Why did you choose Leith School of Art and its Contemporary Art Practice Course?

I’d already done two courses at Leith before this year. I originally came to the School because I’d heard that it was first-class teaching. It was the standard of teaching that attracted me, which is quite unusual in art schools.  Very often in art schools you are not taught directly and you are left to develop your own ideas. However, at Leith there’s quite a structured programme of teaching which can be very challenging, but it’s brilliant over all.

What is so special about this Course?

I don’t know where to begin. It’s exciting, it’s stimulating, it’s challenging, it gets under your skin, you think about it all the time, it explores lots and lots of new ideas. I think one of the things that brings all that together, is the lectures that Lisa, our tutor, gives at the beginning and throughout the project. It introduces you to new artists, people I’ve never heard of before and completely different ideas. It transforms the way I look at things.

What is your best moment or memory of the Course so far?

I think each course offers something different. It depends on what stage you are at, where your practice is going and what you want to do. I don’t think one course offers better moments than another. It’s a process of learning, it’s really being stimulated to explore and I think that it comes from really good teaching.

What is your favourite project so far?

The Wood project, which I’m loving because it’s working with my hands, it’s very tactile. We are doing this for two weeks. Before that we were doing a video project, which was completely outside of my comfort zone but I ended up loving it. The topic I did the video on has led into this wood project, so lots of things are related in my work.

How did the course help you to develop as an artist?

The course has made me question what I am doing, why I am doing it and which direction I can take my work. Moreover, it has also made me think if my work can be expanded and enriched.  It’s very much about encouraging and helping the individual to move forward in their work. It’s about trying new frontiers, new barriers and that’s really what makes it so interesting and compelling.

What’s next for you?

I’d like to continue with some of this sort of work. I have really enjoyed working with latex and plaster. I have also developed great wood working skills. I will definitely incorporate these skills into my practice and I think I will continue in the way in which the course at Leith has helped me to develop.

What will you take away from this experience?

The importance of really good teaching with committed staff. Leith School of Art has small class sizes, and it’s the one-to-one tuition which makes such a difference.

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