Artist talk: Paula Chambers

Paula Chambers is the new head of sculpture on the Fine Art course at LCA, so it was really interesting to hear a new perspective as a sculptor student.
Her work is inspired by her own personal experiences as a woman and a mother, breaking down the stereotypes of women in revealing the taboos of woman and motherhood and the issues faced, such as psychological effects and the pain women go through, which is often brushed under the carpet. Looking at particular cases where women have committed crimes that have been called 'monstrous' but in fact if it was a man they would have been treated differently.
Using different materials that create connotations of the domestic but subverting our perceptions through unusual interventions to question what we see and what we know. Such as the knitted bonnet, which is stereotypical image of motherhood is transformed into an image of pain as she used copper wire instead of wool, a painful process and a physical struggle to complete, she says her hands were covered in cuts by the time she had completed it. For me there is a quiet struggle, something that a lot of new mothers go through.

He later works look at the woman and the domestic, subverting what women are expected to be like, not soft and vulnerable. Using everyday objects that traditional from a distance don't look threatening, but up close small alterations that had deceived the viewer. Images of women from pattern shapes for sowing from the 1950's have been altered slightly, still in their feminine 50's dresses but now holding weapons such as large kitchen knives, rope and blood stains. There is a difference between what is seen of women in the media and presumptions, and the reality behind closed doors.

Artist talk: Ope Lori

Our new tutor Dr Ope Lori gave an artist's talk this week. It was really interesting to find out about her work. In her practice she deals with racial and sexual stereotyping through the medium of video, text and performance art.

Talking about her most recent work she did for her PHD at Chelsea School of Art, she broke her work down into four sections:

'Know the game, be the game, play the game, change the game.'

Working with her own personal experiences and portrayals of women in the media, she rewrites ways of seeing and asks the viewer what are they really looking at. Changing positions of power, destabilizing the norm and evoking consciousness in the viewer.

Creative Networks event: Giles Deacon

I went to the creative networks event where Giles Deacon was the speaker. He was great to listen to and had great advice for future creatives wanting to make their own way in the industry. Although he is from a different discipline it was still useful to hear how he got sponsors for his shows and gained contacts, working his way up the ladder and finally starting his own company. Inspiring talk and a great event.

Graduate Forum: Martin Darbyshire and Lydia Brockless artist talks

Martin Darbyshire graduated from Leeds College of Art last year, so I knew his work quite well, but hearing what he's been up to since then was really interesting and useful thinking ahead to when I graduate. He is now studying for his MA at Glasgow School of Art, an internationally recognised art school.



Lydia Brockless graduated from Leeds College of Art two years ago, and has since gone on to become a working artist based in Kent. She is currently exhibiting as part of Bloomberg New Contemporaries at ICA London. A fantastic opportunity showcasing up and coming artists.

Graduate forum: Georgia Lucas Going artist talk

The graduate forum 2015 was a great success this year, I really enjoyed Georgia's talk, who was the creative in residence when I was in first year. Other than the fact her intro music to the lecture theater was awesome her talk was funny, informative and inspiring. Hearing from someone who started in the same place as you is truly heartening. Especially as she has achieved so much since she graduated 5 years ago. She is now on the Fine Art MA at the Slade School of Art!! Even when things didn't always go her way, she kept going with a lot of determination. If I am anywhere near where she is now in 5 years time, I'll know I'm doing the right thing!

Her advice:

• Contact artist's you would like to work with
• Get ready for no's
• Try and make yourself stand out
• Your portfolio takes time
• Organise your own events

"You will make shit art, but then you will make amazing art"

Best artist talk I've been to!

Curating exhibitions at Inkwell Arts

I am part of the exhibitions team at Inkwell Arts, it's been a great exhibition as they run exhibitions of students work from Inkwell. Giving the students the opportunity to show their work and gain confidence and experience in their own artistic practices. I help out by arranging the works on the floor first in the order we want them in, then work out the center point of each work and measuring it onto the wall in pencil which is rubbed out later. I also help write up and print out exhibition information such as labeling each piece and mounting them on foam board. It's been a great learning experience to help organise and curate exhibitions with the exhibitions team.

I'll Show You Mine exhibition

I recently took part in an exhibition held in a house in Leeds. I really liked the idea that the exhibition was held in a house because it allowed the audience and the exhibitors to communicate and break down the barriers that normally separate the two in White Cube galleries. The exhibition was a great success, the show looked brilliant and the collective Leon Co, who organised the exhibition did a great job curating the whole thing. It was a great chance for LCA students across strands and year groups to come together and exhibit what they've got.