Ok, so why am I here?

Not too a philosophical question, or answer; I applied to do the work placement because I am a Fine a graduate from Somerset College, University of Plymouth and since graduating in October 2009 I have been working part-time as a bookseller for Waterstones and doing art in my spare time. Most of this spare-time art has been for my own pleasure; to keep working, I love painting, drawing, print making and I still enjoy reseaching more about my own practice where I left off finishing my degree. You can see some of my work on:

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/stuart/StudentArt/ast_id/30940

 

However, this was all very self indulgent and I was beginning to feel quite cynical to say the least about the whole 'art scene' or lack of one in Taunton and Somerset. Don't get me wrong, I was fortunate to be involved, and win a prize (!) with an exciting open exhibition with Artists 303 during Somerset Art Weeks in September and I had had a comission to paint a mural for Queens College Pre-prep too, but none-the-less I was severly missing my course, the people and the 'cause' of making art for a specific reason. It's this 'cause' that I wanted to have again, in other words a reason to make art that wasn't just for me.

 

So I have never worked on a public art project which is why I applied to do it. I really want to learn how it works, what form it takes, how its organised and what results come out of it. It also goes without saying that I have lived in Taunton all my life and I knew I'd love the opportunity to work on a project here.

 

Comments

[Routes, river, rail]

I reserve judgment, yet, on my opinion of the arts in Taunton. I am hoping and believe that slowly, maybe things might be on the change. There are opportunities out there but do the artists or the people in Taunton have the verve and commitment to really make some significant improvments to the arts in Taunton? Or in what ways can I support or begin to make this happen? We shall wait and see.