Evaluation- Counterculture brief

 Evaluation

My initial idea was to work with wire, inspired by artists such as Bernar Venet, who uses simple forms, Anthony Gormley and Barbara Licha, who both create human figures, and John Pai, who I believe constructs these sea life-inspired sculptures. However, I soon felt overwhelmed and realised that wire wasn’t the material I wanted to work with and that what I would create might lack the impact I envisioned.

My next idea was to develop my skills in ceramics. I took the leap and consulted with the ceramic technicians to explore what was possible. After completing the test pieces, I discovered the work of artist Michelle Segre. I wish I had seen her work earlier, as it would have helped refine my vision for what I wanted to create. My goal was to make a larger sculpture piece that displayed both delicacy and fragility, but yet also have a good structure when standing as I believe this represents a system that can be broken down.

My wool sample provided valuable insight into the potential outcome, which gave me a sense of hope. Unfortunately, the hessian piece I dipped in slip wasn't fired until after the New Year due to ongoing issues with the kiln. This delay left me without enough time to develop the idea further. Navigating such challenges can be difficult, but ultimately, the time constraints were a result of poor time management on my part.

During uncertain times, when I was unsure if my piece would be fired, I shifted my focus to another project—the balloon carcass. Throughout the making process, I found myself doubting the idea, feeling it was childish and worrying about how others might perceive my work. However, once I photographed the finished sculpture, I realised it was the most powerful piece I created during this brief. I now view it as a success. This experience taught me the importance of trusting my process and not letting concerns about others' opinions dominate my thoughts, particularly in the early stages of creating.

I had the opportunity to interview a successful Black businessman and his business partner, who had just received approval to build flats on their land. Their insights were fascinating, particularly the language they used, which mirrored my own thoughts about the systemic loopholes and barriers they had to navigate. Their experiences highlighted the persistence and resilience required to overcome these challenges.

I also reached out to several successful Black public figures to broaden the scope of opinions for this project. Unfortunately, due to their demanding schedules and my own time constraints, I wasn’t able to secure additional interviews. Reflecting on this, I believe the piece had the potential to be truly impactful if I had been more organized and less distracted by personal challenges.

The biggest hurdle in this project was my lack of momentum. I started off slowly, and progress was frequently stalled due to a combination of low motivation and difficulties in my personal life. These factors left me running out of time, despite having some promising ideas.

Looking ahead, I’ve recognised the importance of setting clear, manageable goals and tackling them promptly to avoid procrastination and the accumulation of unfinished tasks. By taking a more structured approach and maintaining focus, I can only move forward with making sure future projects are not only completed on time but also reach their full potential.