Artist

Art College was a time of experimenting with as many different materials as possible, and learning which suited my work best. At times this required wisdom to get the best from the teaching staff.

For all its seeming open-mindedness, Art College is a spiritually antagonistic environment towards Christian faith, and it took time for me to earn the right to speak the gospel and to negotiate the prejudices held by so many.

It was also a time of exploring what was to be the essence of my work and how I should express my faith through art. For me this has found expression in looking at key social and political issues in conjunction with a biblical perspective, so that one can challenge and ask questions of the other.

On finishing at College, I taught for 2 years at a school in Dorset, before feeling certain that I should work as an artist in order to contribute to the forming of ideas and their expression in our culture. Art may be underpaid, but its influence is grossly disproportional to its product.

I now make painting and sculpture, and show it where I can – art centres, schools, churches and cathedrals. Some of these shows involve talks, workshops and discussions based around the themes and faith expressed in the artwork.

Presently I am working on two large installations, and planning 3 shows of my Trinity Series for Ripon, Guildford and Coventry Cathedrals for 2005.

I keep going because, however difficult, this work is the most fulfilling and particular contribution that I believe I can make. Showing one’s work to others is a great thrill, and seeing people open up to art and faith is a great reward.

As for support networks, I am connected to Artisan Initiatives, and have been a member of The Arts Centre Group. Support networks are a great way to meet people. However, the best thing is to find people that you are close to in spirit and thinking, and stick with them to support and encourage each other. These individual connections seem more significant for me than groups, which can easily be pulled in different directions by the variety of needs, and often lack focus.

As for advice to a Christian student at Art College, I would say:

1. Find out what you are good at and how good you are - use the time at college as an objective test.

2. Know why you are doing it - it’s tough and there are plenty of easier options.

3. Find out what God thinks of your art practice and what He wants you to do - keep offering your talents to Him.

4. Be cool about it - “the job that you are being prepared to do, may not even exist yet”.