I applied to the Artists’ Benevolent Fund because it was an opportunity every art student could only dream of getting their hands on to help introduce you into the artworld beyond the studios with support. For me, the key thing that grabbed my attention was the idea that I could have one more year in the thriving community of the studios, one more year to teach myself new skills in textiles with tutor support and one more year to make the most of the Student Services and to work on my mental health. It was an opportunity that appeared to not only support me in becoming an artist, but also one that would support my growth outside the studios and in my own well-being.
From this experience I hope to lay the foundations in being a self-sufficient artist. To learn the realities of what life is like in supporting yourself as an artist and use this last year in the studios to fully make use of all the facilities at hand, to make use of the group critics and tutors. I want to expand my practice, develop my skills, and become prouder in my work, breaking the imposter syndrome that haunts every artist and push my work into the real art world. It is a year to reach out to other creators, to galleries and artist, to create a community who not only empower myself, but we can empower each other through the liberation of art.