Introducing… Jeff
is the second of an occasional post that will introduce some of the dedicated
people who through their efforts keep Arts Together going.
has worked with Arts Together since the original pilot project in 2000. He was
manager for a few years as well as leading sessions with the groups. Since
Karolyne took over the day to day running in 2004, he has taken on the role of
accounts and communications manager as well as continuing to deliver art
activities.
originally trained as a graphic designer turning self-employed in 1980 and
sharing the running of a successful design business in South
London. On moving to Wiltshire in 1985 with Karen he continued
working as a freelance designer for a broad range of clients including local authorities,
tv companies, advertising agencies and charities. In 1995 he graduated with an
HND in Community Arts and since then he has been lead artist and manager of
ArtSpark – a group of artists who collaborate on socially engaged and participatory
art projects. Jeff also has a BA (hons) in Fine Art with Drawing from Oxford Brookes
University and a
Foundation in Art Therapy from City of Bath College.
”Working as a professional artist and as a participatory facilitator – for Arts
Together and on other projects – has reciprocal benefits for both roles. I have
been doing this for 20 years now and cannot imagine ever stopping. These are
some of the positive aspects and cross-over advantages:
- I have never managed to
make even a small living solely from making and selling my art despite
continual exhibiting and engagement in collaborative projects. This is because
a significant amount of the work I make is not commercial or sits in a vacuum
between the “art world” and popular cultural consumption. For this reason, art
related teaching and facilitation that earns money is essential for being able
to live but also to be able to make more work. In this respect Arts Together
has been a consistent and rewarding employer for nearly 15 years. - But money is only a small
part of the overall benefits. Working on my own projects can be draining and
also isolating, and sometimes the purpose for making art can become too
self-regarding and inward looking. So working with others outside of the studio
refreshes my motivation. Arts Together is for older people, many of whom have
given up on doing something new in their lives or who have lost all confidence
in their abilities and are socially isolated and alone. Being able to bring
creative opportunities to such a group is personally invigorating and hugely
rewarding. To see the delight and amazement at achieving challenging creative
projects is fantastic and hopefully brings a little positive uplift to lives
that society has turned away from.
- The challenge for me as
an artist is to make the projects difficult enough to be challenging but
accessible enough so that everyone can take part and find their own level of
success. Having to plan and prepare with great care means I have to examine the
process of creativity which consequently positively benefits my own practice as
well as reminding me of methods and materials I had forgotten. Working with
vulnerable adults also reminds me of what I tend to take for granted – often
assuming that everyone is artistic but then having to confront the most
fundamental barriers to creativity. Many times I have heard: “I was told at
school I was rubbish at art, so I never wanted to try again”. 70 years on those
negative admonishments are still potent for many people and prevent them from
even making a mark. In the same way many adults have forgotten how to play and
have fun. They are frightened of the seeming purposeless of art in a very
logical/left brain world. But; play, risk, experiment, chance, trial and error
lead to surprises, delight and a sense of fulfilment and enrichment that
changes not only someone’s mood, but their view of the world and their place in
it.
- A lot of the work I make
has a social/political element and some of the inspiration for this comes from
working with the Arts Together participants. They are approaching the end of
their lives and are variously suffering the loss of; partners, family, friends,
pets, possessions, homes, physical abilities, mental faculties, senses and
their very identity through dementia. Older people can also suffer the stigma
of being marginalised by society or categorised into a group that no longer
serves a role or has any purpose, especially if they are struggling on small
pensions or savings and cannot buy their way out of isolation. I am angry that we
do not value older people and encourage and enable them to participate in their
communities and wider society. Sometimes we offer them reminiscence, sing-songs
and bingo as if that is the reward for growing old. By stark contrast Arts
Together offers creativity, stimulation, socialising, new and interesting
activities and the possibility of challenging the stereotypes and assumptions
of getting older. The experience of working with older people is a constant
reality check and feeds back into my studio work.
My own practice is diverse and spans many different media and styles. I enjoy the solitude and introspection of the studio where I paint and make sculpture but also the excitement of working collaboratively with other artists on projects and commissions.
I have exhibited in many group shows and open competitions. I was specially
commended in the NationalSculpture Prize at Broomhill in 2014 and in the 100 long-list for the
Aesthetica Art Prize 2013. I participated in Sketch 2013 at Rabley Drawing
Centre as well as Void Open in Hoxton, Black Swan Open, Frome, and was one of
four artists selected for the Althea Wynne Bursary Award. www.jeffartist.co.uk
With fellow artist Julia Warin (Arts Together trustee) I exhibited in;
Contemporary South West, Duet Open at the Quay Arts Centre, IoW and won the
Open Prize at Fringe Arts Bath 2014 with the “DIY Fracking Kit”.
Our joint installation “Kiosk”
has been shown many times and has received wide acclaim and praise. www.artspark.net
Also in 2014 Julia and I successfully created Erosion Zone, an
interactive display exploring coastal erosion for the Jurassic Coast Trust
funded by the Arts Council which was exhibited at Bridport Arts Centre,
Durlston Castle and B-side Festival, Portland. We are currently working on a
commission for Dorset Council examining climate change and the effects of
flooding on people in Dorchester.
For 2015 I will be continuing to work with Arts Together alongside being
selected for a residency retreat in Southern Ireland and a studio swap with a fellow
sculptor in St Just, Cornwall.”