Beaumont School
Workshop
Beaumont school, St Albans
2016
Nick visited sixth form art students at Beaumont school to give career advice, including portfolio reviews and how to prepare for interviews with art colleges. His series of floppy disk art was also a topic of discussion, which led to related debates about environmentalism, ethical artwork and privacy in the digital age.
Nick Gentry’s Thoughts on Art As Pure Expression – No Strings Attached
We’re all from a certain age and time, of that, there is no doubt. We were born and grew up surrounded by that era and were thus defined. But then things change.
Like everything, what we know fades away and is replaced by something else. We have to work hard to keep up with it or risk the undesirable reality of remaining stuck in in the past.
Nick loves this kind of paradox. The times being what they are, shifting the way they are shifting, and transforming into this new cyber culture extravaganza. from nothing to something at the speed of light. His art straddles two worlds of the same proxi – the pre-PC and the App generations. But while others may focus on what’s new, Nick highlights the obsolete medias that are being quickly outstripped by newer, better, faster and stronger upgrades and how this connects with us socially. Since graduating from Central St Martins, Nick’s work has exhibited in the UK, USA and across Europe. Constantly, he searches for the connection between us and our technology. Where is is going and will we be able to keep up with it?
What would you tell an artist who aims to put their work out on the market?
The artist needs to be fully attached to the work when it is in progress and then as detached as possible when it’s completed. This is something that takes a while to get used to, but it nurtures the requirement to progress the work continuously. Getting completed work out there provides momentum, along with the physical and mental space to work on new pieces. This might be selfish but I only look to create work that I like, not so much what others might be interested in.
What roadblocks have you run into artistically and how did you overcome them?
With art I don’t see any roadblocks at all. It’s a pure form of expression with no limits. The closest thing would be a set of creative challenges that I don’t directly think about. It’s more like looking at something and then allowing it to be absorbed and dealt with by some inner workings. So really it’s a case of being relaxed and trusting your inner self to work things out automatically. Good ideas come to me, I never consciously go and seek them out. The business side of being an artist has plenty of potential roadblocks. It’s not something that is taught at art school either, so the artist needs to be a quick learner in that respect.
What habits have served you well over the years?
I view the work through various sets of eyes. While I am working on something I will squint, take pictures and look from different angles. The number one thing is to allow yourself to calmly bond with your art as an imperfect thing. I’ve seen people bail out on artworks as they have maybe judged it too consciously and logically. It has to be a feeling and that also has to come with momentum. I don’t tinker! I accept that it’s a human feature to work quite fast and make countless valuable mistakes.
How do you budget/manage your time and how would you advise others about managing their time?
Knowing when you work at your best is vital. I’m full of energy and focused in the morning, so I will make sure that I do the important things then. After that you need to allow your passion and dedication for art to manage your time for you. That would mean spending a lot of time thinking and working artistically, simply because you enjoy it. If you have to work a second job then that is fine, as long as you make time to continue working with your art on a regular basis. Small breaks are useful for reflection, but momentum is the key.
What information do you need to feed your mind?
There is an overwhelming amount of information around us now, so more than ever we need to focus on what we find interesting and relevant to our own lives. Anything that stirs thought and feeling is valid. Music, books, movies, art, seminars, talking with a friend. The list would be endless, but the important thing is to build an awareness by recognising when you are getting that feeling of inspiration. Stay open.
What is 1 word that describes your process?
Adaptive.
What captivates you right now?
I’ve been reading about the power of the unconscious mind. It’s something that I have felt for a while, but generally there is so little that is academically understood on the subject. It seems that we can only experience the earth through our own senses, and what science tells us. It makes me think that there is so much more, but our limited senses and knowledge cannot yet reveal it to us. I suppose I am trusting my instincts and revelling in pure naivety.
What detail of the earth currently fixates you?
Changes. Everything is constantly evolving and on the move.
BBC Education Series - Making Art Work
BBC Two interviewed Nick Gentry in a series of educational videos and career advice for art students entitled ‘Making Art Work’
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