This is a blog to hi-light some interesting stuff we have noticed this week. It could be very new it might be older, we just thought it was a way to engage with the arts. Hopefully it'll inspire you to explore more. If this week's offering doesn't float your boat, pop back next week, or click on the Stretch and Challenge blog here, for loads of other starting points.
THIS WEEK: 25th APRIL 2022
It's deadline week for the A level year 2 students and Assessment 2 for our Year 1s. We've continued the theme this week to look at new TV shows, architects and more great artwork. Often in these stressful times, being out in nature can help. The Japanese practise shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere”) as a way of turning off the modern world and technology and trying to reconnect with nature. Currently the bluebells will be out in local woods so well worth an explore. Roddlesworth Wood is a particular hilight locally, where the whole place is filled with bluebells, creating quite the spectacle. It doesn't last long so try and get out to see it this bank holiday.
WEEK: 19th APRIL 2022
In the run up to #ourplanetweek I wanted to showcase creatives who are inspired by the world. Whether that be raising awareness of the many issues we face, or showcasing the beauty the world stands to lose if we don't help it. As you may know, my own work is inspired by being out in nature and many of you are working on projects that will and do, reflect many of these themes. The creatives here might be able to show you some interesting ways of developing the ideas.
There are many brands already starting to do this, I feel they are trying to create a whole lifestyle choice. The items are quality and the advertising and websites are often aspirational making you want to pay the extra cost, as you are doing your bit to help. I have had a pair of Parley x Adidas trainers and you would not know the difference. Same for my Patagonia coat, hopefully I'll never have to buy another coat now. They'll repair any damage and again 75% of the coat is made from recycled products. Finisterre will also do the same.
Many of these brands have been set up by people who saw the effects of ocean plastics first hand, waterhaul make glasses out of fishing nets and Rareform use old plastic posters to create bags. Elle Magazine have put a high fashion list of brands together too, worth a look to see how they advertise and showcase their work. Really exciting ways of dealing with a problem without impacting further on the environment. Most importantly, you'll look great too.
So next time you are buying new stuff, is it worth saving up a bit longer and buying something that is recycled and just as beautiful?
WEEK: 28th March 2022
WOW this week. looks at Artists who took part in war, some, documenting war and it's effect on others helping disguise boats. These artists work, is still influential today and they are rightly regarded as some of the bravest and best artists of all time. Would you be prepared to go to extreme lengths to get the images you needed. I know I'd think twice. These creatives new, to tell the story, you must fully understand what is happening. How else can you show what it is like if you don't understand it fully. The Easter hols are about to start, Year 2 and All UAL students have this time to complete their ideas. Make sure your work, is personal and truly reflects the themes you are trying to get across.
WEEK: 21st March 2022
When I was at college, we had a debate about the bombing and murder of the Yemeni people by the countries leader, using planes he had bought off the UK government. Going into the lecture, I wondered what was the point in this lecture? How/ why anyone would think that the UK should be selling weapons to anyone, they knew, was committing genocide, was ok, was beyond me. Of course it was wrong. However, in Preston, where I went to college, there is BAE Systems in Warton which is a weapons manufacturer. Many of the people in that lecture, had family employed at that sight. Hence why the topic was chosen as a debate. I was amazed to find people arguing that the weapons were just goods, being sold, and it wasn't our fault is the bombs were being used to commit genocide or any other death. Also the weapons protect us, so it is vital we keep working. It has stuck with me for 25 years that discussion. I can understand the argument in one sense, the financial needs of a community, but morally is it really correct? What do you think? Even more terrifying is, this continues today and the west has supplied weapons for many a conflict and often those same weapons are turned on us further down the line. There surely is a better way.
This week, I have shared artists and works that tried to hilight the issues in war and change the world around them. Artists, like Malevich, forced to change his art style as an oppressive regime moved in. Based in Kyiv from the early 1900s he tried to reflect and rebel about the soviet rule. Epstein, who championed modernity, changed his views when he saw the horrors of war for himself. Pop Art that reflects the politics of the time and holds a mirror up to ourselves. What are we prepared to accept, somewhere else so we are comfortable here. There are many aspects to explore, for many a war will mean, jobs and prosperity set against the backdrop of death. It's worth reading around this and, like the artists I have shared will it change your mind or continue to inspire you to try and change things in your own little way.
THIS WEEK: 14th March 2022
The main image that has inspired this weeks blog is the Statue Of Duke Richelieu in Odessa, Ukraine. The people of the city are trying to protect the monument that was first unveiled in 1828, from the effect of war. To me it's both a tragic image of fear and concern, but also of hope, that when this is all over, the statue will be protected and life can start to get back to normal. Over the next few weeks I'll try to reflect creatives who have used their work to inspire peace or show war for what it really is. There is much art inspired by War, propoganda posters are wildly used still as their message is clear. Many artists try to reflect the realities behind this propoganda, Goya, showing the horrors of civil war, Epstein's figures showing the mechanical nature of war. The futurists, quite liked it, they saw change coming. There is loads to explore and I hope your find something you find interesting.
WEEK: 7th March 2022
It was International Women's Day on 8th March 2022 this week. Hopefully you were all aware. I have been struck by how people react to this day. Some men will, unfortunately, always say "When is international Men's Day?" they're not really getting the point of it are they. It's the 19th November, incase you are bothered.
This year's Break the Bias theme aims to get women supporting women and celebrating their successes. (In Expressive Arts students have been making posters to raise awareness of this theme and I have added a cool video and poem that explains the concept more clearly) Whilst others, use it as an opportunity to hi-light the work that still needs to be done, on our path to equality.
I've tried to reflect aspects all of this, showing you facts and interesting things that you might find interesting. In past blogs, I have showcased a range of female creatives, and I urge you to go back and revisit those profiles as I have not repeated them here.
I reflect on the representation of women in the arts regularly, in the videos I share with learners and the artists I hope you will explore. So many interesting stories to be told, great skills to be acknowledged. I feel things are starting to change, but let's not kid ourselves on the amount of work that is still needed to get anywhere near equality, the Gender pay gap and parental leave rights amongst many others, all need to be radically overhaled.
WEEK: 28th February 2022
I have a brother in Madrid so we were lucky to be able to visit him. Whilst there we saw one of the most famous paintings of all time; Guernica by Pablo Picasso. I was thrilled having used the image in my A level exam. Then with the war in Ukraine it became all the more poignant. So I thought I'd share the experience here to show that an artwork can become a symbol for many more things than it was originally intended. There is a video in the blog which explains each aspect of the work in detail, I suggest you watch as it has much more cultural insight than you'll, maybe be prepared to read here.
Guernica is a response to the unprovoked bombing of the Spanish town of Guernica, which killed thousands of innocent civilians. The bombing was ordered by the Fascist Spanish Leader Franco as a practise for the bombing that he would start in WW2. (Franco remained in charge of Spain until 1974, so very recent history too)
Picasso, famously, wasn't political but this fired him up to produce one of the greatest political artworks of all time. The huge scale makes it impossible to ignore and the angled and distorted imagery, try to depict the confusion and fear that war inflicts. The video below explains each section well, but you can see the bull of Spain, the crying and dead figures the explosion in the light, the terror in the faces. The black and White reflects life and death and the timeless imagery from the newspapers at the time. Guernica was toured to raise awareness of the plight of the Spanish people, it has since become a symbol for the horrors of war, censored by the American government and adopted by groups as shorthand of the atrocities that occur in all wars.
With the images coming from Ukraine this week, it is clear that many will not learn lessons from the past and again Guernica becomes all too appropriate again.
Week: 7th February 2022
Another half term done already. Have you been productive? February is LGBTQ+ History Month so I've started by hilighting some of the key moments and some great artists to get you interested in the different creative approaches. Protest is an important part of the history so I have tried to hi-light the crossovers in the movements. I hope you find it interesting, as always, a mix of image, video and text for you to start your journey. At the bottom of the page is a list of creative opportunities in the North for you to take part in over half term.
WEEK: 24th JANUARY 2022
This week the focus continues to be on Protest. I have new neighbours who have been forced from their home in Hong Kong to flee the Chinese rule being imposed there. They are lucky as a graphic designer and lawyer they have been able to move to Manchester quite easily, they worried about getting the children into school and grandparents safely out of the country. They have tried to change the situation in Hong Kong but saw only futility. They have moved to an area that will welcome them, but it makes you think of all the people who are desperate to get out, who are oppressed for their beliefs, gender, sexuality, who aren't able to just leave, so must stand and fight, with all the things that can occur as a result. Some of you, might think so what? But ask yourself this, did your family panic buy during the lockdown, did you queue for petrol, when you didn't really need it? In your little way this is you trying to make sure you and your family are ok. This is all migrants and asylum seekers are doing, but they are escaping far scarier realities that a lack of toilet paper. If we all stand together the world will be a better place. I have tried to show you many ways that you could raise awareness. There are exhibitions to visit and books to read. An amazing Video essay and an art piece that can be viewed as an object, through images or video. Loads of exciting ideas completed in every media. She is you can spot the links between the work and how they link to art history. Artists are doing that all the time to claim the kudos and to link themselves to the course raised in the work.
WEEK: 17th JANUARY 2022
This week the House of Lord's rejected proposed changes to the government's police, crime, sentencing and courts bill, which would have meant tougher sentences and sanctions for anyone who protests too loudly or caused disruption to transport, amongsts other things. Not allowing people to protest is the start of something far more serious. The claims might come, that it's due to covid and disrupting things that are already disrupted only caused more issues. Fine you might think, but when does it get rolled back. The House of Lords thought it goes against our civil liberties and axed the bill. Last year many of you went out in support of the Palastinians in Gaza, would you have been prepared to be arrested for that, or fined, for saying what you believed to be right. The BLM movement and the Sarah Everard Vigils hilighted the importance of protest, despite people and the authorities trying to stop them. Many protests are, peaceful people making a statement about what they feel is stopping them progressing. Without protest, women wouldn't be voting, widespread slavery may still exist, governments would do whatever they pleased, Ole would still be in charge. I've put together a selection of artists who have captured images of protest or are protesting in their work. Your work should have a cultural conscious, you don't have to be out there, but be glad that people are out there risking their lives and reputations so that the people who follow them don't have to deal with the same issues. Loads of amazing art has come out of Protest, some serious some fun. See what you think.
THIS WEEK: 10th JANUARY 2022
2022! This is where the hard work starts. Y1s are about the start Component 1, UAL Students will start FMP and Y2s have to show they have the skills to pay the bills. Much has happened since last term, Illegal parties, Covid waves, Chinese Spies, Apologies, Great TV. NY Drones over London. All very exciting. We hope you have had a great time and are ready to do yourself justice for the remainder of the year.
This week's blog will focus on achievable tasks that you can start to do this weekend. For a number of years my resolutions have stuck, which I've been really proud of. Do more artwork, is one that has meant I have been nationally and internationally displayed in 2021 with work in another exhibition in 2022. Get out walking more, has led to meeting new friends and exploring the hills all around Manchester, from Winter Hill to The Cat and Fiddle. This year, I want to spend more quality time with family. Nothing massive, but will have a huge impact on my life. The key was they were achievable and I was able to fit them into my lifestyle. Why not try something that is initially easy yourself, take a photo everyday, draw on the bus. Watch a youtube video from a different creative everyday. Read a newspaper on the way to college? These small changes can have a huge impact in your life but start with a tiny first step.
WEEK: 6th December 2021
Well done to everyone who is taking part in the Collaborate Project your work is now being displayed in the gallery space in art and you will be receiving your images to develop further soon. Some really interesting outcomes and some fun developments on the theme. Today's selection highlights some pioneers from across the creative world. As we near UCAS deadlines I have added some career discussions that Debbie recommends. With 4 days of college left before Christmas, it is vital we all keep going ensuring we have a plan to achieve at the best level we can. The guys below all did that and changed the world, one is fictional and had magic to be fair, but you get the sentiment. Go out and challenge what is expected of you.
WEEK: 29th November 2021
After a week off and with a series of ongoing projects we're offering a few choice titbits for you to enjoy and maybe get involved in. Our continued commitment to collaboration and equal rights are hi-lighted in each of the articles raised but we have tried to come at it from a range of different angles to engage as wide as range of people as possible. Enjoy.
WEEK: 15th November 2021
This week we officially launch our response to the themes we raise in the Wow of the Week. We would like for you to work together to ensure awareness of the issues that are important to you are shared and aired within college. We want you to creatively reflect your experiences and thoughts so that we can begin the conversation in college. Collaborate will allow you to work with other creatives in college, share ideas, see different practice, learn new ways to look at a problem, just like you will do in the world of work. The work will be live and exciting and would look great to any university as they see you are community focused and aware of the cultural issues your peer group face. We look forward to seeing your work.
WEEK: 8th November 2021
Over the next few weeks we are going to hi-light female artists and activists from all cultures to hopefully inspire discussions and conversations amongst you about how you are empowered or subjugated by the environment you are in and the people who surround you. We've had some really interesting conversations in classes and in the staffrooms this week. We want all those who identify as women to feel safe and we supported. We want those of you who identify as male to look at this and see the struggles your friends deal with, often without you knowing. There has been lots of discussion about it's not ok to just be not racist/ sexist etc. You actively have to be anti- racist or sexist etc.... and challenge those around you who exhibit outdated views. If you don't feel confident to do this, these artists might give you some ideas and you can also talk to teachers and tutors for support too. An important topic which has inspired some amazing creativity. Hopefully it will inspire you to create something great too.
THIS WEEK: 1st November 2021
Happy Diwali to everyone who is celebrating! We're back after half term and the focus is getting work done. Not letting your concerns and worries stop you from achieving to the best of your abilities. All of you will now be getting into the deeper meanings and ideas in your themes. Your work will become more personal and more insightful as you reflect the research you are doing in your work. The blog will reflect this thinking and begin to share creatives who challenge the status quo and who are not afraid to express who they really are. I've had some great conversations with students this week, with some challenging themes and exciting developments.
Week: 18th October 2021
The week before half term and I feel I have seen loads of great stuff. We went to Blackpool to see the illuminations and visit the creative institutes in town. It was a great visit. Hopefully, some of you will be sharing your photos and ideas, in college if you were there too. Blackpool is a place of huge juxtapositions, the glamour of the front set against a very deprived working-class town. Fish and chips on the prom, plenty of tat and doughnuts were bought and some great photos were taken. As a result, this week's blog is inspired by work we saw and ideas we were introduced to. I also went to Yorkshire Sculpture park and saw their great new works that have just been installed, always good, a great walk and plenty of cool art. Podcasts, designers, history, art, definitely something for everyone. At Blackpool the advice given for being a successful student was to get interested in everything. A great concept as we go into half term. Get out there and be excited about what you see, you can see below great beauty can be found wherever you look.
Week: 11th October 2021
Wow of the week time! Just like many of you, I have begun to watch Squid Game. I am really enjoying it, especially the performances of the lead characters who seem to go from serious to comedic in each phrase. I'm watching in Korean and am enjoying the change in pace to my viewing. This week we have been reminded about the Prevent Strategy and all been on numerous Enrichment trips. I hope you have been able to find some great ideas and thoughts throughout. Next weeks the masks go back on, just in time for half term, so gets yours sorted so you can have an inspiring half term rather than an isolating one. The blog this week, moves from Simon and Garfunkel to Nature in Art, to Films to Tupac and Biggie. There should be something for everyone. Places to visit and things to see, a great way to get you started for the weekend. See you next week.
WEEK: 4th OCTOBER 2021
The Tory Party Conference is down the road so Greater Manchester is in the spotlight. The Bee Network has been launched which means we might all get cheaper travel with more options to visit all the exciting things on our doorstep. How many of the 40 things to do in Bolton have you done yet? (See last weeks blog for the list) Half Term is fast approaching and everyone is about settled on their courses. Do you feel it is going quickly? Are you coping with the workload? Are you nervous about Covid still? These are all things to talk about with your friends, family, tutors and teachers. As the nights roll in it will be important to keep that communication open. Boris talked about levelling up, that can be interpreted to mean getting the best for yourself. No matter what happened in the past, let's move forward to be the best we can be in.
WEEK: 27th September 2021
Last week we had Gas price rises this week we've run out of Petrol. Covid and Brexit are great, hey what!?! This week creatively we have a jammed packed blog, from Fungus Photography to Pentagram legends. Loads of things for you to get involved with this week, competitions, events, talks. 40 things you must do in Bolton! Black History Month starts in October, I've written about that and shared some great links for you to get involved and educate yourself. Lot's of contemporary ways to display your art and an Exhibition opportunity for all learners who went to the Manchester Trip. We hope you enjoy it.
WEEK: 20th September 2021
This week has seen gas prices soar, the brutal murder of a young woman in London and a family in Derbyshire. Covid is still about you'd be unforgiven for thinking the world is falling apart. There are loads of positive though, Chorley was the centre of the political world as the G7 speakers met in Astley Hall. Strictly and Taskmaster both restarted and the weather has been great mostly. I've put together a selection of things to lift the spirits, loads of creative and people triumphing over adversity. I hope you had a good week. As always, please come and share anything you think everyone else should know about.
Features: Sorry to Bother You, Nirvana, Boards of Change and much more
WEEK: 13th SEPTEMBER 2021
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We're back in college and we'll all finding our feet again. I hope the new Y1 are settling in well and the new Y2 feel like they are making progress with their projects already. A new look blog so hopefully the pages will load quicker each week. This week Bo Burnham's Inside, Arlo Parks and Gunda amongst the things to check out. All the previous blogs have been archived at their old link, meaning to access them, follow the links and you just need to allow plenty of time for it to load fully.
FIND THE WOW! OF THE WEEK ARCHIVE HERE!
ALL BLOGS FROM THE 2020/2021 ACADEMIC YEAR