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Jo Boddy

Profession
MA Fine Art: Digital student
College
Central Saint Martins
Person Type
Student
Jo Boddy

Biography

Jo Boddy is from Bagshot, Surrey and studying MA Fine Art: Digital at Central Saint Martins.

Interview

Why did you choose to study MA Fine Art: Digital at Central Saint Martins?

Art is a second career for me, I wanted to gain a formal qualification in it whilst challenging myself to study at Masters level, but I also have two children and a dog who need me around at home so an online course was my only plausible option.

Central Saint Martins was my first choice since I wanted to be part of a cohort and have 'in person' group sessions rather than pre-recorded videos.  The fact the course had been running for 18 years previously filled me with confidence that this was a tried and tested method of study which would offer me a unique richness in the international nature of the cohort, with the added bonus for me of opportunities to use the printmaking studio and library facilities at CSM when life allows, since I'm fairly close to London.

What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on so far?

All first year MA Arts Programme students are invited to participate in an interim exhibition half way through the year.  We were recommended to be as flexible as possible in the presentation of our piece since there would be well over 100 students all helping to 'curate' the exhibition and limited hanging space.  This got me wondering about alternative ways to present a print, other than in a frame on a wall.  I ended up stitching lots of smaller prints together and hanging them from an 8 foot tall stick which could rest against any wall.

Seeing the exhibition as a whole, how other students had tackled the limitations of the venue and how the different course leaders worked with the students was fascinating. Our course leader, Jonathan, made the sure the whole experience was richly steeped in learning.

This nudge into exploring more installation type presentation felt exciting and has opened up further avenues for new work.

What recent successes have you had since joining the course? 

I'm a member of a local printmaking group and we have a large exhibition next year.  The course is providing me with so much more confidence and development in my own work, as well as the experience of exhibiting and a cohort of experienced artists to bounce ideas off.  I have taken joint lead in the community engagement side of the exhibition which will see local schools use printmaking techniques to explore their natural world.  These prints will then be exhibited as part of our exhibition.

What important piece of advice would you give to students thinking of studying this course?

The richness in this course stems from the course leader's philosophy that every situation provides an opportunity for learning, the diversity of the cohort builds upon that. An online course could be thought of as lesser to studying in person, but this course takes the opportunities presented by its online nature and exploits them to maximise its potential.

What has been the highlight of your Central Saint Martins experience?

The low residency week was wonderful.  There were gallery visits, group sessions, workshops and the opportunity to immerse ourselves in our CSM community for a whole week, it was fascinating to discover that we all felt we knew each other well, despite not having met in person previously.  We also got to meet some of the second year students.  Everything that could also be done online for those unable to attend in person was, and it was completely flexible so you could attend as much or as little as you chose.  It was a luxury, a really exciting and special one.

What are your career aspirations?

I would like to be regularly exhibiting my work in well known print exhibitions.  One huge ambition is to be accepted to the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers (RE).

I also have a teaching background and have enjoyed sharing my practise with GCSE students, I'd like to keep visiting schools and sharing my practise with GCSE and A Level students, as I think it is very important for them to see that an artistic career is possible.

What is the most important thing you learnt on the course?

The importance of reflecting on experiences, work, process and life in general to see the bigger picture, and that there's something to be learned from every situation.

Links

Find out more about MA Fine Art: Digital.

Follow Jo on Instagram.

View Jo's website to see more of her work.

Central Saint Martins

Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 7444

Address

1 Granary Square
King's Cross
London
N1C 4AA