Studying BA (Hons) Culture, Criticism and Curation at Central Saint Martins has allowed Damilola to immerse himself in all UAL has to offer, while his exposure to many different disciplines and experiences has fundamentally shaped his artistic perspective.
“I was drawn to my course at UAL because its wide-spread syllabus, covering areas such as photography, music and cultural theory. These areas were of massive interest to me, and I liked that the course allowed me to learn across these different disciplines.
My most recent project saw me co-curate an exhibition named 'Collecting Memory: Looking Forward'. It was a rotating exhibition exploring the importance of documentation as a vehicle for collecting and extending memory across generations, with a particular focus on how documentation has helped the formation of narratives around the contemporary Nigerian creative scene.
Being a UAL student has been an incredible experience. I wasn't massively engrossed in the creative space before I started, so it's been an awe-inspiring experience being surrounded by creativity 24/7. I've met so many insanely talented people working on the edge of their fields and creating beautiful things."
Gallery
As an international student I am well aware of the difficulties with moving to a completely new environment. My biggest advice would be to create a routine and space that allows you to be most comfortable.
Studying in London has massively influenced my UAL experience. London is a melting pot of so many cultures, and with cultural theory being a massive part of my course, the city has been the ideal backdrop to my classes. I actually lived in Yorkshire before I started at UAL, so London has been a huge but welcome change.
In London, there's always an event to go to, somewhere to create, have fun, meet people and just grow.
I’ve been lucky enough to work as a Tate Collective Producer for the past 3 years. I’ve helped plan Tate Britain Lates, curated exhibitions, supported artists and also served as the in-house photographer covering events. As a creator, the opportunities London affords are endless – you just need to grab them!”
Damilola Ayo-Vaughan
BA (Hons) Culture, Criticism and Curation
Central Saint Martins