In January 2009 I started the art foundation course at City Lit, London. During the four terms of the course we were required the keep a self-reflective journal, which can be seen my blog (http://margaret-cooter.blogspot.com). It documents every class and every project in photos and words.
The course started with a term of general drawing and sculpture projects. In the second term we sampled sculpture, ceramics, textiles, digital media, printmaking, and graphic design, while continuing with core studies (art history) and painting. In the final two terms we specialised in two areas; I chose ceramics and sculpture.
"Journey" is based on the nightmare scenario of climbing up rickety steps, needing to go ever higher even as the steps tremble under your feet. The steps, made of porcelain plaques supported on slivers of bamboo, can be seen as a forest or a cityscape. Shadows thrown into the corners amplify the effect, and a porcelain ladder leads down to (or up from) a pool of darkness below.
The other component in my final show was a week's worth of "TravelWriting", in a book format that could be displayed on the wall as a sculpture. While travelling to college and elsewhere, I drew a continuous line, allowing the movement of the train or bus to give it character. Developing these "journey lines" is the project that constitutes my MA work.
