Creative Arts in Conversation: Rachel Smith and Trine Wade

Q & A between Programme Tutor Rachel Smith and Creative Arts Stage 3 student Trine Wade.

Tell us a bit about your current creative practice as you approach the end of the Creative Arts degree. 

As an artist of Place, my process-led practice is centred around an exploration of embodied experience, the ‘being-in-place’. With an auto-ethnographic focus and a phenomenological methodology, I respond materially to thoughts, feelings, and experiences that emerge from both fleeting encounters and more long-term emplacements. 

I prefer to work with long term projects as it allows my ideas and intentions to develop over time. As a project evolves I explore a range of methods to determine which ones are most suited to convey my ideas and aesthetic. My interdisciplinary practice includes photography, printmaking, collage, sculpture, text, installation, and video. 

In my most recent project, as part of Units 3.2 and 3.3 I symbolically brought my grandad home to a coastal town in Norway. This was achieved through site-specific art installations exploring displacement, belonging, forgiveness, and intergenerational trauma. 

In what ways have you developed interdisciplinary methods as part of the degree?

My interdisciplinary method of working developed as I grew in confidence throughout stage 2. Working my way through stage 3 interdisciplinarity has become my artistic practice. I have worked with similar themes throughout my final units and this has given me time and opportunity to explore a range of different approaches and methods.  

I have found the Creative Arts tutors to be very supportive, always encouraging me to ‘push the boundaries’. Sometimes further than I am able or willing to go at the time, but their encouragement has enabled me to embrace such a wide range of creative methodologies.  

How have you developed confidence across a range of creative methods and disciplines as you built your approach?

Time has been my friend! It is astonishing to look back to the very beginning, a nervous student without many skills but with a huge amount of enthusiasm. Several years later I have an art practice that continuously inspires me to experiment and develop my skills.

When working across disciplines, there has to be compromises when it comes to proficiency. Artists might spend a lifetime perfecting their techniques while I might use a specific method for one specific project only. I choose methods because I feel they will help me communicate and visualise my ideas. If I feel they are doing that, then I’m happy with the effort, even if I can see imperfections etc. When analysing a project after completion I will notice everything I could have done differently, but that doesn’t take away my feeling of satisfaction with the project itself. This is how I grow and learn for the next time. I do tune in to my emotions a lot when working, it has to ‘feel’ right. That helps to build confidence, knowing I am doing it for me, the way I want to

What have been the highlights and challenges of studying for your degree? 

The highlight has literally been the degree itself! I have had the best time as a student, and especially at stage 3 where I have devised a range of projects that has meant a lot to me personally while also reaching an audience beyond the OCA.

The main challenge is working in isolation. Distance learning is great as you can fit it around your other commitments, but it can be difficult not to have people around you to bounce ideas off, and to learn techniques from. 

What are your hopes and aspirations for beyond the degree? 

I am in the process of applying for a practice based PhD so I can continue to develop as an artist and researcher. 

What advice would you give to current students and potential students?

Try to make the coursework and assignments work for you. They are guidelines and suggestions, not set in stone. If what they are asking for doesn’t feel quite right for you, reflect on why, and develop your own methods to achieve the desired outcome. Always document your choices though, for your own benefit as well as the tutors and assessors.

Studying by yourself can be lonely, so the online student community can be of great support. Turn up to as many group sessions as you can, to connect with other students. I have found their encouragement, support and suggestions invaluable.