Introducing James
James Hunting is our new Curriculum Leader for the Textiles programme at OCA. We are delighted to have him join the team. James introduces himself here, and will be a regular blogger for us.
I graduated from Goldsmiths College in 1986, with a degree in textiles (embroidery). I then spent twenty years as a free lance textile embellisher within the commercial world, mainly in fashion and theatre. This enabled me to develop an understanding of stitch, embroidery, beadwork, as well as the importance of design, innovation and professionalism within any creative practice. I returned to the UK after ten years spent living in France, undertook a PGCE, and began teaching practice, first at Chichester College, then on a distance learning programme, freelance workshops and courses, and latterly in my role as the Degree Course Leader on the Hand Embroidery Degree offered at the Royal School of Needlework, London.
In 2006 I became the Embroiderers’ Guild Scholar, a life altering experience, which enabled me to reexamine my own creative practice, the commercial work having no personal, emotive contact with me. After a one man show at the Knitting and Stitching Show, I decided to begin my Masters in Contemporary Applied Craft at the University of Cumbria, during which I explored the mark making and linear qualities of stitch, I achieved a distinction in 2009.
I live in Brighton and continue to show my work at as many opportunities as possible. I am preparing shows in Europe for the end of 2012. My media of choice is textiles. I would not identify myself as soley an embroiderer but as an artist ready to explore combinations of materials and techniques. The sensuality of textiles, and the act of working with the hands underpins the work, the making process is as important as the outcome, allowing me to experience, relive and engage with the emotional content of my work. My current work explores the relationship between desire, longing, and isolation. The works are layered representations of experience. They rely on emotional responses awakened in the viewer, whilst fulfilling a personal need to explore and understand feelings and experiences.
My teaching is focussed on enabling the student to gain an ownership of appropriate techniques in order to use these techniques to make physical manifestations of ideas and emotions. The exchange between tutor and student is vital for both parties and that the experience must be challenging, enjoyable and, at times frustrating, in order to progress and develop. I am very excited by the opportunity offered by OCA. I feel that the unique delivery format offers the potential to build a truly innovative, contemporary and relevant experience that will unlock and create future textile practitioners.
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Welcome James. I’m a photography student but, regarding shows will you be putting anything on in Brighton at the beginning of November. There’s the Photography event going on then so quite a few of us will be coming down and it would be good to get to see your work as well.
Welcome James. I’m also a photography student but find your work very interesting. The combination of figurative elements and negative space is very intriguing – also the stains and textures of the material. I’m sure you’ll be a great addition to OCA.
Welcome! As one who researched many distance learning opportunities
and chose OCA in Textiles, I am thrilled to study with such
high caliber Professionals. Thanks to all of you for your
outstanding efforts, as exhibited by the fine student work I have seen. Looking forward to this journey.
Dear Felisa, many thanks for your kind comments ,we will now work together to make your journey as exciting, revelationary, supportive and creative as you wish it to be , James
Welcome, James. It’s great for me to say that, as I have only just enrolled on the course, so it’s my first communication to OCA. All the best in your new post.
Dear Sheila, many thanks, I am really looking forward to the opportunities the post offers in ensuring an exciting and supportive learning environment enables students to create and develop their potential, James
Welcome to you James and thank you for that wonderful vibrant introduction. I am part way through Textiles 1 and look forward to your input.
Welcome James, I am currently part way through printing 1 with the OCA. It’s good to see a tutor on line and to hear about your work. I would also like to know if you are exhibiting your work in Brighton as I live near to Brighton and would love to view it.
Welcome James. I’m currently doing Textiles 1 and look forward to following your blog posts on-line. Great to know we have someone with such experience joining the excellent team we already regularly hear from.
Welcome to OCA James, it will be interesting to be part of your journey for a while. I am starting with Textiles 1: A Creative Approach. I was just viewing the Textile Study Groups pages, so I looked up your profile. I absolutely loved the words in your artists statement …” an exploration into the process of making and marking ……awaiting the viewer’s personal and individual interpretation… “
I have felt that this was so pertinent to ones work, we have our own story to tell and it might be a very conscious process (am thinking of Bispo Do Rosario and his mission in stitch, or it might be an unconsciousness intuitive process, but the tactile quality of working with stitch and textiles I realize more and more is part of the story…. and awaits the viewers personal interpretation…
You say “..my teaching is focused on enabling the student to gain an ownership of appropriate techniques in order to use these techniques to make physical manifestations of ideas and emotions…” …I like it that you are encouraging the individual aspect of the course work, it is a difficult transition from learning a skill or technique and making it your own…
May I ask what is a curriculum leader? And how does your teaching reach out to the average OCA distance learner? Many thanks in anticipation.