What I studied at school
I took all of the creative GCSEs available at school.
I knew from an early age that I wanted to be an artist so this seemed like the natural choice. I wasn’t particularly academic as a young man however I can see how having more focus on academia would have benefitted me going forward. Saying that, I believe everyone comes into their own at their own rate, and once I finished school, when I was set research and written tasks on subjects that I was interested in, I soon began developing the skills necessary for critical thinking around my craft.
At GCSE I studied: English Literature, English Language, Maths, Triple Science, Art, Graphics, Design Technology and Electronics.
What I studied after school
I left school at sixteen to go to college where I studied a National Diploma in Art and Design and then progressed to do my foundation course before applying to university. Doing a foundation course is an advantage when applying for most art degrees. It will also allow you the freedom to explore your creative ideas and enable you to make a more informed choice before applying for a degree.
I first experienced working with ceramics on my foundation course. I took to throwing on the pottery wheel very quickly and soon built up the basic skills. I went on to study Ceramics at Camberwell College of Art as one of the last cohort of students before the ceramics course was closed in 2012. During my second and third years at university I undertook work experience with renowned artist and potter Julian Stair.
On graduating I went on to study as an apprentice to Julian Stair with the support of The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST). My QEST Scholarship provided me with a basic level of income for the first two years of my three year apprenticeship. In total I spent six years training before setting up my first independent studio at Cockpit Arts in South East London.