Oxford Demystified - Fine Art

By she/herobrine @Oxford Mum

Why did you want to study your subject?

I’ve always had an interest in art, saying that though, I never thought it was something I wanted to do with my life. I studied it at GCSE and A Level and was told I had talent in the subject, so it was something I felt like I was expected to do. I still really enjoyed looking at art and reading about art, but the pressure I felt to create something amazing (mostly from myself) stopped me from creating at all. I was still unsure about what to do after A Levels, but I knew I wanted to do something creative, so I went on a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design to experiment and figure it out. I chose to specialise in Fashion and apply for Fashion Design that year. I got rejected by all the unis I wanted to go to and once again I felt lost. I decided to take the year out and think about what I really wanted to do.

Turns out doing nothing for months didn’t feel as good as I thought it would, but it made me realise that I actually missed creating art. I also realised I actually liked being academically challenged, and I wanted to incorporate this into an art career. So, with a few months left before the deadline, I decided to apply to Oxford for Fine Art. I couldn’t use any of the work I did during my Fashion course in my portfolio so I had to create a bunch of new work that I felt represented me. I looked at all the art I loved, thought about what I wanted my art to say, and for the first time in years, I actually created art that I loved and was proud of. A lot of people say that degrees in art are useless, but I was excited to go into a creative environment with people who were like-minded, where my ideas could be challenged and, most importantly, where I could create art for myself.

I refound my passion for art when I reconnected with the reason why I was creating it in the first place. I chose to study Fine Art because I wanted to explore new ways of thinking and creating, integrate academic study into my practice and use it to speak my voice, get guidance and mentorship, and work in a community of creative people.

Why Oxford?

I first started thinking about Oxford back during my A Levels but it was more of a daydream than an actual plan. Since I applied a year after I got my results, I knew that I had the grades to get in which made me a bit more confident in applying. I visited a friend in Oxford and realised how beautiful the city really was and could totally imagine myself there; I’m someone who feels quite overwhelmed in a major city and who loves the countryside so Oxford felt like a good balance for me. I’m also someone who likes learning and one of the problems I had first had about studying art was the possibility of me being bored painting in a studio all day (although now I realise that is far from the truth for a lot of unis), so with Oxford having a reputation for being a challenge, it felt worthwhile (I’ll probably regret that later). Specifically, the course had aspects I was interested in, like history of art and anatomy. There is also the obvious statement that it is one of the best regarded universities in the world and rated number one in the UK for art currently. It thought I might as well apply instead of regretting that I never did.

Did any of your teachers inspire you? Or any other expert (TV presenter etc)

Teacher-wise, not really. I felt supported by a lot of my teachers and I knew that they wanted me to succeed, but I don’t remember ever being inspired by them. Other people in the arts may relate to the fact that I thought that art was somewhat of a neglected subject in school, and my circumstances meant I never really went on trips to museums and galleries (this was something I was always scared I would be asked about in interviews). This means that I got most of my inspiration from online sources, in my case mostly Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest. All of the artists I love and admire today I discovered online and I honestly don’t think I would be where I am today if I didn’t have all this amazing art available at my fingertips to inspire me. Specifically, the work of Rae Klein and Phil Hale have really influenced my art in the past year and will most likely continue to do so.

Which resources did you use (please name as many as possible) Which books/journals did you read? Which did you like best, and why? What did they teach you?

The only resource I mentioned during my application to Oxford was Gender Trouble by Judith Butler which is specific to my interests rather than art in general, but there are other resources I used as wider reading whilst I was figuring out what art meant to me. I read Concerning the Spiritual in Art by Wassily Kandinsky and Create Dangerously by Albert Camus which made me think about why we create art and its purpose. Reading about this made me think about what art meant and does for me, which is really important to me in creating art that I love and want to put out into the world.

I think that it’s important to provide context in your application/interview so that they can see that you want to learn and take your artistic practice to a new level above school directed study. However, my advice would be don’t get stuck on the idea that you have to read loads, after all I only ever mentioned one book and I got a place. Solidify what you already know whilst showing your curiosity. Applying for art is different to other subjects so despite the fact that it’s Oxford and they expect personal direction and learning, the most important thing in my opinion is that you know your art well and show potential for learning and growth.

To get back on topic, I did a lot of research on why I wanted to study art (not specifically relating to Oxford) which I did by watching videos by artists on YouTube and even talking to artists online to get their personal opinion since everyone’s reasons and circumstances will be different. I wanted to know that it was going to be worthwhile and not a waste of time like a lot of people say a Fine Art degree is. This research helped me decide that an art degree was something I really wanted to do and that it would in fact be good for my growth, both as a person and as an artist.

While some are not specific to Oxford, I watched videos from these channels on YouTube:

-Tomas Folan Hascici (talks about what an art degree is like, pros and cons etc. as well as other topics like how to take criticism)
-Adam Duff (talks about his experiences as an artist, e.g. why artistic growth can feel painfully slow, and is very inspiring when you feel stuck)
-Melisa Ince(talks about what her Oxford interview was like)

I started being cautious after a while about watching videos of other people sharing their portfolios on YouTube because I was intimidated by how good/well put together their art was and I started to feel like I should be doing mine differently. I just told myself they want to see my personality in my work and if my work was influenced by other people’s it wouldn’t seem genuine and I wouldn’t feel a connection to it, meaning that when I would go talk about it, it wouldn’t seem passionate or personal. Basically, show off your best skills, have fun with it, and be yourself, they want to see you’re curious and will try out different things.

Did you attend any lectures, or take part in any competitions? If so, would you recommend them, and why?

The only thing I did was an art competition in my school which I won, but I don’t credit getting a place to that. If you have a chance to do any lectures or competitions, take it, but don’t worry if you don’t. I worried a lot that I didn’t have enough experience to show I was engaged in the art world, so I decided instead to say that it was something I wanted to do and looked forward to doing in the future, using it as an opportunity to say why I thought uni was what I wanted to do. Art is very personal so use your personal experiences as an advantage.

Did you have any work experience? If so, how did you find it?

No, and this was also something I was scared would limit my application, but obviously it didn't. Maybe with other subjects this is important, but I wouldn’t say it is with Fine Art. If you have work experience and it relates to art, then great, but if you don’t, just focus on something else. I mentioned how I got to see the professional aspect of art through doing commissions and that following what someone else’s brief made me realise how important it is that my art is personal to me. Ultimately, just be yourself.

Did you have a specialist subject/EPQ? What was it? How did you go about your research?

No, I decided that it would be too stressful for me and take a toll on my other subjects. Also, when I was doing my A Levels I wasn’t applying to uni, in fact I didn’t even know what I wanted to do, so it didn’t seem purposeful at the time.

What did you mention in your personal statement and why?

I started with an introduction on what art meant to me and why I wanted to study it. I then spoke about my Foundation, how I grew and what I learnt over the course.
The main chunk of it was on the things that inform my artistic practice. I focus my art on social issues that are personal to me so I did some reading around this to gain academic context. This is specific to my interests and not art in general but in my personal statement I talked about Gender Trouble by Judith Butler like I mentioned before (really insightful if you’re interested in gender theory) which I was introduced to in my Media A Level. I also talked about the ideas I learnt during my Psychology A Level and how they relate to my art (if your other subjects don’t relate to your art then I wouldn't bother).
I then mentioned what doing commissions has taught me and the competition I won, then concluded with a short paragraph on why university is the best next step in my career.

I felt very intimidated writing my personal statement because of the other one’s I had read where people have loads of books, work experience or gallery visits that they talk about, but I focused on what I did know and my strong points, and most importantly (even though it’s cliché) passion and personality. You shouldn’t be trying too hard, be honest, be yourself and believe that you are enough. I wanted to get in knowing that I got in being myself, and if they didn’t like it, screw them, it’s obviously not where I was supposed to go.

Which techniques did you use for the entrance test?

This isn’t applicable for me, even though there is a practical test, it was cancelled this year due to covid so luckily I got out of it.

How did you choose your college? Did you go to an open day and if so, did it help you to decide?

I initially put a lot of thought into this and got nowhere so I decided to just go with one that I thought looked good and was fairly close to the centre where one of the Ruskin buildings is. I also used this college suggester where you input what is important to you in a college and it suggests the best ones for you.

https://apply.oxfordsu.org/colleges/suggester/

I ended up picking Worcester which is where I got accepted, because it had green areas and good library facilities.

Unfortunately, I didn’t go to an open day because they were all cancelled this year, but as someone who comes from a working class background I’d be happy living in any one of the colleges so it didn’t affect my choice too much.

How did you find the interview process?

I’m sure you’ve probably heard this plenty of times, but just as the interview was about seeing if I was right for Oxford, it helped me to confirm that it was right for me. Obviously I was very nervous before and during the whole thing, but it helped to keep telling myself that if I got rejected it was because it wasn’t the right place for me. It may sound like I was sure of myself, but I honestly thought I would go in and my brain would collapse and I would be unable to answer any questions, or even worse, that they wouldn't like my art (which was stupid looking back because they must have liked something about my art for me to get to the interview stage). Once again in my life I had to remind myself that my art is for me and if other people like it too, that’s a bonus. Another part of me was actually excited that I was getting an opportunity to talk to serious artists and they were asking about my work! As scared as I was, I was still amazed that I even got that far.

Now to the interview itself, which I thought was mediocre. I panicked and talked about a piece of work that had very limited context, that I hadn’t prepared to talk about or even thought about in a critical way before. Obviously they then asked me questions about it which I had no answers to, so I thought about them on the spot and came up with the best I could and even admitted that it was something I would think about in the future because I hadn’t put much thought into it before. When they asked something about a piece I had prepared a lot on, I lost my train of thought and missed out loads of key details that I’d wanted to talk about. I felt like an imposter who couldn't even talk about their own work and I still didn’t think I was worthy of a place. I’m sure this is a common feeling that other applicants have and it still feels a bit like that now even though I’ve been accepted.

However, when I thought about the interview when it was over I realised that they were asking exactly the type of questions that I needed to consider in order to push my art further, and that was why I wanted to go to university in the first place. They wanted to see that I would work well in a tutorial environment where I would be asked those kind of questions and develop my work from them. The fact that I got an interview showed that they were seriously considering me as a student there; they already liked my work and what I spoke about in my personal statement, so all I had to do was continue being myself and let them make their decision. The tutors don’t expect you to be perfect, they're looking for breadth of engagement and curiosity. Just make it easier on yourself and prepare what you want to talk about beforehand.

Any interview tips?

-Prepare what pieces you want to talk about and what you’re going to say about them. I would think about what you could say about all of them just in case.

-Be honest, it’s your art and you can say whatever you want about it because you know it the best.

-Treat it as a good opportunity to gain insight on your work and have a conversation with other artists, as well as find out if Oxford is right for you and ask any questions you want to know.

-If you are told who you are being interviewed by, it might help to look them up and just see what they’re about. As an autistic person this helped me because I got to see who I would be talking to which made me more comfortable about it. I’m not saying you should cater what you say depending on who is interviewing you, it just helped me see that these people were just people passionate about art like me, instead of these scary anonymous interviewers, which made it less intimidating.

-Reread your personal statement so you’re prepared if they ask you anything about it.

-Don’t try and force anything to seem intelligent, for example talking about an artist or a book if you don’t know much about it. You shouldn’t have to memorise something to be able to talk about it, it should be natural because that’s what truly interests you or is truly what your art is about. This goes for trying to make a piece of work really deep when it isn’t.

-Don’t feel pressured to ask questions. You should think of questions that you want to ask beforehand, but they should be questions that you wouldn’t be able to find the answer to on their website, otherwise it shows that you haven’t done the basic research of the course, college, or uni that is expected of you when you apply. For example, don’t ask about the structure of the course, instead ask how a particular aspect of the course would benefit you.

Did you socialise during interview week? If so, what did you do?

No because the interviews were online due to covid. I wish I got a chance to go down and get the full experience, but it worked out well in the end.

How did you feel after the interviews?

I won’t say much because I talked about this a lot when I talked about the interview process, but afterwards I felt quite deflated. It’s weird to say but to be honest I felt quite pathetic that I’d spent so much of my time stressing out about something that culminated in 30 minutes of casual conversation. Initially, I thought I’d flunked it and ruined my chances, but when I started to think about it, I realised the conversation had actually been very engaging and thought provoking. Because of that, I now knew that university was right for me and no matter where I went it would be worthwhile. I started to regain a bit of hope that they actually thought I was worth a place there and decided I wouldn’t think about it from then on because what was done was done.

Despite that, I still stressed about it because I realised that I didn’t really want to go to any of my other choices and I contemplated whether I would go to uni at all if I didn’t get accepted at Oxford. I’m a “take them as they come” kind of person, so I still hadn’t decided when I got the news that I’d been accepted. I’m glad (and still surprised) it all worked out in the end.

Where were you when you got your offer? How did you react?

I didn’t know what time to expect the news so I checked my emails sometime after midnight and when I saw nothing, had a quick google to see what time I should expect it - around 9am. I wanted to go to sleep as soon as possible so I wasn’t lying awake tormenting myself, so I meditated and went to sleep feeling surprisingly calm about it all. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason so I knew that if I was rejected, then that was just the path I was going to take.

I woke up early (which never happens) to no reply so I just lay around playing a game on my phone until I had a UCAS notification pop up. I didn’t want to be lying in bed in my pyjamas when I got rejected because I would probably just cry myself back to sleep, so I put my phone down, jumped up, got dressed, and casually walked downstairs to sit down with my Mum on the sofa. When I opened it, it took a good few seconds for me to register what it even said. My Mum sat there impatiently saying “Well??” and I said “Yes!”. It was so strange to be saying that after convincing myself that I wasn’t good enough. They wanted me? My Mum started crying, my older brother started crying, my little sister started crying, everyone except me! It was still not really hitting me yet that I was going to Oxford and what that really meant. I shouldn’t have been surprised though, I didn’t cry when I received my GCSE, A Level, or Foundation results, so maybe I’m just not a cryer.

Are you looking forward to coming up to Oxford?

Yes! I’m in a great position to have already achieved the results I need to get in and that takes (most) of the stress away. Oxford is such a beautiful city and I can’t wait to live there, meet new people, do art, and learn so much. Saying that, I’m also nervous about a lot of things. I’ll be living away from home for the first time and because I’m so close to my family that’s going to be hard for me. I’m going to have to get used to criticism if I want my work to develop, and I’m going to be taken out of my comfort zone a LOT (especially because of my autism and anxiety), but I have big aspirations and it’s going to have to happen at some point in order for me to live the life I want to live and grow as a person. After years of not knowing where life will take me, I can finally say that I’m ready for all the challenges it’s going to throw at me.

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 1

Oxford Mum

history of art interview questions:

https://www.oxfordinterviewquestions.com/questions/history-of-art/#:~:text=History%20of%20Art%20Interview%20Questions&text=Are%20they%20good%20or%20bad,more%20valuable%20than%20visual%20images%3F

youtubes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IJkuH2zTaY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBfULdk9fRE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubZPZFrjBMM

Reply 2

Oxford Mum

I loved reading this highly interesting and unusual chapter @millsinapiccle

At first you studied art because it was expected of you (which stopped your creativity for a while) but then you came back to it and really started cooking on gas!

Even though this seems a highly practical subject, you also relish the academic side of the Oxford degree, and love to be amongst other creative people. This is great because it's fascinating not only meeting the amazing tutors, but other students, who are right at the top of the tree in their own respective fields. It makes conversations in hall very interesting!

Even more amazing, you applied for other unis and got rejected from all of them, yet Oxford accepted you! This will be very heartening for some @Nevarty

I have also seen this as well from other personal statements. For example I have read a statement from a graduate medical student who was rejected from all her other choices, yet got into Oxford!

Reply 3

Oxford Mum

Another thing I love about this chapter (and I am only part way through it) is that you just had a punt on applying for Oxford. It is not a "do or die" aim. I love this "I might as well apply" attitude. If only more people were like this!!

I am surprised that Oxford is the best art school in the UK, but it's great to know! It's also very intriguing that anatomy is part of the course.

It's interesting to note that my son (a medic) is also very interested in art (it was his best subject at school) and has some of Leonardo Da Vinci's drawings hanging on his wall (copies I might add) :s-smilie:

I also love the Oxford small city feel - you can almost put it in your pocket.

Reply 4

Oxford Mum

If ever anyone says they want to study art at Oxford I tend to advise "go to art galleries". You have just turned that rather narrow perception on its head.

For one thing, you can't go to galleries during Covid but brilliantly, you have been able to look at, and even speak to, artists online.

I was quite amazed that you mention "Create Dangerously" by Camus. When I think of Camus, I tend, as a linguist, to think of La Peste. How interesting!

Again for Oxford you need to be reflective. You are not just "looking at pictures", but you are considering what art means and does for you. You are an avid researcher (like all Oxford offer holders!) You are intellectually curious and want to "try out different things". It's that academic bravery that wins you brownie points at Oxford.

Reply 5

Oxford Mum

I love your individuality, which is so very "Oxford". You produce your art to please yourself, and you are a leader, not a follower. I respect that.

It's also about having faith in yourself. "Be yourself and believe that you are enough".

Reply 6

Oxford Mum

And we now come to the interview, with the typical panicking, feeling mediocre, not answering as your best self.

Sounds like a typical Oxford interview! :wink:

You also felt like an imposter... if you do now, wait til you get to Oxford. You will soon get used to it, though.

Reply 7

Oxford Mum

Other Oxford candidates, please take note of this

"I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason so I knew that if I was rejected, then that was just the path I was going to take." :adore:

I love the story of your Mum and siblings all sitting there crying on the sofa, with you cool as a cucumber.

Typical Oxford student, you were surprised they wanted you. No, they have not made a mistake!

Reply 8

Oxford Mum

You are ending this chapter on a real high! You want to grow and are ready for the challenge.

Oxford welcomes you.

Reply 9

she/herobrine

Thank you so much @Oxford Mum for reaching out to me and asking me to write this chapter, it's been incredibly reflective and helped the whole thing sink in. I'm actually going to Oxford! I hope other people applying for Fine Art at the Ruskin may find use out of it, it seems to be a rare topic on here and I struggled a lot having very little information to go on throughout my application (so if you're reading this and happen to be in the same position, don't hesitate to message me and ask anything).

Original post by Oxford Mum

It's interesting to note that my son (a medic) is also very interested in art (it was his best subject at school) and has some of Leonardo Da Vinci's drawings hanging on his wall (copies I might add) :s-smilie:

Yes! Oxford is one of the few (if not, the only one) of the universities where the fine artists study anatomy and collaborate with the school of medicine! It's rare to see such a focus on technique as most fine art courses are very independent study based. I can't wait to see what it'll be like.

Keep doing your thing!