History of Art Personal Statement
An unplanned stumble into the National Gallery when I was 15 revealed to me a world of artistry that has fascinated me ever since. The ways in which impossibly old sculptures provide commentary of prehistoric civilization, or how a tent appliquéd with names gives a controversial insight into its artist's life, are endlessly intriguing. There is so much to learn about art and a degree in its history is the best way of comprehension.
From the fascism of the Futurists to the conceptualism of Kosuth, I find modern art politically charged and philosophically rich. Recently reading 'What Art Is' by Arthur C. Danto has helped me to understand how artists have responded to aesthetics and the notion of beauty. The book led me to research artists such as Piero Manzoni who have dismantled artistic conventions through works like 'Artist's Breath' and George Grosz, with his anti-bourgeois and satirical paintings, ultimately enabling me to examine art through more contextual approaches. I am excited by the prospect of studying further perspectives, especially those with a societal focus and enquire into the ontology of art. While my interests lie mainly in Modernism, I have found great joy in looking at its traditional predecessors through my Art History A-Level. Studying John Berger's critique of the European portrayal of women was fascinating, prompting me to look at art analytically and thoughtfully, skills that have been fostered by my study of texts in English Literature and ethical modules in Religious Studies. Recently studying Clement Greenberg has transformed my understanding of artworks not only as creations, but as processes that have their own autonomy, separate from their artists. Both critics have inspired my independent reading of more artistic discourse. 'Feminist Aesthetics' by Gisela Eckler poses art as a utopian outlet, furthering my knowledge of feminist art history. My interests in artists such as Judy Chicago, whose recent exhibition I found to beautifully examine art and society as male monopolies, is underpinned by co-running my college's inaugural feminist group, with my efforts in our refugee campaign awarded by a Jack Petchey.
My studies so far have been very Eurocentric and at university, I hope to develop my understanding of non-Western art. A summer school at the Courtauld gave me both an ASDAN award and a taste of art history with a global focus, looking at Islamic antiquity - a field that engages me due to my dual heritage. It reinforced my goal as a curator, a goal that arose from helping to curate an exhibition at the Islington Museum. This experience was invaluable as it exposed to me how the display of art can be played with, as well as strengthening my collaborative skills. My time volunteering at Somerset House has given me the scope to observe the complexity of art, ranging from the spectator, to the critic, to the curator. These relationships are ones I would love to explore in more detail. The role of the creator is one I personally dabble with, often writing poetry, painting and planning hypothetical installations.
I take advantage of London's rich art culture. A recent Saatchi exhibition that celebrated mortality was harrowingly explicit, but deepened my understanding of curation. A display at the Tate Modern earlier this year that documented conflict led me to view art as a raw and direct channel of history, but provoked me to question the objective and subjective narratives art can provide. I hope that through reading Art History will come a stimulating insight into how art has evolved from mere sketches on cave walls to its transformation into a limitless medium - but these are only a few of the ideas I am curious to unravel.
Universities Applied to:
University of Edinburgh (History of Art) - Offer (ABB) Firm
University of Glasgow (History of Art) - Offer (AAB)
University of Exeter (Art History and Visual Culture) - Offer (AAB)
University of Leeds (History of Art) - Offer (ABB)
University of Leicester (History of Art) - Offer (Unconditional) Insurance
Grades Achieved:
History of Art (A2) - A*
Religious Studies (A2) - A*
English Literature (A2) - B
Maths (AS) - U
