James Iveson

On entering the lecture room I noticed a fresh faced young man pacing up and down nervously in front of the window. James Iveson, a post grad fine artist from Goldsmiths had come in to talk to us about his experience of being an 'emerging' artist fresh out of art school. The hour lecture James Iveson gave regarding his practice was very different to the previous weeks lecture, and I found it refreshing. Before us stood a young and slightly bewildered looking man who was obviously anxious about talking in front of an audience, all attributes that I could relate to.

He talked us through his journey since leaving university starting with his initial need for a studio space to enable him to continue his practice and also the importance of a studio space in relation to the artist. We were shown images of studios of the likes of Jackson Pollock and it was obvious how ones surroundings often dictate the art work created and how this was often as important as the art work itself. He illustrated this by explaining how his work had become more domesticated due to him moving in to 'live/work' accommodation where his art and his living situation became one thing.

The domesticated quality of his work became particularly apparent when he showed us his underpant paintings which had derived from his work space being constantly surrounded by clothes and fabric. It was interesting to see that, what he considers to be his most credible piece of art work, derived from a painting of a pair of pants.     
 
His main points of advice to us were to get experience collaborating with other artists or simply just helping other artists in order to form and maintain a network. To be resourceful in getting your work shown. And to set boundaries within your work, as this often encourages instant development.

   Red Boats