From Fine Art to Conservation
Graduation photo with dissertation book, photograph courtesy of my parents.
This summer, I graduated with a First-Class BA Hons in Fine Art from the University of Leeds, marking the end of an unforgettable journey that shaped me both as an artist and as an academic. As my life takes a new course, I wish to provide some updates to my readers about my recent experiences and future plans.
One of the highlights of my final year was the opportunity to delve deep into topics that I am genuinely passionate about. My dissertation, Redefining Perspectives: What Are the Perceptions and Responsibilities Associated with Cadmium Pigments, and Is There a Future for Them Within the Artist’s Palette?, allowed me to explore the intersection of art and science, focusing on cadmium pigments—both their historical significance and the ongoing concerns about their toxicity. The freedom to research pigments, a topic I’ve been fascinated with for years, made the experience incredibly rewarding, and the process deepened my appreciation for the materials artists rely on.
My final year wasn’t only defined by research, though. The degree show, Sardines, was a huge success and served as the perfect conclusion to my undergraduate experience. Organising the show alongside my peers taught me more than I could have imagined about collaboration and the logistics of exhibiting work on such a scale. The energy of the opening night—surrounded by hundreds of people and the collective work of my friends—was the perfect way to celebrate everything we had built together.
With my Bachelor’s degree behind me, I now sit in a new studio in Newcastle, miles away from Leeds, embarking on an exciting and fresh journey into the conservation of easel paintings. This new discipline demands a different kind of focus—one rooted in precision, care, and the technical aspects of art preservation. While my work is more methodical now, the sense of curiosity and drive that shaped my time in Leeds is still very much alive.
In addition to this shift, I’m also in the process of creating a photo book that details the progression of my artistic practice throughout my Bachelor’s, titled ‘Learning To See’. It’s a reflection on the often chaotic and disjointed nature of creative growth—a way to document those moments of experimentation and uncertainty that, in hindsight, contributed so much to my development.
As I move further into conservation, my content on here and my socials will inevitably shift as well. My focus will naturally begin to incorporate more of this new discipline, sharing my experiences and discoveries along the way. Yet, despite this new direction, I will always be an artist at heart. Conservation allows me to preserve the work of others, but I’ll continue to create my own. The materials may change, the techniques may evolve, but the creative spirit that defined my journey at Leeds will remain a constant.
Graduation day photo post-reception, Photograph by Fiona Blair.
I hope you all enjoyed this life update - thank you to those who have been following along on my journey and have seen not only myself but this website grow over the last two years. I am immensely grateful…
I look forward to sharing this new chapter with you all!
