My Own Personal Statement

There isn’t a time I can remember when I haven’t had an intense appreciation of art and expressed myself creatively. I realised that I wanted to study History of Art when I began to learn about many different aspects of the world through art, as well as using it as a multi-faceted indication of both the artist and the respective social and economic climates. Holbein’s ‘The Ambassadors’ (1533) is so much more than an artist’s representation of two individuals; it displays the religious turmoil of the time, indicated by smaller elements in the painting such as a broken lute string - a common allegory of religious discord. After seeing this painting in the National Gallery, I began to lust for the why in order to satisfy my admiration of all art. It was at this moment that art transformed, from something that was providing for me, into a tool that taught me about the world and human behaviour. I am someone who thrives on human interaction and studying this, when expressed visually, has become my fascination.
I have been fortunate enough to to study History of Art along with Art and Economics and the artistic influences combined with the business element is how I would like to see my career progress. The History of Art Pre-U was a course that allowed me to fully explore my own interests in the subject, I chose to investigate the relationship between Andy Warhol and the Abstract Expressionists. Two very important styles stemming mainly out of one city at the same time. At first they seemed to be so different but in fact they were more connected than I had ever imagined. I took a short placement at Sotheby’s to further my understanding of art’s role as a commodity. Whilst I enjoy my own artistic endeavours, especially print making, I see art like a language where everyone’s translation is different. 
In my own artwork I endeavoured to create a unique style by studying artists such as Robert Rauschenberg, whose recent exhibition at Tate Modern allowed me to investigate him to such a degree that I felt I could uncover his process of creation, and for this I was awarded the Lady Morse Art prize. His artwork ‘Black Market’ (1961) transform’s everyday and mundane objects into a collection of colour and form. A black wooden suitcase sits on the floor connected by a string to the panel, breaking the conventional picture plane and inviting the viewer to question the authenticity. In writing something that can be meticulously and visually translated and in Leo Steinberg's essay ’Other Criteria’ (1972) he describes his work ‘indexing the movement from nature to culture.’ I have a particular interest in modern art due to the diverse range of interpretations such as Steinberg’s. Michael Craig-Martin’s ‘Oak Tree’ in its physical form is a glass of water on a glass shelf, the accompanying text however is what allows it to embody the form of an oak tree in the viewer’s mind, and it is in the same powerful psychological way that my passion for art historical literature springs. 
At school I was involved with the school magazine, this allowed me to further explore the relationship of literature and artwork, something that I enjoyed compiling immensely. I was also deeply involved with the Kenneth Clarke Society and gave a presentation every year on a different aspect of Art History. 
Outside of art, I was previously a member of the RAF cadet force and played for the 1st XI hockey team. I am a keen actor both as an extra in films and playing roles in the theatre. Completing my LAMDA level one certificate with distinction. Space has always been important for me and I studied extensively the International Space Station and the Soyuz Capsule at school. I believe my academic rigour and love of the subject has found the perfect home in history of art and I am keen to continue my study of this discipline to degree level.