Studying undergraduate illustration and graphic design I should not have been surprised at the assumption that the course made that we were all headed towards a career in big/in-house graphics studios, commercial publishing or editorial/advertising/marketing illustration. I should not have been surprised because this is where the money is in our industry, and this is our (or ‘hegemonic society’s’) general perception what illustration and graphic design is/can be. I would like to prove our subject (at least in an isolated sense) to be completely independent from capitalism/materialism, and beyond that, as a tool for criticism and potential dismantling/disassembling of the structures that hold capitalism in place. It is helpful to begin by considering the tendencies that we have (especially within art schools) to become obsessed with competition and self and ego, the way that we are so often taught/assessed involves a hyper individualist mentality where it feels like the most important quality to have is to be ‘cool’ and to be ‘commercially viable’. When we recognise this then we can begin to combat it and to think about how we can use our practice (and the breaking of moulds and false borders within it) to become a force for change and to better the lives of those around us.

Working in community arts solidified my belief that it was possible to remove myself from ‘my’ practice, it happened in a beautiful way that filled me with a kind of hope and meaning that I had never felt before in a place of work. I was able to use my skills and experience to help others achieve joy and confidence and agency from their own ability to create. 
I was so inspired by the artwork that was appearing around me and the authenticity of the artist’s creative processes.

Drawing is so often framed as a means to an end or a way to plan something that will then become more perfect…………CONTINUE