Title: White Knight Date: May 2007 Actual Dimensions: Lifesize Media: Calico

Title: Milton Keynes Piss Elegant Date: March 2007 Actual Dimensions: Lifesize Media: Textiles

Title: Troubador Date: February 2007 Actual Dimensions: Lifesize Media: Raw and tea dyed calico

B.A.Fine Art, September, 2001 - June, 2007
Website: www.mdmfineart.co.uk
email: mdm@talktalk.net

"I am currently becoming acclimatised to a life outside college, having spent six years doing a part time B.A, and two years Foundation prior to that! I will do an M.A., but probably not until 2008. I have been trawling the Internet for ideas and possible opportunities, and as a result have now placed images of work in several online galleries, most notably the Saatchi Gallery, and Online Galleries. I have had a few encouraging e-mails from various sources, and was ‘headhunted' by the ‘Brick lane Gallery'; someone there had seen my website, liked the work and asked me if I would like to exhibit.

I found the OCVC Foundation and B.A. courses invaluable. They were well structured, and the experience, knowledge and support from the tutors served to bring out the best in me. The courses were paced in a way that encouraged me to realise more ambitious works that I might not of otherwise have attempted, and my preconceived ideas about what constituted a work of art were definitely changed for the better.

My time at the college was time well spent. I had the opportunity to try different disciplines, jewellery, woven textiles, screen printing and etching for example, and it soon became apparent where my real strengths lay, namely three dimensional work. My making skills were actively encouraged, and I was able to realise work that I am still very proud of.

Making larger scale or more complex work was one of the highlights, and the subsequent response for one such module were a real confidence boost for me. I remember screen printing, cutting, sewing and assembling scores of ‘bullet wound flowers' for an installation, all the while wondering whether the repetitive nature of the separate processes involved would ever end. It did end, and the sense of achievement when it was finally exhibited was well worth the effort. Other highlights were the Seminar Presentations, all of which served to make me more confident about standing in front of a group of people. My early presentations were plagued by nerves, but my confidence grew as the course progressed. It was a valuable experience for me. The Graduation year is undoubtedly the real highlight for me, mainly because I really felt I was ‘cooking with gas'. I gave it my all, and the work I was making seemed to be coming together well. It was testing in the sense that a year is a long time to sustain a single body of work, but for the same reason, something of a luxury. I enjoyed my time on the course tremendously."