Meet the Artist

On Saturday my supervisor and I had our first meeting with Ruark Lewis at his studio. We had to discuss which works he will display in the up-coming exhibition, as well as lock in dates for public programs so that the marketing dept. could print the ads and invites. We also needed to discuss what the programs would be and how involved Lewis wanted to be in the process.

Prior to the meeting I read Lewis' Precis, as well as conducted some bio research and research into pieces written about his practice. I found the writing about his works quite difficult to fully understand, as he works quite collaboratively, using text, language, performance, history and narrative throughout.

Upon meeting him everything became clear. He was extremely generous with his time (given his health concerns) and willing to share the journey, practice, meanings, intentions, stories (just about everything) behind the making of EVERY SINGLE artwork he has created! As he has been creating since the early 1980s, it was a lot! It was amazing to hear this one-on-one from the artist himself, as it definitely gave me a much better insight into the concepts of the works.

When my supervisor told Lewis that I was going to use his works to help me explore ways to engage young people with deeper understanding and appreciating of contemporary art, he was very happy to share even more! He showed me some preparatory sketches and models and the finished works. He was also quite happy for me to have a look around his studio and take some photos (Sorry, but I can't show any here until the exhibition is up). It was a fantastic meeting which lasted a little over 3 hours. Hearing the stories behind the conceptual development of his works was really beneficial and is helping me to write the biographical and art historical/ critical information to accompany the education kit for the exhibition. It was also fantastic for my research paper (as long as it is used in the kit or publication). Lewis would have kept talking well into the night if we didn't have to leave. I think my supervisor regretted telling Lewis about my paper as he spent most of the time talking to me and not so much time on the logistical information for his exhibition.

I really enjoyed this experience. It is my first of it's kind and has made me realise just how much I would enjoy working with artists and doing this 'for real'... While I do still really enjoy teaching, this meeting (as well as having two full 8hr days of parent/ teacher interviews last week) has made me consider a change earlier than I had expected.