Sound a little overwhelming? I know I would have been, if I had received such a fantastic opportunity at this stage in my Art education.
From the 2nd-4th March, the best of British and Chinese joined forces at the Long Museum for the GREAT Festival of Creativity. Leading practitioners throughout the creative industries met to share ideas and explore the importance creative innovation in industry. The event was also attended by HRH the Duke of Cambridge.
Renowned British artist Rana Begum, was in Shanghai for the event to make a live installation artwork commissioned by the UK Government Art Collection.
Andy You was the only Visual Art student in the whole of Shanghai to receive a private pass to the event, so that he could have the incredible experience of working collaboratively with Rana Begum and Penny Johnson, Director of the UK Government Art Collection, on the installation. Penny later remarked on Andy’s involvement:
‘We were very fortunate to have Andy working with Rana. He was a joy to work with – so helpful and nothing was too much trouble.’
The site-specific artwork used Hazard Tape as an art media to powerfully explore the concept of growth, structure and impermanence, through the use of layers, light and form encroaching on space.
The pair had to use their initiative to create an artwork with the resources available to them, that was responsive to their immediate context and all within only three days. The experience required the embodiment of the characteristics of the model IB Learner. The risks taken, perseverance required and the need to be open minded and communicate effectively throughout the installation process was absolutely necessary to make it such a success.
These characteristics are clearly serving Andy well. He has recently been recently awarded scholarship places on the following Fine Art Undergraduate Degree programs in the USA, where he has family and is hoping to continue his learning within the Visual Arts.
Pratt Institute, New York
School of Visual Arts, Boston (SVA)
School of Art Institute, Chicago (SAIC)
Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD)
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
Looking forward to hearing all about Andy’s ‘great’ achievements in the future, if this is any indication of what’s to come.