Panel discussion: Sustaining artistic practice

Join us for an evening of discussion led by a panel of artists and arts professionals, as they share their advice on navigating the art world and sustaining creative careers beyond university.

Panellists include Natasha MacVoy, artist and Spike Island studio holder; Priyesh Mistry, Associate Curator of Modern & Contemporary Projects at the National Gallery, London; and Hannah Rose, Sector Support Manager at Visual Arts South West (VASW); hosted by Dr Steven Paige, Senior Lecturer & Programme Leader of MA Fine Art at UWE Bristol.

The panel discusses different models of artistic practice, exploring the challenges and opportunities for professional development in the region.

This event is open to all artists and creative practitioners looking to build or extend your practice and networks, whether you’re just graduating or you’re looking to make a change in your creative career.
Following the discussion, join us for drinks, networking and a chance to see UWE BA Fine Art degree show at Spike Island’s UWE Fine Art Studios. Find out more about the degree show here.

This event is organised in partnership with UWE Bristol.
Natasha MacVoy

Natasha MacVoy’s sculptural practice includes murals, ceramics, writing, performance and film to create installations and environments. Her work is a generous, gentle and complex study of mothering, identity, loss, gain and unconditional love through the lens of neurodiversity. In her practice she explores adaptive care and education in a broken system, expertise as protection and hope through radical connection.

MacVoy has an MFA from UWE Bristol (2009), and is co-facilitator of ebc’s Day School 2024-25 with artist Harriet Bowman. MacVoy is a longstanding member of Spike Island Associates and EOP with Eastside Projects, Birmingham. She is also one of ten artists recently selected for Syllabus VII, 2024-25 with Wysing Arts Centre and partners.

Recent exhibitions include, Eye Witness (2024), solo show at Exeter Phoenix; U & I, (2023), solo presentation at Eastside Projects, Birmingham; Mum! Mum! (2023), moving image commission, Exeter Phoenix; OUTPOST Members’ Show (2022), Norwich; Blush (2022), ASC Gallery, London; tibrO yalP (2022), g39, Cardiff; My Kid Could’ve Done That (2021), The Edge Arts, Bath.

Priyesh Mistry

Priyesh Mistry is Associate Curator of Modern & Contemporary Projects at the National Gallery, London where he manages an ambitious programme to connect contemporary art with its historic collections through artists residencies and contemporary commissions, most recently with Céline Condorelli, Nalini Malani and Ali Cherri. Previously, he was Assistant Curator, International Art at Tate Modern where he specialised on art from South Asia for the collection and numerous exhibitions and commissions.

Mistry is a Trustee of Studio Voltaire, a member of the Faculty of Fine Arts at the British School at Rome and the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group led by the Mayor of London’s office.
Hannah Rose

Hannah Rose is a Plymouth-based artist, curator and producer, and currently Sector Support Manager for Visual Arts South West (VASW). In her role as Sector Support Manager, Hannah works strategically to support the needs of the Visual Arts community in the South West.

Hannah established and was Curator of MIRROR at Arts University Plymouth from 2006-24. Through her role she specialised in supporting artists to develop new work, establishing the biennial project, The South West Showcase (2013-24). SWS supports artists from the region with a year’s worth of mentoring, culminating in an exhibition of their work.
Hannah is one half of the artist duo LOW PROFILE, working collaboratively with Rachel Dobbs since 2003. LOW PROFILE'S practice is centred on people. They develop artworks in response to specific contexts and situations, carefully shaping each element from the point of experience – positioning audiences at the heart of what they do. Recent partnerships include GROW Plymouth and city-wide community partners; as well as commissions for The Box, Plymouth, In Certain Places & The Harris Museum, Preston, and The National Trust.

LOW PROFILE relocated to Plymouth in 2005 with the express interest of supporting the development of visual arts in the city, which at that point in time they recognised as being hugely underserved and under-resourced. As artists they have driven artist-led activity in the city, creating a culture of self-organising, resilience and establishing platforms to show and support their work and that of others including PL:ay (2007); Come to Ours (2011); Jamboree (2015 and 2018) and CAMP (2019).

Dr Steven Paige

Dr Steven Paige is an Anglo-American artist, researcher and educator, whose creative practice investigates re-interpretations of physical and digital archival accounts and activity, both real and imagined. His practice spans lens-based works, installation, performance, photography, and print.

Paige has also worked with artists across the region, setting up PAC Home Artist Associates Programme at Plymouth Arts Centre in 2010, and as part of the Artist’s Council, Artist Newsletter 2015-2019. In 2016/17 he was awarded an AHRC/British Council Kluge Research Fellowship in the Moving Picture Library Collections at the Library of Congress, Washington DC, USA as part of his PhD research. His recent solo exhibitions include Meeting the Archive, Mirror Gallery, Plymouth in 2019 and in June 2023 he was the Archive Research Resident at the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, New York, USA.

Paige is currently a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader of MA Fine Art, University of West England, UK.

www.stevenpaige.com

Host or Publisher Spike Island