Foundation Art and Design Students from Nelson and Colne College have been given a unique opportunity to showcase their work to an internationally recognised artist and author.
Suzanne Lacy, is a visual artist from Los Angeles whose prolific career includes performances, video and photographic installation, critical writing and public practices in communities. Her performances involve hundreds of performers and thousands of audience members. Her prestigious fellowships include the Guggenheim Foundation, The Henry Moore Foundation, and The National Endowment for the Arts. Lacy is currently the founding chair of the MFA in Public Practice at the Otis College of Art and Design.
Whilst in Lancashire for a university lecture at UCLAN, Suzanne was invited to see Mexican artist Georgianna C. Ainsworth’s installations at Northlight Mill in Brierfield as well as artwork developed by the College’s Foundation Art and Design students. She talked to each student individually about their work spending time looking and advising students about their installations and commenting on the importance of exhibiting work outside the college environment.
She commented on ‘The Last Man Standing,’ by 18-year-old Charlotte Dickinson which portrays Sky, the dog owned by the mill’s caretaker.
“It was fantastic to meet Suzanne and talk to her about some of her famous public art projects,” said Charlotte. “She was really interested in learning about our pieces and speaking to each of us about the thinking behind our artwork.”
The College’s Foundation Art and Design students have gained inspiration from the people, history and architecture associated with Northlight Mill for their installations which have been on display in the Mill.
“The students have been given two prestigious opportunities in meeting and discussing art with Suzanne and displaying their own work in an amazing venue,” said Cerise Ward, Foundation Art and Design Programme Leader. “Suzanne’s success in a wide range of mediums, including installation, video, public art, performance, photography and writing, is an inspiration to our students at the beginning of their careers and will hopefully encourage them to pursue their own ambitions in the industry.”
