Finding Patterns is 10 years old in April and it seemed like a good time to write a birthday talk. Inspiration arrived last autumn when physics teacher Mr Brittain emailed an invitation to speak to the sixth form students at his school. When I asked what he wanted me to do, he reflected and said, ‘I’d like you to liberate them.’
‘From what?’, I asked. Mr Brittain sketched a list of 10 things that may be imprisoning his students. They included things like: The artificial subject divisions through which we see the world; Ideas and values about what a good career is; And the standardised milestones related to study and personal development, when every student is unique.
Two audiences heard “Our Universe” on the 25th February - the lower sixth form students of Lady Eleanor Holles School and attendees at the Crick Imperial Postgraduate Symposium. I enjoyed very much their interesting questions.
During the last 10 years I have had the freedom to ask questions about things I have felt curious about, and experiment with finding new ways to talk about those ideas. Working this way has bought meaning to my knowledge and motivation to my artwork. This talk is a perfect opportunity to take stock. My aim is to share a little of how I now see the world. It is faceted, a colourful rainbow of perspectives. I hope you enjoy the journey.