‘What Does Your Soul Say?’ Extract from DIY MFA, 2022.
‘DIY MFA’ stands for 'Do It Yourself Masters Degree in Fine Art.’
For me, DIY MFA has been a process of rehabilitation and of transformation. I initiated my DIY MFA following the news of my Dad’s terminal cancer diagnosis in 2020. I did this because I knew I was going to need a creative structure to support me through the experience.
I took inspiration from the general structure of a university MFA course, bringing in mentors and creating a flexible programme structure and outcome objectives for graduation.
I set a curriculum and modules to complete including:
Development of studio practice
Research
An arts council application (successful or unsuccessful)
Collaboration
An exhibition
An essay project
An online document of the exhibition and essay.
✔ The exhibition for my DIY MFA was ‘What Does Life After Death Look Like?’
✔ The essay for my DIY MFA is entitled, ‘Once Upon A Time There Was An Exhibition.’
✔ The online document is this Life After Death Catalogue.
There were a number of reasons why I felt I was not in a position to take on an MFA at a university. I needed the freedom to work in a way that suited me and my circumstances, which included lockdown, finances, grief, mental health and neurodivergence.
I do not feel that a Masters Degree in Fine Art necessarily makes a person a 'master' of anything - it is an institutional title.
I have said that I will graduate my DIY MFA when I have published this catalogue, however, I still need time. I may decide to change the name of this process going forward.
I'd like to write more about this, but in the meantime, you can see below some things that I drew during my DIY MFA process.
‘Can I Throw Away The Idea Of Being An Artist?’
Extract from DIY MFA, 2023

DIY MFA Nov 2024

DIY MFA Nov 2024

DIY MFA Nov 2024

DIY MFA Nov 2024

Extract from DIY MFA 2021

Extract from DIY MFA 2021

Extract from DIY MFA 2021

Extract from DIY MFA 2022

Extract from DIY MFA 2022

Extract from DIY MFA 2022

Extract from DIY MFA 2023

Extract of DIY MFA 2023

Extract of DIY MFA 2023

Extract of DIY MFA 2023

Extracts of DIY MFA exhibited at 'What Does Life After Death Look Like?' 2023

Extracts of DIY MFA exhibited at 'What Does Life After Death Look Like?' 2023

Extracts of DIY MFA exhibited at 'What Does Life After Death Look Like?' 2023

Extract of DIY MFA 2023

Extracts of DIY MFA exhibited at 'What Does Life After Death Look Like?' 2023