Graduate spotlight: Cornwall-based printmaker highlights the importance of resilience
05 October 2022
Since graduating from Fine Art BA(Hons) in 2021, Neve Clarke has worked hard to pursue a career in printmaking and thrive as an artist. This autumn, Neve will exhibit her current collection, He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, at Porthmeor Studios in St Ives. Ahead of the exhibition, we spoke to her about her experiences at and after Falmouth University.
What has your career journey been since graduating?
When I first graduated, I started getting mentored as a printmaking technician by artist John Howard in his riverside studio in Penryn. I started to learn in more depth about printmaking techniques and would help assist with workshops and classes. Continuing to be in a print studio since graduating really ignited my love of printmaking further and John’s support really encouraged me to continue to produce work.
This gave me the means to be able to produce my current collection He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, a series of abstracted floral etchings that will be exhibited at my solo exhibition at the Borlase Smart room, Porthmeor Studios from the 29 October - 12 November. To be able to exhibit somewhere steeped with such a prestigious history feels like such a privilege.
Earlier this year I also started working as a gallery associate for contemporary art gallery Livingstone St Ives, which sources and exhibits modern, contemporary art. Working in the gallery alongside continuing to work on my practice works really well for me and I love my job. It has allowed me to gain incredibly valuable industry experience.
What did you most enjoy about studying in Falmouth?
What I enjoyed most about studying at Falmouth would have to be using the printmaking facilities. I loved walking through the gardens on campus on my way to spend my days in the cosy print studio, experimenting and learning the art of printmaking. These are very cherished memories to me.
How did your course help you to develop the skills you needed for your industry?
The course allowed me to refine my practice and provided me with a greater understanding of the techniques and knowledge needed to work as an artist in the industry. This definitely made me more resilient and gave me the necessary skills needed to develop my practice after university.
What advice would you give to prospective and current students looking to enter the industry?
Be incredibly resilient. The transition from graduating into going into the industry is really challenging. For the best part of my first year since graduating, my time was spent working long hours in hospitality so that I could afford to spend time and money on developing my practice. I spent time networking, producing work and developing my practice whenever I had the chance. Eventually doing so led me to now working a job that I love alongside producing work for my arts practice most days.
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