The Wednesday Guest Lecture
November 17th 2021
Second year, Willow Fisher
London based contemporary artist Mimi Hope was the guest speaker for the seventh Wednesday Guest Lecture of this semester. I found the overall structure of this lecture very informative, with a clear start, middle, and end (present day work). I prefer this chronological approach to representing artistic practices than jumping back and before, I find linear formats easier to understand. Introducing herself to us she gave an overview of her upbringing and how that influenced her current practice. Growing up in a creative household with her mother being involved with musical theatre Mimi had access to the creative environment quite early in her life. I think this is significant as it introduced her from a young age of the creative possibilities available to those that are interested, shaping her into the artist she is today.
Mimi revealed that whilst studying art at school she was only ever educated within the painting side of art making, and it was only later when she went onto her foundation course and university that she was enabled to explore her artistic practice. Up until then she had only painted, sculptural work and installation work were almost alien to her. I see similarities between her and my own experience of studying art in school, I to was only really taught the basics like drawing and painting, at a stretch we had a go at clay but that was it. So I understand how overwhelming and in a way rewarding it must have been to realise that there is so much more to art.
Another aspect of the lecture that I appreciated was how honest Mimi Hope was. When talking about her time studying at LCC she talked about how she had a day job but was also getting in touch with curators to get work experience to help to strengthen her knowledge of exhibitions. This is informative as it is something me and the students around me could start to do so that we can experience it ourselves, curating an exhibition. Mimi was in uni weekdays, and working with the curator on weekends,. Which she described as being eye-opening, seeing all the contemporary art happening around her. She didn't sugar coat her experience, she honestly told us how hard it was and expensive it was, which I think is important for us to hear as young artists soon entering the real art world. She proclaimed that it isn't easy and requires a lot of work and drive. Looking back at that time of her life she speaks of it fondly, being excited by everything the curator did and all she witnessed and was involved in. In addition to this she was learning a lot, and learnt to push the boundaries of an exhibition space, putting together a group show, meeting new people. Says it was hard work but it was worth it.
This is my favourite piece of artwork by Mimi Hope. For context at the time this work was produced she was in the second year of uni, living at home still, she revealed that her family wasn’t very wealthy, living in council flat. With a shared bedroom/bed with her sister at the time. Housing crisis in London, still is today. In a response to this she created a to scale replica of the bedroom she shared with her sister out of metal poles, says they’re like tent poles. I just find myself drawn to the simplicity of the overall composition and outlook of the piece. The size of the piece as a whole, accurate to the space in which she lives and shares with her sister simplified down to linear qualities I would say is emotive. Its simple but has a large impact.