Natalie-Jane Rutherford
Studying for an MA in Curation at NUA has brought out a love of working with communities, particularly on art projects which encourage group working and communal artistic engagement.
Due to the unforeseen circumstances which arose due to the pandemic, Curation students were forced to adapt to new ways of working, as well as new ways of creating and new places to find inspiration. We were also effectively isolated from any physical sense of community.
Studying during Covid-19 has taught me to deal with the unexpected, become digitally engaged, and adapt my own artistic practices in response to global issues. My zine was created as a result of this, and is focused on Covid-19’s effect on the arts, particularly curating/creating, and how the restrictions enforced by the pandemic have influenced the form and themes of artistic output. I taught myself how to use InDesign effectively and efficiently; I also brushed up on my Photoshop skills and knowledge of editing.
My work is broadly influenced by a punk DIY aesthetic, and the idea of bringing multiple disciplines together. I wanted my zine to create a virtual community of artists in a time when this is physically not possible.
I briefly interned at the East Anglia Art Fund, helping them with a collection and will hopefully be joining them as a volunteer once I have graduated.
