International study exchange at Columbia College Chicago 2019

In January 2019 I travelled to the US to participate in a six month international exchange program, between Bath Spa and Columbia College Chicago.

I found staff at Columbia terribly welcoming. I was offered a studio space and a range of subjects to choose from, depending on what I was interested in studying during my time in Chicago.

My studio at Columbia College Chicago

I decided to go for a mix of subjects on sculpture and on American history of Art of the 20th Century. The facilities that Columbia College has to fabricate three dimensional objects are really good and I though that this would be a good opportunity to start developing my sculptural ideas. Also, being able to learn about American artists and the motivations behind their practices was something that I wouldn't often would have given the chance to do in Europe, so I just went for it, even though I could see that I would need to work quite hard. I did work a lot, but it was completely worth it.

Life modelling exercise in clay. 12 x 12 x 24 cm

Life modelling exercise in clay. Lost. Dimensions unknown.

My sculpture lessons were quite varied and I took life modelling classes and I also learned to use computer assisted software to design three dimensional objects. I also worked a lot with wood and I even did a couple of casts of small pieces in metal.

Maquette for a sculpture. Galvanised wire mesh and galvanised wire. 42 x 20 x 36 cm

Exercise involving the deconstruction of two cubes.
​Glued plywood. 23 x 23 x 23 cm approx. each piece.

Maquettes for anthropomorphic sculptures. Plywood..
​13 x 12 x 27 approx. each piece

Exercise involving the casting of a resin 3d print in Britannia metal, accompanied by rubber mould.

Exercise involving the software assisted design of a 3D object.

I also took a directed study module about biomorphic sculptures with professor Joan Giroux, which inspired most of my production in Chicago and also had a big influence in the practice that I am developing currently.

Anthropomorphic figure made from casts of bags. Plaster. 25 x 15 x 23 cm.

I always felt very comfortable working at Columbia College. I used to love working at the Fabrication Facility, the making space the college has on Wabash Avenue. .I found that staff were friendly, supportive and encouraging to students. My academic relationship with professor Giroux and also with the chair of the Art and Art History department, Duncan McKenzie, led me to propose them an internship for the following academic year, during which I would work for them in exchange for studio space. They accepted and during the fall of 2019 I returned to Chicago to take part in this internship.

The Fabrication Facility at Columbia College Chicago. 623 S. Wabash Avenue.