FINAL PRACTICE PLAN
I appreciate the suggestion in the study notes to reflect on my lifestyle, capabilities, needs, and any other responsibilities that may influence my Practice Plan. The guidance is clear: this plan must be sustainable and aligned with my life. The challenge lies in redirecting this plan for the future. For the final version, I must articulate my aims and ambitions and outline the structures, support, and positioning necessary to achieve these goals.
Current reflective thoughts
The end of my formal studies marks a pivotal moment in my artistic journey as I transition from structured guidance to the boundless freedom of self-directed exploration. While liberating, this shift comes with its challenges and opportunities, which I am eager to embrace.
Throughout my studies, I learned to rely on guidance, mentorship, advice, and critique as integral parts of my process. These external voices became a compass, shaping my decisions and helping me refine my work. Now, I face the exciting challenge of internalising this learning and allowing it to guide me independently. The tools I gained—the ability to analyse, experiment, and respond critically—will be the foundation for this new phase.
One of the most valuable insights from my recent conversation with a local curator was the importance of taking ownership of my practice. Without the structure of assignments or assessments, I have the space to play more freely, to experiment without the pressure of outcomes, and to rediscover the joy in creating for its own sake. This shift from goal-oriented creation to open exploration feels necessary to deepen my connection with my work.
I am also conscious of the role feedback has played in my development. The absence of regular critique and reflection with a tutor presents an opportunity to build a new support network—local artists, peers, and collaborators who can offer fresh perspectives. At the same time, I must trust my voice, honing the confidence to assess and refine my work independently.
Moving forward, I envision a practice that is both playful and purposeful. I aim to explore new materials and techniques while revisiting themes that resonate deeply with me—care, resilience, and interconnectedness. This phase is about creating space for intuition to lead, experimentation to thrive, and new narratives to emerge.
This moment is not just about the work I create; it’s about how I approach my practice. It’s an invitation to trust myself, to lean into uncertainty, and to embrace the potential of what lies ahead. I also want my art to be seen as an inspiration; gave me a sense of purpose and a commitment to creating art that inspires, nurtures, and connects rather than shocks, commodifies, or panders to a market-driven audience. This shift speaks to the role of art as a transformative language, one that communicates shared human experiences rather than catering to an economy of spectacle.
The materials I use and the themes I explore further reinforce this divergence. Wire, with its associations of division and resilience, becomes a metaphorical language for reclaiming narratives and fostering care. It aligns with the vision of art as a tool for creating spaces of reflection, not merely for asserting power or wealth.
Initial planning and thinking around the future Practice Plan
I realised the challenge would be seamlessly integrating the visuals and narration in the final work’s video around my Practice Plan. I wrote a storyboard layout to manage this process and attempted to organise the visuals and narration. I selected around 100 images and eight videos to work with and created an album. I hoped to develop a clear script and decide what to say and show. The big challenge was aligning the narrative with the visuals I had chosen. I used a tripod to position the camera at eye level and started the recording in my studio. I was uncomfortable with the camera directed at me and considered looking at AI voice-over options, but I was unsuccessful. I have some ambient sound, mostly birdsong, outside my studio to consider. I used Quick Time Player to record my voice script.
While these challenges could be valuable learning experiences, they risked diverting my attention from the plan’s content. My priority is to articulate a clear and thoughtful vision for my future practice, and a written format allows me to focus on substance over style. I feel a written plan respects the iterative nature of planning. It can be shared easily with mentors, peers, and collaborators for feedback and can evolve as my circumstances and aspirations change. Its flexibility and adaptability make it a practical and effective tool for guiding my practice in the coming years.
The Practice Plan
I think I can explain myself best within the following framework set out
INTRODUCTION
As I move forward, I must develop a sustainable structure for my practice that aligns with my lifestyle and allows me to thrive creatively while managing other commitments. Living in the Riebeek Valley, surrounded by nature, provides a unique source of inspiration. Still, it also underscores the need to balance artistic pursuits with personal responsibilities and the desire to immerse myself in natural spaces.
LIFESTYLE AND PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
- Space: My studio will remain a central hub for making, but I also want to extend my practice to outdoor environments. Workshops and planned residency will be in my exhibition’s barn. Camping and spending time in nature will inform my creative process, especially as I continue exploring themes of interconnectedness between humans and nature.
- Time: Retirement allows me the flexibility to allocate significant time to my practice. However, I also recognise the importance of balancing this with family time, leisure activities, and self-care.
- Health and Energy: Working with materials like wire has physical demands. I must ensure that my practice includes adequate breaks and ergonomic setups to sustain my health over the long term.
GOALS AND AMBITIONS
Having contemplated the above, I have set the following goals for the next 12 months:
| Goal number | Goal description | Goal measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Goal 1 | Participate in at least one group exhibition | Successful contribution and participation of Hotel Kalahari at Solo Studio event, Riebeek Kasteel, September 2025 |
| Goal 2 | Share my making/explorations/concerns with student support group | regular contact on WhatsApp in a safe space of support and critique |
| Goal 3 | Grow the Hotel Kalahari Nest series by experimenting with scale and creating hanging sculptures of varying sizes and forms to sell. | I have commissions to start working on by end January 2025 |
| Goal 4 | Grow the nest to weigh at least 25kg and sell more minor works as separate sculptures | The size, weight and length to increase |
| Goal 5 | Arrange a local residency with interested students/artists from my support group and regional artists. I have made contact with three local and established artists who are interested in joining. Action plan on a Gdrive shared document | Invite and host international peers on the farm, Riebeek West, during September 2025 |
| Goal 6 | Keep social media post regularly as a story telling share of work and process. | Weekly post |
| Goal 7 | Attend at least one residency to immerse myself in a new environment and gain fresh perspectives. I would like to do performance and installation. | Apply successfully for Tankwa Residency for the 2025 intake |
Looking further ahead, over the next three years, I envision:
- Developing a solo exhibition that showcases an expanded body of work, incorporating wire sculptures, mixed-media pieces, and installations.
- Building a solid network of collaborators, both locally and internationally, to exchange ideas and grow as an artist.
- Mentoring local community art projects, sharing insights from my journey, and fostering a sense of community.
- Engaging with public art projects or workshops that bring art into communal spaces, emphasising connection and care.
STRATEGIES AND SUPPORT
Network Building:
To achieve these ambitions, I will actively engage with artistic communities. Joining local and international art collectives, attending exhibitions, and participating in artist talks will help me establish connections. Additionally, leveraging online platforms can facilitate collaboration with global peers. I believe social media also offers a way to build a network. I have been looking at using Instagram more effectively, actively engaging with my audience, and developing my brand. I think this would be to become more aware of my potential market and learn to engage consistently and professionally. I must fit the idea that my art is a ‘commodity that wants to enter the market’. On Instagram, I was recently motivated further by reading about 5 key things galleries value in emerging artists but might not openly tell you. (I made a blog post with these thoughts to develop my marketing and network-building strategy.
Skill Development:
While confident in my current techniques, I plan to explore new materials and work with clay and natural materials and methods. Enrolling in workshops or online courses focused on large-scale installations or mixed-media practices will expand my skill set and open new creative avenues. I need to learn more about using social media.
Residency Opportunities:
Residencies will play a crucial role in shaping my future practice. I will research programs that align with my interests, particularly those emphasising nature, care, or resilience. Preparing a solid portfolio and proposal will be vital in securing these opportunities.
Documentation and Reflection:
Documenting my process—through photographs, journals, or video recordings—will allow me to track my progress and reflect on my journey. T his practice will also provide material for future exhibitions and proposals.
MATERIALITY AND THEMES
Working with wire has become central to my practice. Its physicality—both challenging and rewarding—mirrors the themes I explore. Weaving, looping, and shaping wire is deeply meditative, offering a way to process personal experiences, particularly grief and resilience. The nests I create embody this duality: strength and fragility, protection and vulnerability.
The material itself, steeped in industrial and colonial history, adds a layer of meaning. As I transform wire—a symbol of division and control—into structures of care and connection, I reclaim its narrative, aligning it with themes of healing and community.
Moving forward, I plan to experiment with scale and form, creating larger installations that invite viewers to engage more interactively. Incorporating other materials, such as natural fibres or recycled elements, will add texture and complexity to the work while emphasising sustainability.
PLAYFULNESS AND INTUITION
As I transition away from the structured environment of formal studies, I intend to embrace play as a vital part of my process. Allowing space for intuition and play will lead to unexpected discoveries and keep my practice dynamic. I prioritise moments of joy and curiosity in my work through spontaneous sketching, unplanned studio sessions, or outdoor explorations. I recently read that in China, they say a job is successful when you can see an artist at play. I am curious and a magpie and look forward to this journey. The group I formed with students over the last four years is becoming stronger as trust develops, and I will cherish this space
MEASURING SUCCESS
Success in this phase of my practice is not solely defined by external validation, such as exhibitions or sales, but by the depth of connection I feel with my work and its resonance with others. Regular self-reflection, feedback from trusted peers, and audience responses will help me evaluate my progress.
CONCLUSION
This Practice Plan represents a commitment to growth, balance, and authenticity. By setting clear yet flexible goals, building a support network, and staying true to my themes and values, I aim to navigate this new phase with purpose and curiosity. For me, art is a personal and collective journey reflecting resilience, care, and the power of human connection.
28 NOVEMBER 2024