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Angela McIntosh

Profession
MA Intercultural Practices student
College
Central Saint Martins
Person Type
Student
Angela McIntosh

Biography

Angela McIntosh is a student on MA Intercultural Practices at Central Saint Martins.

Socially engaged artist, educator and land-carer. She is interested in inverting the idea of an artist-in-residence.  Angela collaborates with those engaged with the education system who do not accept the status quo and who are looking for alternatives and intercultural connection.

Interview

Could you please tell us a bit about yourself?

As a socially engaged artist, educator and land-carer, I am interested in inverting the idea of an artist-in-residence. Instead of entering workplaces, I welcome small groups to the rural land in Canada that I live and work on and with. I collaborate with those engaged with the education system who do not accept the status quo and who are looking for alternatives and intercultural connection. Together, we work with materials that have a close connection with the Earth, including natural fibers, plants and clay. I view the land as a teacher, classroom and spiritual guide.

My practice is anchored in the belief that nervous system regulation is key for sustainable and harmonious futures. In exploring the importance of self-regulation, I seek to open spaces for people to experience meaningful dialogues: with others, with themselves, and with nature. Creative and embodied practice on and with the land provide opportunities for unlearning and self-discovery. These practices help regulate the nervous system and moments of introspective awareness and co-regulation are found.

Why did you choose to study MA Intercultural Practices at Central Saint Martins (CSM)?

I was specifically looking for a low-residency course to balance my commitments. I was also interested in studying in a different country to extend and expand my thinking and experience. I felt that studying in an arts university would support my cultural production and, because I have a multi-disciplinary practice, the focus of MA Intercultural Practices (MAIP) on multiple cultural and disciplinary perspectives was highly resonant. Finally, Dr Marsha Bradfield‘s experience and enthusiasm made me feel confident about the course.

What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on so far? What made it so interesting to work on?

One interesting project was a materials exchange in the first year of the course. I was partnered with a fellow student, the fabulous Phương Anh, who is a poet from Vietnam. Despite knowing one another for a relatively short time, Anh thoughtfully and perceptively sent me four items: two poems by her; a handmade patchwork textile piece from northern Vietnam; and a singing bowl sourced from a Japanese monk. Not only did these objects provide an opportunity for us to connect and get to know one another better over a series of conversations, but they prompted creative production that would have otherwise been unrealised. In particular, the singing bowl (which we both refer to as ‘the Bell’) became a guiding force for me. The Bell has stimulated thought, conversation and connection as it travelled with me for over a year: from Canada; to England; to Australia; to Hong Kong; and back to England, when I returned it to Anh at our second ‘intensive’ in April this year. In each of these countries the Bell was used to anchor socially engaged practice.

What projects/successes have you been involved with since starting the course? 

The coursework in MAIP has prompted a number of different projects that have propelled me forward, including making a short video for one of our units. This was completely out of my comfort zone and skills-base, but I persevered. Now I am looking to work with video for my culminating project, which I could never have anticipated when I started the course! One of my goals when starting MAIP was to facilitate socially engaged art projects on the land I work on and with in Canada, which I have started to realise. I also had the opportunity to travel to Hong Kong in 2023, to attend a Shared Campus Summer School. This experience taught me a lot about myself and allowed me to reflect on the ways in which I want to take my practice forward. Finally, during our in-person intensive in London this year, I created and facilitated a workshop for 'Educators for the Future', which has informed my final unit of the degree.

What important piece of advice would you give to students thinking of studying this course?

Listen with curiosity to yourself and others; find a system to keep track of your reflections and do this regularly; keep an annotated bibliography from the start; welcome the unexpected; and make sure you have access to good wifi!

What has been the highlight of your CSM experience so far?

There have been so many highlights that it’s difficult to choose one, however I will go with the London intensives. Meeting and working in-person with Marsha, and both the first and second year cohorts of MAIP, provided a wealth of insights and challenges, which stimulated my practice upon return to Canada. I love the movement between online and in-person, and the change in perspective and dynamics it affords.

What are your career aspirations? Where would you like to be in five years' time?

I am seeking to connect with people who are interested in leveraging creative and embodied practices to positively influence changes in the education system. I feel that the role of teachers and educators is massively undervalued in many cultures and that the pressure on teachers and students is untenable. I am interested in providing residency experiences where those engaged with the education system can come and interrogate the status quo by working creatively and in an embodied way with the land and with others. You can think of it as a flipped artist-residency: instead of the artist going into a workplace, the workplace comes to and collaborates with me and the land. In five years’ time I would like to be hosting seasonal residencies for Canadian and international practitioners. I also hope that we will have made some good progress in regenerating the land in that time.

What is the most important thing you've learnt on the course so far?

There is no one thing as it is all layered and interconnected. However, I highly value the perspectives, knowledge and generosity of my peers, Marsha and the guest lecturers we have had throughout the course. Listening to and learning from them has been incredibly important.

Links

Follow Angela on Instagram 
Check Angela's website

Central Saint Martins

Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 7444

Address

1 Granary Square
King's Cross
London
N1C 4AA