Kim Shaw is an American artist who lives and works in London and is in her final year of studying MA Contemporary Photography Philosophies and Practices at Central Saint Martins (CSM).
Why did you choose to study your course and why CSM?
I always tell people that I chose this course because photography and I needed to go to counselling together! I felt that my practice was ready to take a leap, but I wasn't sure where the impetus for that leap was going to come from. Also, I had started to make things to photograph, and I wasn't sure if the work was the things I made, or the photographs of them.
When I read the course description, I got the feeling that this course would allow me to get outside of photography for a bit, to better understand my practice and that it would provide new and unique fodder for the work.
What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on so far? What made it so interesting to work on?
Having come here as a maker, it surprises me to say that the thing that has been most interesting was my dissertation. My course leader said "if you're going to work on something for so many months, make it a piece of art." I took this advice and the freedom it gave me and fully immersed myself in the project. I hadn't read philosophy before taking the course, but I now understand how to read philosophy, not as a philosopher, but as an artist. My dissertation revealed my practice to me. It transformed everything.
Have you completed any work placements / internships whilst being on the course? If so, can you tell me a little bit about your role?
I held a job throughout most of my time at CSM. It wasn't a work placement or internship. I was the Director of an arts organisation in London.
What important piece of advice would you give to students thinking of studying this course?
Hold on tight! If you open yourself up to this experience, you will go places with your practice you never could have imagined. Be there, go with it, take risks and enjoy every single minute.
What has been the highlight of your CSM experience so far?
The highlight has to be learning to weld!
What are your career aspirations? Where would you like to be in five years' time?
My moto is "never give up." So, in the spirit of that, I will be winning the Turner Prize within five years!
What is the most important thing you've learnt on the course so far?
The most unexpected thing about this whole experience is that from the first day at Central Saint Martins, you are an artist. Not a photographer. You are not limited by the conventions of photography; nobody tells you that you have to work with the image. At first, I felt a bit like an imposter, but over time I learned that I am, indeed, an artist.
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