My previous work experience before coming to York
Over the past three years, I worked as an exhibition assistant at contemporary art galleries in Seoul. I contributed to organising exhibitions with a commitment to bringing alternative narratives to the Korean art scene, introducing artists from diverse cultural backgrounds including Asia, Africa, and Middle East. For the inaugural exhibitions of Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui and British-Ghanaian photographer James Barnor – both of whom had not previously been represented in Korea before – I worked closely with the artists and senior curators, managing art production, shipping and installation. And I am proud that the exhibitions were hugely successful, receiving a lot of attention and positive reviews from local audiences.
Why I chose to study History of Art at the University of York
The further study of MA in History of Art at The University of York represents an important milestone in my art career as it offers advanced training in the critical analysis of art – understanding what makes artwork meaningful and valuable in current art historical debate – which are of fundamental value to my professional development. I chose York because it is one of the few higher institutions in the UK where you can specialise in modern and contemporary art. The course offered specialised modules such as “The Use of Photography” and “Art and the Political Psyche in Britain, 1979-1997” which I really enjoyed during the first semester, having explored interesting intersections between art practices, social changes and political conflicts from the twentieth century to the present day.
When selecting the right place to study, I think it is important to do some initial research on the department’s website to find out the major areas of expertise of teaching staffs with whom you wish to work on your future dissertation which is the most crucial element of the MA degree. In this regard, there was no doubt from the beginning that the University of York was the most suitable place for me to nurture my research interest in “Female abstraction since the 1960s,” a field that I found still lacks critical study. I had the opportunity to have an initial conversation about my dissertation project with Professor Michael White who kindly directed me towards the theories of abstraction, drawing on his speciality in abstract art, and I look forward to further developing my research questions with him throughout the rest of the programme.
What support has been provided during the course of History of Art
Alongside optional modules related to specific art medium, periods and themes that allow students to develop their own specialities towards dissertation, the course also provides the core module about art historical research skills which takes place during the first semester. From my experience, the module provided very practical guidance on how to write art history within a range of theoretical frameworks that feed into current trends, including feminism, post-colonisation and global art history, as well as how to work with primary and secondary art historical resources to initiate my own research – all of which are hugely important skills required for working as an art professional within this field.
Having completed the first semester over the past few intensive months, I would like to say that the taught programme of History of Art at York is very well-structured in balance with both practical and theoretical aspects of the field. For instance, in the second week of the research skills module, we had a rare opportunity to visit the collection storage room at the university to learn about technical art history related to connoisseurship and conservation, encouraging us to look at art objects with fresh eyes. In the final weeks, there were also special lectures joined by guest speakers from the leading museums, galleries and auction houses in the UK. They provided invaluable insights into how artworks are interpreted, evaluated, collected and displayed within the professional context of art organisations.
What I’d like to do after my degree
Second semester has just begun, so it’s still quite early for me to make a decision about my future after graduation. I’m very excited. I’m aware of various opportunities available for recent graduates in art museums, galleries and other commercial sectors that I am planning to apply for during the summer, even while spending most of my time on finishing dissertation – so I imagine that it will be another very busy months! And all the critical knowledge and a solid ground in art history that I gained from the course at York made me more confident.
Leave a Reply