A bedroom is not a studio.
Written by Maddy Chelmis
A bedroom is not a studio.
This phrase likely resonates with art students across the country, as nationwide, schools of art have been forced to shut their studio doors due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Expectedly there has been uproar about the lack of resources and support given to art students to help us in such an uncertain and tumultuous time. As alas, nothing will suffice like working alongside fellow artists in a messy little studio for hours on end.
While it has been a struggle to adapt to the new parameters of a home studio, it has been equally uplifting to see the widespread imagination used to morph ordinary spaces into factories of creation! From spare rooms being darned with tarpaulin floors to accommodate drips and splatters of paint, desks doubling as print making tables, and any plain walls in the house being transformed into a gallery wall, the sheer determination from artists across the country to make these restrictions work for us has been wildly inspiring. As a whole, we should be proud of our innovation and drive to keep making, even when the limits restrain us.
Despite this positive outlook, we are justified in our dissatisfaction. Thus many universities have formed student cohorts to protest against the closure of these essential spaces, and the University of Reading is no exception. As art students, we feel as though we have been erased from concern, indirectly being told that ‘Art is not an essential course.’ If study spaces such as the campus library can remain open, why can’t a necessary space like the studio remain open too?
Before the third lockdown there was an effective sign up method in place, where students could book a time slot and space to occupy, in a safe and controlled manner. This worked a dream! So why was it so difficult to reinstate?
Leaving students in dismay, feeling unheard, disregarded and downright inferior, some decided it was time to take a stand. Fellow artist and student Daisy Dickens began the process of yo-yo correspondence between the department, the wider University, the students union, and back to the students. Beginning with writing an open letter, in which she gained over 30 signatories, Daisy set off to find out what was going on. However, she quickly became frustrated at the lack of regard to her correspondence, which in turn spurred on the creation of the ‘whats_happening_rsa’ Instagram account. Daisy created this “to document the process of fighting to have our work spaces handed back to us, to critically evaluate our rights in comparison to government guidelines, to share thoughts/experiences, and for clear and concise signposting to resources such as filing formal complaints.” Evidently this situation was not taken lightly by the students. But the response from staff and higher ups has been lacklustre up until this point. Daisy also comments on how it has “brought to light issues with student welfare.”
However, due to the recent government announcement regarding the roadmap out of lockdown, the studios will once again be open for booking from the 8 th of March. But, this eventuality has come about because of government implications, not because of any concrete action put in place by the school. In this case, time was the answer.
Nevertheless, this fact does not retract from the tireless efforts of students such as Daisy; that rallied for representation and consideration from the University. While it has shone a light on the cracks in the establishment, it has also highlighted the unbeatable community spirit within our student cohort. In this lockdown I have been able to experience a sense of togetherness that I have not felt before, that all stemmed from a collective urge for change. We have modified our workspaces, sacrificed social interaction, and suffered effects to our wellbeing. But above all, we have carried on creating art no matter the circumstances, and when we can all get together again and create as a whole, it will be well worth the wait.