The Creative Difference project has given me the opportunity to question the values of assessment and feedback within the sphere of Fine Art. As a student it is sometimes difficult to get a wider sense to how my eduction is effecting my development. Assessment and feedback has a significant role in my own educational life as it is an indication to how I should go about making decisions in regards to structuring my studio practice.

A big question that keeps me awake at night, is to what exactly is the importance of studying Fine Art at higher education level? When arguing the importance of Fine Art to friends enrolled on scientific degrees, who naively believe the art subject to be a mere glorified hobby, I sometime find it difficult to clarify my argument in support of Fine Art within higher education. In time, would like to establish a stronger argument to defend the purpose of the education of Fine Art.

I hope to satisfy my intrigue by taking part in this line of research. Not only do I want to make sure that I contribute within the team, but I also hope to gain a greater understanding of the nature of education within Fine Art for my own personal reasons.

                                                                  … . …

It is curious that I have landed myself into a project where I am working alongside Chris Jones and Vee Pollock; two delightful people who are often responsible for grading my work. I am sure that future meetings will entail interesting dialogue between myself and my educators; it will especially thrilling if we find that we have opinions that drastically clash.

James Ricketts