Creative Factory is an idea. By putting artists and creative thinking at the core of our approach, our factory will make new opportunities for Middlesbrough, where artists are not only welcomed, but listened to, nurtured, developed, supported, and given a much wider perception of success and a broader understanding of what a long term career can be.
The Creative Factory Q&A is a short informal look at an artist’s practice and current work. This week we talk to Alan Hathaway who has a solo show at Platform A Gallery, Middlesbrough.
- Where are you based and how long have you been there? I’m actually from Kerala, India, but right now I’m living in Middlesbrough as a student studying Masters in Game Design from Teesside University. I came to Middlesbrough in January 2019 since I have been living here.
- Where do you work? Studio, home, kitchen table, cafes, elsewhere? Tell us a bit about your workspace / work habits, etc. I usually work from home, and whenever I feel like drawing I just draw, it doesn’t matter the time or place. My canvas can vary from a sketchbook to a bus ticket.
- What does ‘success’ mean to you? It’s not something which I value based on how much money I make on selling my artwork. I want people to recognize my artwork, or at least take time to criticize my artwork.
- Do you earn a living from making art? If not, or only partially, what else do you do? No, I don’t make much from my art. I do commission works sometimes, but not always.
- What makes good art? Something original, something unique, something you feel, something you want to show it to someone
- What have you been up to recently? Tell us about any recent exhibitions, projects, residencies, etc. I haven’t done any exhibitions or anything yet, but I did contact some art galleries and personals, and I’m awaiting their response.
- What have you got coming up, exhibitions, residencies, studio etc? Sadly, nothing yet.
- What, if any, are the main barriers you come across? To get in contact with art galleries, and to get an opportunity to show my artwork to them.
- How do you feel about the current and future state of art in Middlesbrough / UK I think there are a lot of opportunities for an artist, but the main problem is not knowing the opportunities. If there is no one to guide the new artist like a mentor, he won’t have much of a future as an artist.