Sovay Berriman – Jamboree 2018 participant

Takeover post from: Sovay Berriman

Jamboree 2018 reminded me how rarely I see other artists that I know in Cornwall, and how powerful it can be when we do meet up. I had some fantastic conversations at Jamboree and met with artists who live in the same area as me, but who I hadn’t seen in an age – @naomifrears @ilkercinarel @liam.jolly – plus with artists who lived near me but who I didn’t yet know very well – @bram_t_arnold @alicemahoney @james.fergusson @robin_dowell 

I wanted to carry on seeing these people more regularly to have more great conversations. So, I instigated a social meeting group for artists in West Cornwall. We meet every six to eight weeks in each others homes or studios. The group is only for artists, but otherwise flexible, those who attend can bring along other artists to any meeting. It’s important that it’s a group of peers and that focus doesn’t get diverted to schmoozing a curator for instance, or pitching an idea to a funder. There’s an agreement of support and confidence, we all want to feel safe and relaxed. We’re there to support each other; the more who share the more we all gain. We’re there to be open, at times vulnerable, and always generous.

We share our work experiences to support each other in negotiating fees, terms, applications and in sharing contacts. We encourage each other in taking risks and testing new work, and we work together; a few collaborations have been born from these meetings. I’ve been collaborating with @alicemahoney @_deanknight and @patrick.lowry269 on #Borderlands an evolving exhibition. Our first outing was for @plymartwkndr #PAW2020 and we’re planning more. 

@sara.bowler and I have also been collaborating on the @agilestructures project, which kicked off with a networking symposium this summer and has been supported by @c.a.m.plymouth and @cultivatorcornwall and has been able to host talks and workshops with @cerihand @davebeechartist @flatness.eu @cinziamutigli @hollydavey74 @b_s_ashton @james.fergusson @ilkercinarel and @swimonbaybliss 

I’ve been invited to undertake a residency at @auctionhouseart a space in #redruth run by @liam.jolly An exhibition we had planned was cancelled due to C-19, but we’ll rearrange for next year.

I’ve also drawn support and encouragement from this social group for work made during a residency I was awarded at @backlanewest this year, and in my co-planning of the #commonplace symposium which took place in 2019. More generally, being in easy and regular contact and dialogue with my peers, in my geographical area gives me strength as a freelance arts practitioner. It’s like we’re all athletes and the group is there to remind us to stitch and warm-up, but also to rest. 

I’ve been invited to undertake a residency at @auctionhouseart a space in #Redruth run by @liam.jolly An exhibition we had planned was cancelled due to C-19, but we’ll rearrange for next year.

I’ve also drawn support and encouragement from this social group for work made during a residency I was awarded at @backlanewest this year, and in my co-planning of the #commonplace symposium which took place in 2019. More generally, being in easy and regular contact and dialogue with my peers, in my geographical area gives me strength as a freelance arts practitioner. It’s like we’re all athletes and the group is there to remind us to stitch and warm-up, but also to rest.

Headshot: Sovay at co-hosting @agilestructures #negotiationforartists workshop with @sara.bowler devised and led by @cerihand, funded by @cultivatorcornwall

#Cornwall #redruth

@sovayberriman
www.sovayberriman.co.uk