As my tutor zuleika suggested, in order to find experts related to my project, contacting on-campus organizations and alumni organizations can be an important direction to consider, because many graduates stay in school to work. In order to understand what ethic diversity conscious organizations are doing to support the underrepresented group, and to get advice from people with experience, I got in touch with the GEMS organization. Co-chair of GEMS Jhinuk kindly offered the opportunity to circulate my questions to the entire community, and after Zuleika’s review, I created a questionnaire (here’s the link: https://forms.gle/aJqTjHwApfuSMqjZ6) and sent the questions to Jhinuk. Although there are some delays in communication due to working hours, I think gems’ answers will be valuable suggestions. This process also taught me how to follow up with stakeholders and gained valuable experience.
During the dragon dan session, experts Dominic stone and Emily Zak provided a lot of valuable advice on my project, which provided me with different perspectives and pointed out areas that I had not considered thoroughly.
Here are some key takeaways of their advice and
How to measure the success of the intervention？— Dominic pointed out that maybe it’s hard to measure the success of my intervention in the scope of this project, because there’s not enough time, but it’s worth focusing on anticipating long-term outcome.
Value of Guidance and Mentorship — As Emily pointed out, my project seems to be missing opportunities carving out opportunities for people to connect and create mentorship. She describes the industry as learned through hands-on experience, which is different from fields where skills are primarily acquired through formal education, and that’s why mentorship is so important. Graduating students are hungry for mentorship but don’t know how to get it. The podcast community is good, but lacks real-life interactions. She advocates for a platform connecting transitioning Chinese students with mentors.
I think the opinions of experts are valuable. Mentorship is also something I want to provide to my target audience, so I actively contacted various related organizations within UAL scope like gems, color association. I also hope to provide some perspective to my audience by creating a podcast where graduates who are in their early careers or even those who are struggling with their transitions can share their experiences on their journeys. But as Emily said, my current approaches still lack some opportunities for people to establish face-to-face relationships with mentors. How to combine mentorship with existing paths requires further consideration.
In the SWOT analysis I conducted earlier, I identified a shortcoming of my previous intervention, which was the inability to offer concrete solutions to my target audience. As some of my audience pointed out: they want some guidance from those who also been through the similar situation. Therefore, I decided to invite seniors from the arts field who have already established successful careers in the UK, are of Chinese descent, and have navigated through their own uncertain transition periods. They come from various backgrounds and have diverse experiences, and I plan to have them share their experiences and insights through a podcast.
Firstly, I refined the goal and theme of my podcast to focus on empowering Chinese art graduates in London, and to reveal the unstable points within the complex structure where culture, economy, and personal desires intricately interact. I have listened to several podcasts with similar themes to mine, or from which I could learn in terms of structure and ways of interacting with guests.
Vol. 163 Qian Jing: Combat Nihilism with Modesty, Dissolve Anxiety with Tangibility by Salty Lemon Seven
Vol. 165 Youth is Believing Time Will Lead You Out of Adversity by Salty Lemon Seven
Vol. 149 Record of China-Korea Youth Exchange Meeting: The Reasons We Chose Here by East Asia Observation Bureau
(from left to right)
And I conducted a outline of my Podcast.
I have reached out to three target guests via email and social media, and am continuing to search for more suitable experts for this podcast. This is the first draft of the podcast, and I plan to improve it through the process and based on the feedback from the audience.
Artist Jordan Kemerink applied thin latex evenly on the surfaces of objects in living spaces. Once dried and peeled off, their shapes and usage traces were preserved, along with the memories of life they held. The initial inspiration came merely from the artist’s desire to preserve memories from an art residency program she attended. However, after an exhibition, a local audience invited the artist to visit her house—a home that witnessed the lives and growth of several generations but was soon to be sold due to debts following the passing of an elder. The homeowner wanted to leave behind a final memory before departing. Once the artwork was completed, all traces of life such as fingerprints, dust, repairs, and wear were extended into the exhibition space. The family lingered in front of these details before parting ways. Every brick and tile in the house existed for practical purposes, while the artist’s work served as a skin of the house, stripping away its size and social class, leaving behind only the imprints of specific life memories.
Art self-media content creator NainaiZhaoni had this to say about Jordan’s work: “We always emphasize the greatness of the collective, yet never see or mention how a grain of sand struggles to contribute to a prosperous era in the bright sunshine, or becomes futile in storms. Perhaps what truly drives a turning point is more about focusing on each grain of sand, on how they fulfill and complete themselves.” I find this very enlightening for my project, as my project also aims to focus on the fate of individuals, their dilemmas and struggles, yet the unclear positioning of creativity in my project is indeed a challenge. Jordan’s work embodies this intent in a highly creative and aesthetically way, I will learn from it and continue to consider my project in a more creative way.
On my last tutorial with Zuleika, an aspect that I’ve never noticed have been pointed out—some Chinese people might not consider themselves as people of color, I was suprised by this because in my former research, there really exsist many associations and organiations supporting this group like UAL color association, saying that their mission is to help BLAME group and use term like”people of color “. Also, in a book I read about identity, it mentioned that people’s identities are not automatically granted ‘right of way,’ but rather, are something that involves political struggle where rights and duties are fought over within society.
Social SelvesTheories of Self and Society SECOND EDITION Ian Burkitt
So I take it for granted that Chinese people should fight for their rights and consider themselves as people of color. However, after noticing this new aspect, i did some research and realized two things. One thing is, some individuals may not realize that they actually belong to underrepresented groups and that their rights are not fully protected, only coming to such an understanding when their rights are impacted. Additionally, people’s perceptions are influenced by their environment. For instance, there’s a large population of Asians, one might only feel part of a minority group when surrounded by faces of unfamiliar skin colors.
The second thing is, some individuals might not appreciate being defined by their skin color. After reading this post “Please, don’t call me BAME or BME! ” and reflecting on this aspect again, I realized that while uncovering injustices and racial disparities is crucial, it’s important during the research process to be mindful of one’s language, to maintain an inclusive perspective, and to consider how minority groups wish to be identified, rather than being stuck in one’s own way of thinking. Just like what is said in this post,”We all have an ethnicity, so it is important that we all discuss ethnicity in a way that is appropriate, inclusive and sensitive to how ethnic groups identify themselves.” This not only could lead to inconsiderate issues but also could introduce confirmation bias into the research, where one continuously selects and acknowledges information that aligns with their preconceptions, consequently reducing the diversity of the project.
Before the tutorial on October 9, I envisioned my next intervention to be organizing a group exhibition. I conducted some research and interviewed peers from the CCC major, along with previous organizers of art fairs, and drafted a timeline. The theme for this exhibition is ‘Ephemeral Echoes‘, and I’ve wrote some statement for it: This exhibition aim to capture the delicate journey of Chinese postgraduate artists living in the UK, navigating through the turbulent waters of existence, balance, conflicts, anxiety, and crises away from home. The pervading emotions in this series evoke the subtle melancholy and memorable existence brought about by the elusive scent of ashes—gently yet powerfully reminding people of the bittersweet intersections where idealism meets practicality, and personal practices often clash with work-life realities. This exhibition aspires not only to be a visual feast but also a sanctuary for collective narratives, a convergence of silent screams and soft hopes, aiming to liberate these young artists from the isolation and shame in their silent struggles. I hope to weave a narrative beyond the conventional victory tales portrayed by mainstream media, delving into the complex structure where culture, economy, and personal desires intricately dance together.
However, the tutorial on time management hit right on my concerns—the time, workload, and financial investment required to organize an exhibition seem challenging to achieve within the specified timeframe.
I believe paying attention to contingency and having a Plan B is an effective way to handle this. It means focusing on several interventions at once, so that there are still some accomplishments if the desired one can’t be completed. Fortunately, I have several draft ideas too.
During the last intervention, besides understanding the specific concerns of the target group and establishing one-on-one connections with them, I also identified some shortcomings, such as the inability to provide precise assistance and the mobility of the audience (some have returned to their home country). After discussing with experts from graduate support, I realized a significant issue is the gap between Chinese art graduates and school resources – many remain silent and do not utilize the school’s offerings. Graduate support resources are also not specifically tailored for Chinese international students. Hence, my project has reached a crossroads: should I continue focusing on the mental balance of individuals during the transition period, or should I work to bridge the gap between Chinese art graduates and school resources? Below is a SWOT analysis for both directions.
After analyzing, I’ve realized that these two directions can support each other. For instance, insights gained from communicating with experts and school resources can offer trusted sources for the target audience, and the specific concerns of the students can aid the school’s initiatives. However, this has also led to my current dilemma of struggling to weigh which direction should be prioritized. As my tutor Zuleika pointed out, opportunities often lie within weaknesses, and the key is how to transform. I believe there’s a lack of creativity in my current intervention, so integrating innovative approaches into my project will be my next focus. My current confusion stems from wanting to maximize the project’s value but it hasn’t wavered my goal to assist transitioning Chinese international art graduates. I’ll continue reading and researching to gain clearer direction for the next steps.
After my tutorial with Jasminka, I’ve come to realize the value of taking small steps in testing things out. There’s no need to aim for a perfectly complete idea all at once, as that could actually diminish the opportunities for learning along the way.
So, I came up with the “London Art Creature Survival Manual” intervention. I invited Chinese graduate artists to create their perceptions of self-image during their transitional phase – whether it’s about finding self-balance or dealing with the anxieties of the unknown. This intervention drew inspiration from my previous collaboration with Shuang in the “Shape of Emotion” workshop. During that session, participants visualized their anxieties experienced while living in London through painting, followed by sharing their feelings, mindfulness painting, fostering a positive process of awareness-embracing-sharing-resonating. All participants were chinese art students and enjoyed this process. I tested and confirmed the effectiveness of expressing emotions through sketch, thus continuing this approach in my current intervention. Instead of group workshop, I decided on one-on-one connections this time, inspired by my conversation with Seema, which highlighted the importance of establishing meaningful individual connections.
Poster 1: ??? Who am I
Inspired by the Pokémon “Who am I?” segment. The background characters are thoughts and doubts collected from graduate：Insist myself/Adapting to the market / Not interested in pursuing art anymore / Seeking recognition / Like a dandelion / London is too expensive….etc
Poster2: Description of intervention
“Create a self-image,
It can be realistic/abstract/flat/3D,
It can be a combination of words/doodles/handcraft,
It can be human/plant/zooplankton/extraterrestrial/any peculiar species,
Anyway, however you like it – but it represents you,
Reflecting the moments of existential crisis you’ve experienced during
graduation season.For this journey, I’m only interested in what you’re
specifically going through and facing.
Don’t worry about how unusual the image might look,
Because perhaps, in the end, you’ll realize that we’re all somewhat alike.”
I will update the collected creations and their underlying stories in this post.
“I feel like I need to have a clear understanding of who I am, so my art style is realistic, but with some flowing colors———these represent uncertainties coming from different aspects of my life—uncertainties about what to do, including uncertainty about my identity. I can’t define myself as a student or a working professional because I’m in a transition phase.” “I need someone who has been through similar experiences to give me some advice.” “I also have practical concerns. I want to know how to find a job, like which platforms to use, interview techniques, and polishing my CV.”“It’s like an endless pit. Represents my inner and outer unknowns and fears. I don’t know what kind of job my abilities are suited for, don’t know how to take that first step, lacking motivation to act.” “Unclear self-awareness creates this endless pit within. The edges are blurry because of uncertainties about the outside world.” “I’m afraid to take action because I know there are many real-world obstacles out there.”“I have a lot of ideas, and I’m changing every day. I don’t know where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing tomorrow, but I’m not afraid anymore. I’ll take things as they come.” “My current plan is to find a job first, and treat my creative work as a secondary role. It might be slower, but that’s okay. What I want the most right now is financial independence and freedom. I don’t want my parents to foot the bill for my artistic pursuits. “ “I’m also not in a hurry to define myself. I used to focus on my own work, on ‘finding myself, being myself.’ But now, I want to go out and work. I want to temporarily step away from ‘myself’ for a while.”“曲径通幽处” “Originally meant a curving trail leading to a beautiful scenery, but the chinese character ‘幽’ also carries a sense of depth and darkness. Feels like my artistic pursuit; this path is full of thorns, yet the endpoint remains an unknown black hole.” “All I can do is keep moving forward — who knows, maybe beyond the black hole lies a whole other world? Nobody really knows.”“I don’t know what the future holds, but I’ll still try my best to lift my head and look at the sky.”“I hope to do what I love with a decent income, which means I might have to initially find a job that seems ‘proper.’ The art market might not fulfill this for me.” “I feel like I’m filled with contradictions, and my true self has to stay hidden.”“Nature and exercise help maintain my mental balance.” “Sometimes when I feel like breaking free from anxiety, I head to the backyard to weed, soak up the sun, tend to the roses, trim them neatly, and then place them in a vase in the living room. Working in the backyard also lets me soak up the sun, and that really boosts my mood.” “Exercising works the same way. All I need to do is start and focus on today’s workout plan and what I eat. When I’m thinking about these things, I forget about the anxiety.”
In the questionnaire I created concerning the challenges faced by Chinese art graduates during their transitional period, I discovered that a majority of respondents either haven’t used or are unfamiliar with the school’s graduate support resources. Considering my research goal of better assisting Chinese art graduates in finding balance during their transitional phase, I reached out to UAL Graduate Support and had a discussion with Seema.
During our conversation, Seema provided invaluable advice on how to find more stakeholders. She suggested methods like reaching out to alumni individually through LinkedIn – a slower but accurate approach to target my desired audience. She also shared recommendations for other expert resources, significantly enhancing my subsequent research efforts.
Seema also highlighted that September tends to be a period of heightened anxiety for many graduates. As new students begin their studies, recent graduates grapple with the challenge of securing employment.
In my survey, I identified a gap between students and the school’s resources. Seema delved into this aspect as well: UAL Graduate Support offers one-on-one guidance, but many individuals still fail to access it, with the silent majority possibly being even more significant. I believe this issue is common among Chinese graduates due to language-cultural differences and unfamiliarity with the UK education system. Consequently, they might not proactively seek support or utilize school resources. I view bridging this gap and making Chinese students aware of available resources as vital research directions. I aim to delve further into this issue, as it’s an essential avenue for helping stakeholders.
Seema’s emphasis on the individual connection aspect of graduate support sparked inspiration in me. As a result, I incorporated one-on-one interactions in my intervention, testing their efficacy in building relationships with stakeholders.
Seema’s guidance has been immensely beneficial, and I intend to maintain contact with UAL Graduate Support, sharing my research findings. I hope that my future research can establish a deeper collaboration with UAL Graduate Support, further aiding my stakeholders while offering the school a student perspective and addressing the needs of the graduates, supporting their endeavors.
what the SU team feel as the biggest challenges international students face when preparing for life beyond university
After introducing my project to UAL Student Union and establishing contact, Chloe from the SU Team shared with me the most significant challenges that international students face within the student union experience. Student unions are known for their practical assistance to students and their commitment to amplifying student voices, making Chloe’s insights extremely valuable.
Chloe highlighted the following points:
The risks international students encounter when seeking accommodation in the UK.
The considerably higher cost of studying in the UK for international students, nearly three times that of domestic peers, which can lead to significant financial difficulties during university and post-graduation. (This financial sustainability concern was also a significant issue identified in my discussions with stakeholders.)
Challenges in accessing healthcare support for mental health or disabilities after graduation.
The environmental factors of being far from family, friends, and coping with cultural differences and challenges that international students face.
Chloe also provided additional expert resource recommendations, which are immensely valuable and offer me further avenues for research access. This exchange has opened a valuable channel for me to connect with the SU, and I plan to share my findings with them during my continued research. I look forward to further developing my project with their insights, and also provide valuble voices from my stakeholders to SU.
