Student Stories: Diane Goring

"I am Diane Goring, a recently completed BA Hons Fine Art student, having retired from Social Work I pursued my second passion, my love of art and have successfully completed my degree. I never imagined that my social conscience and previous experience as a social worker would be reflected in my art work."

Read about Diane's learning journey below.

What is your previous educational experiences and what drew you to OCA?

I, initially after completing an Access course in Somerset was accepted at Bath University on the Fine Art pathway, but the distance was too far to commute and I didn't want to be a live in student. OCA really suited me regarding the flexibility to study. I am a firm believer that you are responsible for your own learning and to ensure you put in the hard work necessary to achieve your goals. I consider myself so fortunate to be part of a global concern and students and friends I meet with online from different continents help enrich our own life and learning experiences. I meet up regularly with a great bunch!

Can you describe your OCA journey?

The OCA journey has been incredible and I learned such a lot from great tutors who had a wealth and breadth of experience themselves. Due to the nature of my project I met with the ethics committee. Although initially difficult for me to make my case to promote the work I was doing, the committee which comprised of two people were very supportive of the work.

OCA Enterprise hub also helped me to skill up to make the video by donating £100.

Can you describe the tutor/ peer support at the OCA?

Caroline Wright, Cheryl Huntbach and Diana Ali were all instrumental in providing crucial advice. Cheryl advised me to complete some sketches on my journey to London to see the William Kentridge exhibition. It was from that time on that my drawing practice with the use of charcoal greatly improved. Diana also supported me and agreed to me making a video for my last module. The video is now really taking off in directions I never thought possible.

My project has been a very sensitive and controversial topic. It is about the deaths of children where there is public care involvement that should have protected them better.

I exhibited with visual images that provided a strong narrative around why they were dying.

The work was all based on extensive research. Following the success of the exhibition I furthered the project with the video. It is intended to be used not just for the public but as a training tool for health and other related professionals such as teachers and police involved in safeguarding children. The Project is called Silent Voices and my aim is to give these children who have died a voice and I hope that my work may help prevent deaths.

What does studying with OCA mean to you?

I've had really good learning experiences and when I first started out the degree was important. It is really great that I have completed and have the certificate. It helps recognise the long journey and the hard work. However my project is bigger than me or my piece of paper. I am spurred on by peoples' response and the amazing support.

What's Next?

My project has made me realise that I am an activist artist, using my art for the power of good and to hopefully improve the lives of children. So far I have raised £1950 for charity and my latter project Silent Voices has raised so far £630 which was donated to Save the Children. I am so excited now as I plan for the exhibition to tour and for the video to be accessible via donations. We are also offering a training day. I cannot believe my good fortune. I've just had an article published about the work and the video in the British Association of Social Workers Journal, The Professional Social Work Journal. This is amazing and opens doorways to all the personnel that matter. A seminar with the exhibition is also being suggested by the organisers. I shared the video with the editor via a zoom meeting. The article came out on my birthday. Excuse the pun but it was like the icing on the cake!

Any advice?

Don't ever be put off or deterred in your beliefs and ambitions. I've had many struggles with people accepting my project as its a difficult subject. Hard work and determination will help you succeed. As my practice teacher once told me, "Water wears away granite!'

Where can we find you?

dlgfineart22.co.uk

dlgfineart@instagram