Student Stories: Kate Aimson

Presenting our student story from Kate, an MA Fine Art student at the OCA. Find out more about Kate below and join our Meet the Artist event in September celebrating Kate and her fellow students in their final show. Sign up here.

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I'm Kate - just turned sixty, I live in the East Midlands with my husband, where I am free to practice my art in a rural setting. I have previously travelled with my husband for his work, predominantly in locations throughout the South Atlantic, but we are both now permanently in the UK.

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

There have been many reasons why I have been prevented from learning about art academically throughout my life, all deeply traumatic. From the age of 13 until 59, when I was accepted onto this course, I have not been able to fulfil my simple wish to study art. These two years have been very intense, as they represented a lifetime's effort to be heard, but my wish did come to be. It may well be that I could not have completed this MA course at any previous time in my life, and that makes it even more wondrous that I applied just in time before this MA was discontinued. All the stars aligned for me in the end.

Can you describe your OCA journey?

In my last tutorial I was able to express my gratitude that I had been accepted onto this course with no formal art qualifications, instead with professional experience. I told my tutor that I was grateful for the chance I had been given. That was enough in itself, but she then replied that it had not been a chance, that I had earned my place. It has been truly life-changing to have had these experiences. To have finally overcome all the barriers that I have faced in life to arrive in the position that I am in now means the world to me.

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

At the same time that I applied for this course, I also started the process of receiving a diagnosis of neurodiversity. This process of discovering your true neurodivergent self is known as 'unmasking', and I am very grateful to my tutors and my peer group for their support and for providing a safe space in which I could unmask. I have felt safe to be myself and I have been accepted for who I am, which has been the most positive experience. I had a take a break this unit when I was overwhelmed by a health issue, and my tutors, and my peers have rallied round me in the most caring manner.

What does studying with OCA mean to you?

This two year course has been a very intense time of practical therapy, resolving many issues from my past; but also a time of total joy being immersed in all aspects of contemporary art. From now on, I intend to continue with practicing art in the present, having finally resolved the past.

What's Next?

Considering my Professional Practice Plan as part of the curriculum of the MA course has lead to a desire to carry on with academic research. I have been encouraged with this aim by my tutors, and with the help of my tutor I have just composed and sent an email of enquiry to the University of Derby, where I hope to continue research related to site specific and regional heritage subjects.

Any advice?

I can only suggest that people enjoy their course because any knowledge you can acquire about art, it's history, practice and research is the best thing in the world.

Where can we find you?

website: kateaimson.wixsite.com/my-site-1/

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