Student Stories: OCA MA Fine Art, Murray Hamilton
Presenting the student story from Murray, an MA Fine Art student at the OCA. Find out more about Murray below and join our Meet the Artist event in September celebrating Murray and his fellow students in their final show. Sign up here.
I am retired and look after my wife full-time. We live in the East Midlands, UK. My background includes commercial and industrial graphics, a BA in Art History with the OU, and an MA in Art Psychotherapy; I also served as a lay minister for several years. I was drawn to the OCA because of my previous positive experience with the OU, and the fully online nature of the course is perfect for my current situation.
What is your previous educational experiences and what drew you to OCA?
I have been involved in art in various ways throughout my life, as part of my work, my own private practice, or study and research. I have long wanted to be more engaged in fine art—to discuss it with like-minded people and expand my creative ideas. Over the years, I managed to study at university level part-time, even while working and caring for my wife. Now that I am retired, I am continuing that journey by doing this Fine Art course, a subject I hold a deep interest and passion for. I have noticed that if you really want to do something and are willing to work for it, a way can be found, and you can make it happen.
Can you describe your OCA journey?
I don’t really discuss my personal challenge with dyslexia publicly, but perhaps it’s time to do so, as it may help someone in a similar situation. Given my age, it was not recognised when I was at school, so I had to work harder to compensate for the challenges I faced. I found that with diligent effort, I could study and write essays at an acceptable level. I would get up early and dedicate extra time to the work, but I enjoyed it because I was making progress and studying a subject I loved. I didn't request extra time or tell anyone about it until my last two university courses. That was simply to let the tutors know my situation, even though I knew I could get extra help and more time if I needed it.
Can you describe the tutor/ peer support at the OCA?
The great thing about the OCA is the association you have with the tutors and the peer group you belong to on your course. Whether in a formal tutorial or a peer group discussion, talking together allows new ideas and perspectives to be identified regarding the particular work you are engaged in. Artists and theories are shared that open your mind to lots of new possibilities. It expands your personal vision of your creative practice.
What does studying with OCA mean to you?
Studying with the OCA means a lot to me. It gives me a great experience with a well-structured course that is challenging and deeply rewarding to work on. It provides the flexibility and advantages of being accessible completely online.
What's Next?
Completing this course takes me to the next level of learning and expands new possibilities I didn’t think were attainable, such as having solo exhibitions. Indeed, tutorials and peer group meetings have given me the confidence and practical ideas to try out new things, leading directly to my first solo exhibition and others that have started to appear.
Any advice?
I found that having time to be still each day—for me, early morning—to think deeply and meditate on what you are doing and what you want to achieve opens up your mind. Then, experimenting on your ideas and having a practice-led research approach pushes you in new and exciting directions that need to be documented and captured in some way. Discussing and sharing your work with others helps get feedback and confirm what is good and appropriate for you, and what can be discarded. I also organise my time carefully and try to keep a healthy balance between study and the rest of my life.
Where can we find you?
For now, the best place to find me and view my work is on my website at:https://scanarttherapy.wixsite.com/murrayhamilton
Comments