bursaries 2002 - first bursary jonathan edgarAs part of Discerning Eye's desire to expand its educational activities, it was decided towards the end of 2001 that we would offer our first bursary.It was agreed that the bursary should be provided to cover the cost of tuition fees for the period of one academic year and was offered to the Frink School of Figurative Sculpture. Having received numerous applications, the Educational Advisory Board was given the task of selecting a student to receive the award. After much deliberation the award of £1,700 was given to Jonathan Edgar. This is how he described what the award meant to him - "I was successful in being awarded a bursary for the second year of my studies at the Frink School of Figurative Sculpture from the Discerning Eye charitable trust. This contributes towards my fees and will make a real difference to the ability to concentrate on developing my sculpture, rather than trying to make ends meet.  ′The Futurists′ by Jonathan Edgar The first year at the Frink has been a rollercoaster ride; exploring materials and techniques that tutors introduce to allow students ideas to develop from. I have worked hard on my observational skills, and portraiture in clay has been the definitive test to follow and represent form as it exists, rather than how we think it may exist. My drawing skills have improved considerably but will still be a target area for next year. The award has increased my confidence to follow advice from the final year assessment; in 2002/3 I will try to build on the 'firm foundations' and move from essentially life studies and form-based exercises, to consider the feelings and energies required to make true sculpture stand out. I have been successful in getting one piece accepted in the Millfield Summer Sculpture Show this year and am starting to make links around my home county of Northamptonshire and further afield, which will be important after the two development years at the Frink end." ... and later, Jon brought us up to date with his progress at the Frink School ... "Approaching the final term of the second and final year at the Frink School I am feeling more confident in my observational work which seems the vital ground work for sculpture. Trying to capture the incredulity, rhythm and movement in life studies holds many clues for making good sculpture that may raise the spirit of a viewer... or at least encourage a second, longer look. For this reason I will work to encourage portraiture commissions in future, as a discipline to help improve and help fund my sculpture.  ′Primitive′ by Jonathan Edgar My handling of form seems to have improved dramatically with carving in wood. A notoriously difficult material to work, its limitations have helped me make sculptural decisions which sometimes yield that magic spark... and also to slow the pace of work to enable more objectivity and consideration in planning how best a developing piece should 'read'.The source of material is important to me, and energy expended whilst dragging a tree stump a mile over Dartmoor, or trying to wedge an 8-foot oak gatepost into a car passenger seat, seems to help concentrate the mind on ideas and feelings for a potential piece ahead. I will continue carving in the future and am amassing holly, lime, yew, oak, fruitwood and hornbeam whenever storms pass through...The Frink School is a remarkable place which, in partnership with other charitable funders like Discerning Eye, is helping a small number of developing sculptors battle against the tide of clever, instant conceptualism which currently grips Britain and the majority of its state-funded colleges and institutions. Deep down we know that the only certainty in life is change, and that simple truth and reason will return to the art 'market' - but it is sad that there are so few role models living and sculpting who we can continue to look up to through our lives."  Copyright © 2002-2010 The Discerning Eye ~ Web site by Shepperton Software |
HOME
BURSARIES