'It was time to smash my practice to pieces': Mark McLeish's postgraduate journey

Our annual MA Show showcases an exciting variety of work by emerging and established artists and designers, who have undertaken postgraduate study with us.

To celebrate the show, we’ll be focusing on some of our favourite pieces from this year’s exhibition, as well as the opinions and experiences of the students that have created them.

We previously discussed artistic evolution and experimentation with Francesca Hughes. In this instalment, we explore the work and postgraduate journey of jewellery designer Mark McLeish.

What are the key themes and interests of the work you are showing in this year’s MA Show?

‘I am interested in the language of how art jewellery can be a transmitter for conversation and how reading changes on and off the body. The tension of objects becoming memory aids and witnessing moments by association is something I long the work to become.

This is the pull I make my work until, while wanting to capture personal provenance. My work is charged with its own voice: may it be political, with anti-fracking statements and Brexit commentary, or social; with how the work is viewed and materials used.’

How has studying MA Design: Jewellery changed your work?

‘I have traditional training in silversmithing and jewellery, so had a strong skillset before taking the MA. But, I felt it was time to smash my practice to pieces and glue it back together in a way that would provoke more questions than answers.

The MA here has enabled me to slow down and notice key important benefits to my work; but what’s proven more it that it’s altered how I make the work.

A large amount of my time was collecting evidence to all the invisible behind-the-scenes activities that document how my work comes together and an output of thinking. The relationship with my studio became a sub-artwork growing as my year went on.

An unexpected discovery was that of book binding. The application of new and traditional techniques to re-voice the tangible form of your work is one that I have experimented within the School.’

What have you enjoyed about studying your MA degree?

‘I’ve relished the cooperation with my peers in ways of tutorials, collaborations and working in the studio space. It’s a fascinating privilege to view how other talented individuals generate their work.

Another aspect of my studies that elevated my learning experience is Special Collections, where physical objects by that are historically important and made by award-winning makers can be viewed. Not to mention the Artists’ books. I spent a lot of time there.’

What are your thoughts on completing the MA and the MA show?

‘The work in show is testament of intensive research that is encouraged from a variety of directions and how as an individual you wish to investigate, and interrogate this to distil your work in a more poetically profound way.

My work has grown in ways that can be visually seen and I can honestly see clarity of truth in the results. I describe my work as heterogeneous artefacts that confront real life and an anthology of objects in constant breaths of change. As an artist, I have a clearer path to how I will progress my work to new developments, as it is just the start of something new.

I will leave you with a piece of text I wrote at the end of my study:

I have confronted the space that I hide things and realised that the truths are in the results I make. The newness came from time and attacking myself with questions that have no answers only compromise and distraction.

These shake off the dust and stimulate movements and recognition for what I think is important and honest.

I know myself better. I leave you only to start with the old complications of what it takes to make you more than you are.

I want you to know that I am thankful for the clarity and the freedom of self.

Here is where I see you.

Remember you are here…’

You can see Mark’s work at our MA Show until 8 October. To find out more information about the show, its opening times and to view other students’ work visit: www.art.mmu.ac.uk/mashow/

You can also find out more about Mark and his work on his blog: www.markmcleish.blogspot.com