PERSISTENCE/YORKSHIRE ARTS SPACE
We offer subsidised shared studio space, business training and support.
The scheme is to get Artist's going with their careers, craft based Artist's but also space for Fine Artist's.
Rachel: Can you just tell us how long ago was it you joined Yorkshire Arts Space
Gillian: I studied in London and when I left College I couldn't find anywhere to work and I was desperate to start making sculpture. The spaces in London had 2-3 year waiting lists. I found out about Yorkshire Arts Space from a relative who was already here in Sheffield. So I moved up about 1984 to get a studio in the old building, so I've actually been in Yorkshire Art Space for over 20 years.
Rachel: Sheffield has one of the largest concentration of studio spaces outside of London, so you made the right move.
Gillain: Theres big advantages of staying in Sheffield, I have friends who stayed in London, but I have more opportunities to make a living in Sheffield. Theres quite a lot of Artist's in London and the studios are very expensive, in some ways I have more success being based inSheffield.
Rachel: Where have there been some of your key exhibitions?
Gillian: I have had a lot of exhibitions in Yorkshire but also in other parts of the country. In the end it's down to how good your work is. But in terms of doing other artistic work which I do a lot of I am also working with young people, community projects and making sculptures for the public realm so being in Sheffield is as good as anywhere and because I work in steel and use a lot of engineering processes and techniques everything is on my doorstep and I can get a hold of any materials I want. I've worked in other parts of the country in residencies and found it very hard to get a hold of materials
Rachel: The old studio used to be an old cutlery factory, how does it differ from the one you are in now.
Gillian: The old building like you said was an old cutlery works and wasn't really built to cater for Artist's space. I was in a basement studio, which had a low ceiling and it used to flood on a regularly basis, we were carrying gas bottle up and down steps it was dark and it wasn't ideal. I had a good time there and made some work, but when this studio came up I thought it was amazing and affordable, high ceilings, daylight, 24 access and people know Persistence works, where it is, it gives you a much higher profile. And finally Artist's are getting proper places to work in. we give quite a lot to the community and the city at large and it's quite right we should have a place to work in.