“I chose History of Art and Design at Brighton because it did not just teach Renaissance painting and classical sculpture – the inclusion of design into the curriculum has given me a very well-rounded understanding of art history. Following graduation, I will be working in the Estates, Appraisals & Valuations department of Christie’s Auction House.”
Hi Kat. Please tell us a bit about your work and your influences
“My dissertation centres around a debate that is increasingly prevalent in recent years – the separation of art from the artist. This topic affects more than just the art world, with it penetrating the film and corporate industries as well. I was drawn to it because of its ability to be talked about in any capacity, from dinner party debates to scholarly investigations. In my dissertation, I specifically examine the debate with relation to 20th-century abusive or allegedly abusive artists that are often classified as ‘Artist Geniuses’ and the effect that that classification has on the treatment of those artists within a museum context.”
How have you found your course and time at Brighton?
“I have absolutely loved my time at Brighton – it is obvious that the curriculum is constantly evolving to keep up with contemporary debates within the art sector, such as feminist revisionist histories and decolonising museums. The highlight of the course was the passion and kindness of the tutors. Especially through the pandemic, the tutors were extremely understanding, compassionate and truly wanted the students to succeed. Their unwavering kindness motivated me to try my absolute best in my course and beyond.”
How did you choose your course – why did you choose to study your course?
“I selected the History of Art and Design course at Brighton because it did not just teach Renaissance painting and classical sculpture – the course’s inclusion of design into the curriculum has given me a very well-rounded understanding of art history. It included interior design, architecture, furniture, ceramics, etc. and really made me reconsider what I considered art. The course also taught art theory to parallel the teaching of objects and art movements throughout history, which aided in my understanding of how to analyse art and art history.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“Following graduation, I will be starting a new position in the Estates, Appraisals & Valuations department of Christie’s Auction House. This is a six month position, after which I will be completing my MA in Luxury Business at Sotheby’s Institute of Art. While I am still not entirely decided on which path my career will take in the future (Gallerist? Curator? Consultant? Businesswoman?) I am enjoying gaining as much experience as I can within the widely varied arts sector.”
Visit Kat’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynklepp
Find out about studying History of Art and Design at the University of Brighton.
