AAH Student Summer School 2003
Held at the University of Edinburgh, 28-29 July 2003
Heading north of the border this year, the Student Members Group convened in Edinburgh for a two-day Summer School on 28th and 29th July. Held at the University of Edinburgh, the conference was a chance for students to meet, present papers and hear from professionals in the field, with the grand finale being a visit behind the scenes at the National Gallery of Scotland during the hanging of the Monet exhibition.
Twenty people attended the conference and were welcomed by Jason Shron, Chair of the Student Subcommittee and PhD candidate at the University of Birmingham, before hearing a keynote address delivered by Professor Robert Hillenbrand, professor of Islamic Art at the University of Edinburgh. Prof. Hillenbrand spoke off-the-cuff and his remarks were informal, but stern, as he urged students to do three things: write every day, write every day, write every day! He also advised developing a network and not to get discouraged – advice that may be easier said than done, but important to remember nonetheless.
Next came a Careers Workshop, led by Jason and fellow Subcommittee member, Aislinn Loconte, where a panel of four art historians spoke to the group about their different professions and how they came to be where they are now. First to speak was Patsy Campbell, Senior Lecturer and Supervisor of the Departmental Conservation Research Laboratory at the University of Edinburgh who talked about how she had helped to develop the Research Laboratory over the years. The next speaker was Elizabeth Cowling, also a Senior Lecturer at the University. Besides her academic work, she is also a freelance curator and so she talked about how she first got into mounting exhibitions and how much she enjoys that side of her work. Viccy Coltman spoke next. She joined the University of Edinburgh in 2002 as a Lecturer and so her recent experience of looking for a permanent position was especially resonant for the students. The final speaker was Stacy Boldrick who is the Administrator of the Visual Arts Research Institute. Her work at the Institute involves supporting research and promoting contacts between scholars and institutions. A lively question and answer session followed as the student members had plenty of queries about what they can expect in their own future paths.
The first student to present a paper at the conference was Anne Cowe of the University of Edinburgh who talked about ‘A Working Village: Sisley at Saint-Mammès’. Her presentation included many slides of Sisley’s paintings of Saint-Mammès, with images of people working and going about daily life in the small river village – subjects not usually found in paintings of rural France at that time.
Next to present a paper was Sophie Bostock, University of East Anglia, whose subject was ‘Domenico Tiepolo’s Divertimento per li Regazzi in a Historical and Biographical context’ (the non-standard Italian spelling is taken directly from the book of drawings). Although the title was more than a mouthful, the talk was an interesting look at the unusual drawings and prints of Domenico, son of Giambattista, whose subject was various scenarios in the life of Commedia dell’Arte character, Puncinello.
After a tea and coffee break the group reconvened for a workshop, Improving your CV and getting your name out there, led by Veronica Davies. Veronica’s experience as an employer meant that she had some very good tips to share, both on the content of CVs and ways to start making a name for yourself, such as volunteering for work placements, giving papers or writing reviews and articles for publications in the field. The multi-talented Mr. Shron, a professional graphic designer as well as a student, offered tips on how to select the right fonts and visual layout to make your CV look professional and easy to comprehend.
Wrapping up the day was another workshop and chance to hear from the sharp end as Jill Burke spoke about Getting Published. Jill is an AHRB Post-Doctoral Research Fellow who has a book coming out soon with Pennsylvania State University Press. She was able to offer invaluable advice and insights on the trials and tribulations of actually pulling together all the details involved in getting a book delivered to the publisher. The session was facilitated by Aislinn and ended with plenty of questions.
As a reward to a busy and full day, several people met to go out to sample Edinburgh’s finest food, on a student size budget. Some chose vegetarian and were extremely pleased with the meals at Kalpna. However, since we were in Scotland, several attendees opted to try haggis. I was included in the group who grabbed the first taxi and ended up in Grassmarket at MaggieDickson’s and, although I avoided haggis and went for Cumberland sausage and mash instead, I was the first person in our party to try a Death Tube – some kind of liquor concoction which, thankfully, didn’t seem to have any adverse effects. The atmosphere was great, the food was good and all I can say is, if you ever get to Edinburgh you really should go to Maggie Dickson’s!
Our second morning kicked off with a workshop on Giving a good conference paper. Led by Jason, he used as an example one of his own papers as he talked us through ways to adapt an essay from the printed page to an interesting and memorable presentation. After the workshop, the first paper of the day was presented by Aislinn Loconte, Oxford University. The subject, ‘Patronage as Partnership: Sancia of Majorca, Giovanna I and the Construction of the Funerary Monument of Robert d’Anjou in Naples’, revolved not only around the actual construction, design and placement of the monument, but also dealt with the social environment of the powerful women of the kingdom as Aislinn argued that this tomb represented the first commission of such a monument by women.
Next was a workshop led by Graeme Smart, who introduced Richard Williams, Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, to speak about Research and thesis writing tips. Although his advice may have seemed contrary to what some supervisors say, he said that there’s no need to worry if the thesis is not clear and concise in the first year or two. His suggested it was more important to keep reading and to become fully familiar with your subject and the focus will develop over time.
After a tea break, we reconvened to hear a paper presented by Caroline Stevens, National Library of Wales, who spoke about a little-known Welsh artist, Brenda Chamberlain. The title of the paper was ‘An Accidental Collection: Joan Rees and Brenda Chamberlain’ and dealt with the works of Chamberlain, a poet as well as an artist, that passed into the hands of Joan Rees before being acquired by the National Library of Wales.
Claudia Heide, University of Edinburgh, presented next, talking on the subject ‘The Many Lives of Pascual de Gayangos’. Another subject who is not particularly well-known, de Gayangos was an Arabist who, although he spent most of his life in exile in London, wrote extensively about Spain. He was a man of many interests and talents who became best known Britain for his Handbook for Travellers in Spain, printed in 1845.
The final paper of the day was ‘The Warholian Tracey Emin’ and was presented by Outi K. Remes of the University of Reading. This unique take on modern celebrity and art explored the ways that the artist’s life as a spectacle becomes a form of art in itself, with the obvious choices of Warhol and Emin as examples of this.
The presentations and workshops were wrapped up with a discussion and lunch, but the Summer School wasn’t over yet. We all made our way down to the National Gallery of Scotland where it had been arranged that we would view the hanging of the show, Monet: the Seine and the Sea, in the newly refurbished Royal Scottish Academy. Breaking up into two groups, we were given a tour and talk by curator Richard Thomson who led us through the exhibit. He told us how the display had developed, what choices had been made in selecting paintings as well as wall colours, and how the pictures were put together to show particular contrasts or similarities – even to the point of using paintings by other artists of the same period who painted the same subjects. It was a fascinating chance to see the process behind the exhibit and to understand how the viewer would experience the paintings as s/he moves through the rooms. Definitely ending the Summer School on a high note, it was the climax to a marvellous conference and I hope next year will be as much fun!
Valerie Spanswick
Twenty people attended the conference and were welcomed by Jason Shron, Chair of the Student Subcommittee and PhD candidate at the University of Birmingham, before hearing a keynote address delivered by Professor Robert Hillenbrand, professor of Islamic Art at the University of Edinburgh. Prof. Hillenbrand spoke off-the-cuff and his remarks were informal, but stern, as he urged students to do three things: write every day, write every day, write every day! He also advised developing a network and not to get discouraged – advice that may be easier said than done, but important to remember nonetheless.
Next came a Careers Workshop, led by Jason and fellow Subcommittee member, Aislinn Loconte, where a panel of four art historians spoke to the group about their different professions and how they came to be where they are now. First to speak was Patsy Campbell, Senior Lecturer and Supervisor of the Departmental Conservation Research Laboratory at the University of Edinburgh who talked about how she had helped to develop the Research Laboratory over the years. The next speaker was Elizabeth Cowling, also a Senior Lecturer at the University. Besides her academic work, she is also a freelance curator and so she talked about how she first got into mounting exhibitions and how much she enjoys that side of her work. Viccy Coltman spoke next. She joined the University of Edinburgh in 2002 as a Lecturer and so her recent experience of looking for a permanent position was especially resonant for the students. The final speaker was Stacy Boldrick who is the Administrator of the Visual Arts Research Institute. Her work at the Institute involves supporting research and promoting contacts between scholars and institutions. A lively question and answer session followed as the student members had plenty of queries about what they can expect in their own future paths.
The first student to present a paper at the conference was Anne Cowe of the University of Edinburgh who talked about ‘A Working Village: Sisley at Saint-Mammès’. Her presentation included many slides of Sisley’s paintings of Saint-Mammès, with images of people working and going about daily life in the small river village – subjects not usually found in paintings of rural France at that time.
Next to present a paper was Sophie Bostock, University of East Anglia, whose subject was ‘Domenico Tiepolo’s Divertimento per li Regazzi in a Historical and Biographical context’ (the non-standard Italian spelling is taken directly from the book of drawings). Although the title was more than a mouthful, the talk was an interesting look at the unusual drawings and prints of Domenico, son of Giambattista, whose subject was various scenarios in the life of Commedia dell’Arte character, Puncinello.
After a tea and coffee break the group reconvened for a workshop, Improving your CV and getting your name out there, led by Veronica Davies. Veronica’s experience as an employer meant that she had some very good tips to share, both on the content of CVs and ways to start making a name for yourself, such as volunteering for work placements, giving papers or writing reviews and articles for publications in the field. The multi-talented Mr. Shron, a professional graphic designer as well as a student, offered tips on how to select the right fonts and visual layout to make your CV look professional and easy to comprehend.
Wrapping up the day was another workshop and chance to hear from the sharp end as Jill Burke spoke about Getting Published. Jill is an AHRB Post-Doctoral Research Fellow who has a book coming out soon with Pennsylvania State University Press. She was able to offer invaluable advice and insights on the trials and tribulations of actually pulling together all the details involved in getting a book delivered to the publisher. The session was facilitated by Aislinn and ended with plenty of questions.
As a reward to a busy and full day, several people met to go out to sample Edinburgh’s finest food, on a student size budget. Some chose vegetarian and were extremely pleased with the meals at Kalpna. However, since we were in Scotland, several attendees opted to try haggis. I was included in the group who grabbed the first taxi and ended up in Grassmarket at MaggieDickson’s and, although I avoided haggis and went for Cumberland sausage and mash instead, I was the first person in our party to try a Death Tube – some kind of liquor concoction which, thankfully, didn’t seem to have any adverse effects. The atmosphere was great, the food was good and all I can say is, if you ever get to Edinburgh you really should go to Maggie Dickson’s!
Our second morning kicked off with a workshop on Giving a good conference paper. Led by Jason, he used as an example one of his own papers as he talked us through ways to adapt an essay from the printed page to an interesting and memorable presentation. After the workshop, the first paper of the day was presented by Aislinn Loconte, Oxford University. The subject, ‘Patronage as Partnership: Sancia of Majorca, Giovanna I and the Construction of the Funerary Monument of Robert d’Anjou in Naples’, revolved not only around the actual construction, design and placement of the monument, but also dealt with the social environment of the powerful women of the kingdom as Aislinn argued that this tomb represented the first commission of such a monument by women.
Next was a workshop led by Graeme Smart, who introduced Richard Williams, Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, to speak about Research and thesis writing tips. Although his advice may have seemed contrary to what some supervisors say, he said that there’s no need to worry if the thesis is not clear and concise in the first year or two. His suggested it was more important to keep reading and to become fully familiar with your subject and the focus will develop over time.
After a tea break, we reconvened to hear a paper presented by Caroline Stevens, National Library of Wales, who spoke about a little-known Welsh artist, Brenda Chamberlain. The title of the paper was ‘An Accidental Collection: Joan Rees and Brenda Chamberlain’ and dealt with the works of Chamberlain, a poet as well as an artist, that passed into the hands of Joan Rees before being acquired by the National Library of Wales.
Claudia Heide, University of Edinburgh, presented next, talking on the subject ‘The Many Lives of Pascual de Gayangos’. Another subject who is not particularly well-known, de Gayangos was an Arabist who, although he spent most of his life in exile in London, wrote extensively about Spain. He was a man of many interests and talents who became best known Britain for his Handbook for Travellers in Spain, printed in 1845.
The final paper of the day was ‘The Warholian Tracey Emin’ and was presented by Outi K. Remes of the University of Reading. This unique take on modern celebrity and art explored the ways that the artist’s life as a spectacle becomes a form of art in itself, with the obvious choices of Warhol and Emin as examples of this.
The presentations and workshops were wrapped up with a discussion and lunch, but the Summer School wasn’t over yet. We all made our way down to the National Gallery of Scotland where it had been arranged that we would view the hanging of the show, Monet: the Seine and the Sea, in the newly refurbished Royal Scottish Academy. Breaking up into two groups, we were given a tour and talk by curator Richard Thomson who led us through the exhibit. He told us how the display had developed, what choices had been made in selecting paintings as well as wall colours, and how the pictures were put together to show particular contrasts or similarities – even to the point of using paintings by other artists of the same period who painted the same subjects. It was a fascinating chance to see the process behind the exhibit and to understand how the viewer would experience the paintings as s/he moves through the rooms. Definitely ending the Summer School on a high note, it was the climax to a marvellous conference and I hope next year will be as much fun!
Valerie Spanswick