“As a recent graduate, being a part of the Ones to Watch 2025 show at Sunny Bank Mills, and winning the People’s Choice Award, has been an amazing experience.
I want to start by being honest and saying that I applied in 2024 when I was in my final year of university and was unsuccessful. As a student finding their practice, trying to work out the art world and wondering if a career as an artist after university is possible, the rejections early on can be a harsh sting and make you feel as though you’re not good enough to pursue that path. But do persist and believe in yourself and your work. You are going receive way more rejections than acceptances, so you need to keep your chin up and invest time in to building your confidence and determination (which I am still learning to do). Sometimes it’s not anything against your work, it might just be the wrong size, not fit for a specific audience or not look right in that space, so I try my best not to take it personally. I applied again in 2025 and was successful.
A lot of the time when I make work, especially if it is for a show, I think about audiences and the viewer. What is it about me that I want them to know? Can I spread knowledge and education through the work? Or can I evoke a feeling? People, storytelling and human experiences are always at the forefront of my work. Knowing that so many people voted for my work because they felt connected to it meant so much to me.
My prize was having a free studio for three months in their Twisting studio space. I strategically chose my three months to lead up to a show I was in, part of Bradford 2025 City of Culture programme. Having the biggest space I have ever had to make work meant that I could go bigger with my ambitions and I am glad to say that I managed to get everything that I had planned to do done.
The Sunny Bank Mills team and other studio holders helped me so much; carrying ladders around site, letting me use other rooms to dry hangings, lending me equipment, printing things amongst chats, giving advice and lots of tea. Sharing the space with a mix of great artists with different practices was inspiring; I got to hear about different careers, make new connections, do my favourite thing: learn and make. It also gave me a glimpse into my future as an artist with a studio where I can bring curators, mentors and peers for crits, meetings and practical help. Even seemingly small things like being able to leave my work out and having it there the next day as I left it, having 24/7 access so I can work when suits my body best and a small kitchen so I could warm up food meant that I was able to be in an environment where I could make work to the best of my ability. The site sells itself with the choice of cafes, having SCRAP and other creative businesses there makes you feel a part of a professional community with shared passions, and I especially enjoyed my visit to the Museum & Archive on site.
Definitely apply for Ones to Watch; there are multiple prizes up for grabs, opportunities to talk to groups that come to the Gallery about your work, lead workshops related to your practice, sell your work in the shop and of course exhibit in a beautiful space and meet other artists at similar stages to you.
A big thank you to the Sunny Bank Mills team for having me.”
Apply to be part of Ones To Watch 2026 via this link. Applications close at Midnight on 14th November.
Back To Blog Next (Preserving Human Stories – Sophie Smith: Leeds Beckett student placement) Prev (‘She will live on for another century’)
Tags
General