Beth Emily Richards

Beth came along to the college to give us a lecture from the perspective of a practising artists. She is also employed on a part time basis at the University. This was something she said was very important; as an artist it is advantageous to earn a regular income which also gives you plenty of time to continue with personal practise. Beth had studied at the Art College.After achieving her BA, she moved to work and live in London, but decided to return to her home city of Plymouth where she felt that it would be more beneficial for her.  She saw that there would be less competition in applying for funding and be better placed to continue with her art work .

Beth showed us examples of her work which concentrates on Performance Art and Video Editing. She is very interested in photographing "endurance,"  looking at how the body can be pushed to its limits. She also looks at how photography is manipulated and how information can be falsified depending how a photograph is placed in a context.

After the British Art Show left Plymouth, Beth became involved with a performance group, this is their website www.cometours.co.uk

In Beth's lecture she mentioned other artists' who had influenced her own work. These were Chris Burden and John Baldessari.

Chris Burden "5 Day Locker Piece"

With thanks to www.liveplaces.com for this image

John Baldessari (1973) "Throwing three balls to make a straight line"

with thanks to goodformenwithbeards.blogspot.com for this image

Beth left us with an important message "make opportunities happen"