HEADLINE TALK: RICHARD WENTWORTH

Words: Kate Rintoul / Images: Ash Tailor

Sculptor Richard Wentworth’s talk was much a look at his lifeasan artsist as it was a philosophical debate on what it means to produce art. Amongst plenty of food for thought were some great pieces of advice.

Be weary of the word ‘career’: A career is something wide that covres everyaspect of your life, including children and personal experiences. I’ve never been one of theose people who knows where I’ll be in five years, a career is what you leave behind, I see it in a more retrospective way.

Ask questions about yourself: Much like pillars hold buildings up, there are certain people or traits in us that help us professionally, you should question what these are. I’ve realised that I’m very good at making my own luck and have overcome my shyness to become known as someone who overcomes the social mark.

All you’ve got is each other: you’ll find it  difficult if you don’t know how to befirend or recognise value in people. You need to realise that everything we do is a trade and think about what you an give to others.

Remember to talk to other people: And for godske don’t have a partner that does the same thing as you. While it’s great to have friends with something oin common don’t limit yourself to one group, its too tribal and airless. If you’re an illustrator make friends with someone in the Opera, if your in the Opera befriend a tree surgeon.

Not everyone is an orginator: This is a hard truth to face, I’m not one. When you realise this you then have to discover what you are, you might be an excellent collaborator or a highly indiviual asberger-ish ‘don’t bother me type’.

CVs are inappropriate: When it comes down to it exhanges and opportunities are often very personal, people want you not a CV.

It sounds old fashioned but…I still think that stamina, persistence and manners are the best ways to success. Put yourself out there, hold an exhibition in your house, paint your front door, engage your intellectual capacity.