Emily Norfolk & Joella Gardner
Graduate Scheme showcase 2022
OUTPOST is pleased to present the work of Emily Norfolk and Joella Gardner in this exhibition which celebrates the end of their graduate residency. Over the past year both have shared a studio space at Gildengate House, after being successfully selected to take part in the residency in 2021. The residency has allowed them both space for their creative practice after completing their studies at Norwich University of the Arts.
A conversation between Emma Cracknell, Emily Norfolk and Joella Gardner
EC: How has working together in a shared studio space during the graduate residency influenced your individual practices?
JG: It has been lovely working in a shared studio, but actually due to our individual commitments and busy schedules, Emily and I have rarely been in the studio at the same time! Nevertheless, it has been very beneficial having a working space alongside each other; a dedicated art studio space is exactly what I needed and has been invaluable to the development of my creative practice. We are lucky enough to be able to continue sharing the studio after our graduate residency has come to an end, and I am really looking forward to exploring and creating new works alongside each other.
EN: We’re very much like passing ships. But that works for us I think, it’s nice to come in and to see another beautiful work that Joella has made pop up as if by magic. It’s motivating to share a space with someone who produces such elegant work so effortlessly. But I think primarily what has influenced my practice is the support we have given each other, we’re very much in it together and it's great to have someone around you that's in the same boat.
EC: Has working in the OUTPOST creative community been beneficial over the past year? Have you made new connections and been able to grow your creative network?
EN: Absolutely! I have my dream job now and there's no way I would be there without the time, experience and connections that I have gained whilst being at OUTPOST.
JG: As it can often be difficult to catch up with people in person due to conflicting schedules, Instagram has proved to be a great way to connect with others from the OUTPOST studios and provide positive feedback on each other's work. Being in such a creative environment, both physically and online, has provided constant sources of inspiration, motivated me to keep creating and also helped keep me up to date with current exhibitions and open evenings. The opportunities to exhibit work in the OUTPOST studio holders show and StudioUS exhibition in Great Yarmouth have also enabled me to expand my creative network and help me feel more involved in the community.
Joella Gardner
EC: You both have practices that have different physical outcomes, are there any concepts or ideas that tie your work together?
EN: I think that we are both very aware of the space around us when creating and exhibiting works and this is something that comes across in the delivery of our sculptural works.
JG: I believe the importance around the process of making is something that ties our work together. Emily’s process is laborious and her works are produced by both physical and emotional suffering, which is something I can definitely relate to! I often become overambitious with more technical projects, forcing me to test my patience and skills. However, I do like to create a balance and therefore also produce works that allow a more meditative approach where I can just lose myself in the process of applying and manipulating paper pulp and natural materials to create something that evolves more organically.
EC: Could you talk us through the work that you have produced over the course of the residency? Not all of it will be on show in the exhibition so how have you selected what you are going to include?
EN: This year I have had to largely focus my time on my employment and it’s been really hard in all honesty to feel like an artist within that. The works I produced tended to be writing based, I felt a real separation from sculpture and my most used materials for a while. When I was working as a cabinet maker's apprentice earlier in the year I started to produce a series of wooden sculptures and small pieces which I thought would be included in the show, however to be honest once I had the concept for this body ‘choosing’ what to show was pretty instinctual.
JG: As I have been experimenting rather extensively with soil and other natural materials throughout the residency, I wanted to show a variety of the results and demonstrate the versatility of the medium. My works therefore include a variety of sculpture, painting and prints and are primarily what I would consider the better outcomes from a lot of trial and error and learning through making. Although our works are quite different, as this is a collaborative exhibition, I also wanted to select works that would compliment Emily’s and make best use of the exhibition space.
Emily Norfolk
EC: As you reflect on the past year, where do you think you’ll take your practice next? Do you have any plans for new work?
JG: I’m not sure really, I have been so busy recently working towards this exhibition and a few other projects, that I have not really had much time to think about it. I have no new works lined up for the immediate future, and it has been quite a full on year, so it would be nice to take some time to just slow down a bit, spend some time looking for new inspiration, and explore some new techniques.
EN: I already have my next body of work planned out actually! Very unusual for me. I think that ‘Nothing to show for it’ feels very cathartic to me and has almost felt like I’m starting a new chapter within my practice. My new work will focus much more on film I believe, which is very exciting.
EC: And finally, could you sum up your experience of the past year in a few sentences?
EN: Challenging. Lonely. Rewarding. Revealing. Poignant. Beautiful.
JG: Graduating from university with a degree in Fine Art with no clear plan ahead was a daunting experience, but having the support from OUTPOST and an opportunity to continue to learn, practice and just be an artist has made the past year an amazing experience. I have been lucky enough to get involved with lots of opportunities, exhibitions and commissions which I have not only learnt so much from but have also really helped me to find my path and place in the creative community.
