Martin Creed, London-based Scottish artist visited the university to talk with students about his work and creative experimentations with fear, personality, philosophy and music.
The auditorium in the Sir Ian Wood building was packed on Tuesday as 2001 Turner Prize winner Martin Creed began his endearingly awkward but fascinating talk by divulging his love of wet wipes, due to a fear of feeling dirty.
The London based Scottish artist regaled the atrium with his captivating mannerisms and personality in a two-hour talk on his creative experimentations with fear, personality, communication, philosophy and music. These recurring themes make prominence within his vastly conceptual pieces which he presented with a slideshow, in particular his recently commissioned ‘understanding’ neon and subsidiary works in the same vein.
The several lecturers in attendance sat with much the same eager anticipation and reverence as the students present, it was quite impressive.
Creed rounded out the talk with a rendition of one of his own personal compositions titled ‘Mind Trap’ to a standing ovation from the atrium, before taking a round of questions from both the students and lecturers alike on his working methods and inspirations.
This talk marks the first of several from the Guests at Gray’s programme which encourages artists and creative practitioners to visit the university and deliver talks about their work to help stimulate and inspire the students of Gray’s. We eagerly welcome the next, with many thanks to Martin Creed for his valuable contribution to the illustrious history of RGU