Tod Jones

Year of Graduation: 2018

  • Course MA Fine Art
  • School Wolverhampton School of Art
  • Nationality British
  • Career industry Artist/photography
  • Current job title Artist/photographer

University wasn't one of those strange dreams that you watch from afar. It was a real experience... a dream that I lived.

Going back to University with a different perspective on life was incredible. I hadn’t planned this, but a friend/artist Adam Bryce convinced me to return. It was so motivating being in the Art School, it’s almost like the place has a creative energy that touches the soul. The studio spaces were amazing, and were where my work and ideas really flourished. All the great staff at the art school were always so kind and helpful. Dr. Dean Kelland the MA course leader was someone who I’d not previously been lectured by, and he drove the course with such an intelligent, kind and down-to-earth manner. My other core lecturer (who had also never taught me) was Dr. Euripides Altintzoglou who was also extremely knowledgeable and inspiring to be around.
Having conversations with such gifted people was personally an unforgettable experience, so listen, learn and ask questions. Not just your personal lecturer either, but all staff and other students too. We can all learn something from each other, so just go into your chosen course with an open mind and communicate with all. Experiment as much as possible! Break out of any comfort zones, produce new work and try things you’ve only dreamed of.

I’m a practising artist and photographer who is currently one of the AA2A Artist in Residents at the Wolverhampton School of Art. This means spending time on site, engaging with students/staff and I'm able to use the facilities to help work on my practice. The MA work I was doing didn’t just stop on each assessment, final hand-in or even after graduating. I found inspiration from developing practical work and continuing the research which had led to more enquiries. I focused heavily on studio work whilst on a residency at The New Art Gallery Walsall. The residency meant quality time to develop work and have a fantastic engagement with all of the team at the gallery. Whilst being an AA2A artist at the School, discussions with Dr Simon Harris have led me to look at the broader field of philosophy.

My work is based around spaces, objects, materials and experience. Often the use of basic materials such as wood, tape, paint and dust are used to create these installations. Through the process of setting up such an event, the work is heavily documented through photography. This photographic evidence can be its own branch of practice as the imaginary is often quite abstract. Aspects of the work such as the ephemerality has steered me to look into eastern aesthetics and philosophies.

Portfolio Images

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