Naomi Marchbank
- Course: BA Fine Art with History of Art (International)
- Nationality: British
What made you want to apply to your course and to Leeds?
I liked the option of doing joint honours with history of art. I wanted to build an artistic practice while still getting a thorough art history education. I would say this is the thing which made the Fine Art course at Leeds stand out against those from other universities.
What aspects of the course do you enjoy the most?
It has been lovely to work in the studio with so many likeminded people, and so closely with the faculty’s technicians, who are all incredible.
One specific highlight of my degree was organising my first ever exhibition, ‘REC.’ in second year. This event was such a confidence boost; its success is something that I am still proud of, even having now organised and been part of a whole host of other events and exhibitions.
Certain classes/lectures I took in first year have been deeply influential for my practice and helped me to find the art historical niche which I based my dissertation on.
What other activities are available for students to take part in outside of their studies, and which ones have you tried out yourself?
I spend most of my time focused on art. We have 24-hour studios, so plenty of time to make whatever you want.
I have organised or been part of a range of different exhibitions and club nights, which are great as ways to start bringing my practice into the real world.
Naomi’s work at the final year degree show.
Did you take a work placement or study abroad year? If so, how did you find this experience and what have you gained from it?
I spent a year living, studying and working in Hungary. It was probably one of the best years of my life. The teachers I had at MKE, the Fine Arts University in Budapest, have left a lasting impression on me and their classes have had a huge impact on my practice. I miss Budapest, and the people I met there, immensely.
The experience brought me a new level of independence and gave me confidence in doing difficult things and taking on new challenges after university.
What would you say to anyone thinking of applying to your course?
I would recommend taking Fine Art at Leeds as a joint honours course, as the other modules really help to enrich the learning experience. However, even with the straight Fine Art course, Leeds students get a richer art historical/cultural education than your average art student.