I have decided to write about the approaching culmination of finishing my degree, i know we are meant to write about a related science/ technology related topic but i'm going to link this into the humanities/ social science arena.
The best things about the last three years of distance studies for me is 1. I didn't think I could do academic studies, after going to art school which was really hands on and will always be my first passion and painting for twelve years full time, I decided I needed to branch out and extend myself. I found it challenging navigating the online learning environment to begin with and getting my head around the work load was challenging but after taking the introductory Social Anthropology paper I fell in love with the subject.
I have always had an interest in cultures and peoples, especially indigenous and human rights aspects, along this course i have found some new loves- that of environmental factors, social relationships, power and have been able to make sense of the world a little more with theorists like Bourdieu and others.
My art has taken me to the outback of Australia and other places where i have seen and heard stories first hand and lived experiences. My studies I think will compliment my art and vice versa. My ultimate goal would to be working for an NGO, preferable in the Pacific in the development arena, Samoa would be terrific due to the time i have already spent there and my historical roots.
I would love to to post-grad study, just figuring out the mechanics of that is the hardest part, but development studies Masters would be a dream for me to be able to do. So i have the practical aspects which join nicely with research and theoretical dimensions of Anthropology.
I'm happy that i'm finally finding my direction, where i can incorporate both of my passions. I dont want to bore anyone so since our next assignment is more focused on visual presentation i'll leave you with some visual images.
Thanks for being a great team and look forward to our next assignment :-)
4 comments:
Hi Jess
I love it when you talk about your passions. You can feel the fire that drives you. I think you’d be terrific working for a NGO; someone they could rely on to see the best in people and work hard for minority rights.
On a personal level, I’d love to find out where your family come from in Samoa. Haven’t spent any time more than a holiday but there’s something about it, you can feel a pull in your gut.
Love, love, love the paintings. The ladies look like they could be my aunties when they get together for reunions.
Cheers Jess
Hi Jess,
Your art is stunning. It must be wonderful to have such a special gift that allows you to interpret the world in a beautiful way.
It must be very exciting to be approaching graduation, having learnt so much about your passion! I'm still a long way off, but I hope that as I progress, I'm also able to 'find my way' in terms of combining my talents and passions into something I can contribute that feels authentic and true to who I am. I find that to be such a difficult thing to do, because I seem to have too many interests, and in too many areas.
I'd also enjoy working in the Pacific in future, possibly through helping to work out environmental solutions to the challenges that are growing more urgent, and maybe even using the knowledge from my business degree to provide mentoring to grassroots businesses.
Cheers,
Michelle
Hi Jess,
Congratulations on your upcoming completion of your degree! The idea of finishing my degree seems so far off it's exciting and scary to think about. Whatever it is you end up doing I'm sure you will do a great job.
I admire you for branching out into new things after doing art for so long; it's easy to stay put in routines and starting study is such a big step into something new.
Your art is amazing! I think your art being so connected to your interest in other cultures means that you're a really good anthropologist; you're actually paying attention to the details of the cultures you're looking at.
Hi Jess,
Love the stretch you've made for "social sciences" haha :)
Hearing about people like yourself is really inspiring to me. I was 21 years old when I thought I had missed the boat to tertiary study. I had resigned myself to a life of very hard and fruitless work which could be quite depressing at times.. After meeting a few people who had chosen to follow their passions at a variety of ages, I mustered up my courage and decided to do the same.
It sounds like you've got a clear idea on what fulfilment means to you and I'm glad you're actively pursuing happiness.
Your art is killer by the way :) Is it displayed anywhere in Gisborne? It would be cool to spot some out next time I'm in town for the next bogan heavy metal concert (my cousin-in-law plays in a band that gigs at Smash Palace a lot).
Floyd
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