On 27th March 2024, ASP 9 had a visit to the studio from Lindsey Mendick. Only half of the group were able to make it, but this made for an intimate and free flowing conversation. Mendick’s raw honesty and willingness to confront social taboos within her own practice meant that no subject was off limits. We discussed the difficult and personal concepts present in our works and Mendick offered genuine advice and support for what we were each trying to achieve.
Emma Ogawa Todd presented an exhibition proposal for which Mendick enthusiastically offered valuable advice on how to approach meetings with curators. Christie Lau talked us through her video and painting works and a conversation was sparked around how didactic art about a specific context needs to be. Jennifer Jones’ presentation of her practice lead to a discussion surrounding the difficulties of making work with uncomfortable narratives which Mendick had lots of insightful feedback to give from personal experience.
Mendick’s bubbly and approachable personality made the visit feel like a catch up with an old friend. There was no question we felt we couldn’t ask, and every response felt genuine and heart-felt. From managing the balance between making commercial sales whilst remaining authentic and conceptual, to dealing with critics and rejection- by the end of her visit, I felt I had a better understanding of how it can be possible to sustain an art career in an elitist and unfair world. Jen Jones
