Conversation with Karen Davies
Head of Artist Development at SPACE Studios
-
In my own practice I am inspired by our interest in making objects and making images when we've got so many in the world. The fact that we have this innate ability in us and this need for drawing and making. In terms of my my role at SPACE, I'm inspired by problem solving with artists, helping them find a solution to support their practice. They usually work with me when they are at a particular point in their practice where there's something changing in their artwork. And that's a really exciting place to be.
-
Longevity. I think that you just have to keep plugging away at it. And whether that's making or creating, facilitating for others. I think that the longer that you're involved with something, the more exciting and interesting it'll become, certainly in terms of my career.
-
My personal highlight has been problem solving around the pandemic. In a time when the precarity of the art sector has really been highlighted, to be able to figure out how to divert funding, and how to try and make a difference and make sure that the sector is still thriving has been something that's really important to me.
-
I think that we need to value the artists that we work with on whatever level we're working with them. They need to be paid, and they need to be paid well, and they need to be paid on time. And that shouldn't be unusual. And I think that how we work with artists is imperative to how we all thrive as a sector.
-
I would have a glass of wine with Louise Bourgeois. And I would invite her because she is a woman who took her own experiences and very personal challenges in her life and made artworks that I've spoken to women across the world and for decades
SPACE is London's largest studios provider, supporting artists and building creative communities since 1968. Karen led the flagship artist development programme, London Creative Network (LCN) at SPACE Studios from 2016 - 2023. Key findings the impact of LCN can be found here.
