FIRST THOUGHTS
Larry Achiampong: “Success is learning to adapt to your environment”
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London-based artist Larry Achiampong uses film, sculpture and performance to create work that draws on his own Ghanaian heritage, colonial history, and his experience of growing up in Britain. Known for exploring ideas around class, race and cultural identity, previous commissions include the Jerwood Visual Arts 3-Phase programme, PAN AFRICAN FLAG FOR THE RELIC TRAVELLERS’ ALLIANCE at Somerset House, and the Diaspora Pavilion at the 2017 Venice Biennale. He was also nominated for the 2018 Jarman Award for his collaboration with artist David Blandy. Here Achiampong discusses the cultural and class-based issues he experienced in education, the impact of his degree on his current practice, and how his education has also influenced how he approaches teaching. 1
Larry Achiampong, Relic 3, 4k colour video with stereo sound, 2019. Courtesy: the artist and Copperfield London.
Where did you study and how did you find the experience? I did my BA in Mixed Media Fine Art at the University of Westminster between 2002 and 2005, which was followed by a Masters in Sculpture at the Slade School of Fine Art between 2006 and 2008. Looking back, the time I spent on both courses really helped to push but also shape the way that I think as an artist. It was almost an incubation stage, from situations such as having conversations with other peers, through to having the space and time to consider what you want to do – it was a great place to experiment with ideas. There’s also the time you have when you’re not studying, and even that is a new thing in the whole process of development. I still approach things in the same way now. You are always learning – whether that be the way that you make films or are collaborating with other practitioners or partners. Doing that at art school on those courses, there were some things that I learnt that helped to push me further and begin to frame the way that I think about my practice. How well did you engage with the other students on your course? I’ll be totally frank with you. I knew 11