Elizabeth Hammond: BA(Hons) Textile Design graduate
Elizabeth Hammond
Textile Design graduate Elizabeth Hammond
Elizabeth Hammond
Elizabeth running a drawing class at Freemantle Arts Centre
Elizabeth Hammond
Elizabeth delivering a gallery lecture
Don't ever stop trying to be the best you can be and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.
BA(Hons) Textile Design (Print) 2003 - 2006
Academic lecturer, sessional tutor and artist based in Perth, Australia: www.elizabeth-hammond.com
How did you get to where you are?
Through always saying yes to any opportunity that came my way, also by talking to a lot of people and putting myself forward for opportunities. After graduating I moved over to Australia and in 2008 I completed an MA in Visual Arts at Curtain University for Technology, Perth.
Please describe what you do
I occasionally lecture in Visual Culture at Curtin University of Technology. The lectures are an hour and a half and involve a serious amount of prep! My latest was in Art and Fashion: Paris in the 1920s. I also facilitate a couple of tutorial groups in a unit that makes up part of the BA Fine Art. At the moment I am tutoring in Modernism (3rd years) and Historical Issues in Art and Design (1st years). These involve assessing presentations and essays and facilitating discussion.
I teach drawing, textiles and art history through Open Universities Australia. Tutoring in these units involves facilitating online learning through Blackboard and assessing student work. I also teach art to adults and children at the local arts centre (Fremantle Arts Centre). These classes are drawing, bookbinding and silkscreen printing.
I am a practising artist, exhibiting nationally in group and solo shows around Australia.
What do you do in an average day?
There is no average day, every day is different! With five jobs, I am very good at multi-tasking so there are always emails to check, classes to prepare for, drawings to complete, a website to update, assessments to do etc.
What are the essential qualities needed for what you do?
Good time management, being able to multi-task, good communication skills, enthusiasm, and perseverance.
How creative is your role?
Very! All my roles are focused on the creative, whether as research or the physical act of making.
Who do you work with?
Academics, members of the public and students
What is the most rewarding thing about what you do?
Inspiring people to be creative and seeing my students develop and succeed in their creative endeavours.
And the most challenging?
Finding time for myself!
What did you take from your degree?
A huge amount of knowledge - not only skills such as weaving, embroidery and printmaking, but the beginnings of understanding about developing writing skills. Most important for me was the professional practice element of the course and I encourage all my students in this. I take with me a true appreciation for good design and an understanding of this. Also an appreciation for the fantastic facilities - I didn't realise how good they were until I left. I wish I could do my Textiles BA(Hons) again, I'd do it so differently!
Whilst at Falmouth, I was a student ambassador and student rep, and both roles helped develop my confidence and communication skills.
Did you do a placement?
When I came to Australia I did a work placement with a textile design company, Little Design Horse, for 2 weeks. It was brilliant. I would thoroughly recommend anyone to do a placement, you learn so much in such a short space of time.
What's the best piece of advice you've been given?
If at first you don't succeed try, try again.
What advice would you give to current students?
Don't ever stop trying to be the best you can be and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.
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