Jemima Alexis Aitchison

Born 1985, East Melbourne
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Graduation show: 2008, 2009
Graduation ceremony: 2010

Artwork in Space YZ

I Made It, 2009
Wool, nylon, cotton, ink
250 x 180 cm   

I was among the last cohort of students to go through the Fine Arts course at UWS. I participated in two grad shows in third and fourth-year. I finished third-year in time for the final exhibition held in Z block in 2008. It was both exciting and deeply sad to see the long history of visual and electronic arts at UWS being destroyed around us. We were left with only a handful of staff and minimal resources to support us through our final year. Terry Hayes gave a memorable speech condemning the university at the opening of the 2008 show, and it has stayed with me ever since.

I completed my fourth-year in 2009, which was a new course offering that was completely under resourced, as they just wanted us out of the building. Most of the facilities in Z block had been removed so I spent a lot of time in other parts of the university making my work, much to the dismay of the engineering department who couldn’t understand what I needed a sandblaster for.

After many angry emails and meetings with the Dean, and as a consolation to losing our access to Z block, we had our final grad show at Carriageworks. I Made It was part of my work from that show. It was an element of an installation that included video and sculptural elements.

I spent most of my time at UWS exploring the threshold between art and craft. My strongest memory was knitting and sewing being incredibly unpopular, but I continued to find ways to include it in my work. Despite my aversion to electronic arts at the time, I often used video and sound in my work, projecting videos onto objects I created. It was virtually impossible to be in Z block and not make video work!

I had the most amazing time at UWS. Making weird stuff, setting things on fire in the carpark for some important video, loving all the hard critiques from Harry Barnett and sitting through Terry’s excruciating but amazing drawing classes.

Being at UWS at the end of an era taught so much about resilience and creativity. We can make magic even when the world is falling down around us.

I Made It, 2009

Jemima is currently completing postgraduate studies in Ceramics and runs her sustainable clothing brand Accidental Jumper Co, which focuses on custom made slow fashion, utilising reclaimed and deadstock fabrics. Jemima also works with artists living with disability and supports them to develop and show their work.

Visit Jemima’s website or learn more about her work and Accidental Jumper Co on Instagram.