Friday, June 10, 2005

I haven't posted for some time because I really haven't had much to show...

My life has gotten in the way lately, but that is changing (fingers crossed). My 6 day week should soon settle down into a 10 day fortnight, giving me time to do the textiley things that I love.

I've been flying under the radar a little lately. I still drop in every couple of days to my favourite blogs to keep up and see the wonderful work that everyone is doing, but it's usually just a sneak peak whilst I'm at work and so I usually can't comment.

OK - that's enough with the excuses... I attended my graduation last night. Finally receiving my diploma that consumed all of my spare time (and even some that wasn't spare) over the past 3 years. To me it was bit of a let down (as were the previous graduations that I'd been to). After spending 3 years working towards an end, it seems that the act of walking briskly across a stage, collecting a piece of paper from a stranger who has had absolutely no involvement in my studies whatsoever, is way too overrated and perhaps even a bit lame (not in the brightest of moods today I'm sorry). For me the exhibition that we held at the end of the year was more of a graduation. The exhibition was the culmination of 3 years work, and showed peices of us (our works) off to the ones we loved. The graduation ceremony on the other hand showed nothing of us or of what we've learnt. I really felt the same about my university graduation and also of my highschool graduation. So much time and effort is directed towards "graduating" and making it to the "end", but the event doesn't seem to justify any of it.

Don't get me wrong, I am proud that I've graduated. But i am prouder of the distance that I've come and of what I have learnt. I am proud that I have participated in an exhibition. I'm proud that I now have a piece of work hangning in a gallery. And I'm proud that I've succeeded. The diploma was never important to me - but the learning was, and still is.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Welcome back, Sophie, we've missed you.

Anonymous said...

ooops! And Congratulations!

arlee said...

Well put and i agree wholeheartedly after feeling the same after my own grad from a 2 year textile program 10 years ago.

Welcome back!!

Nicky said...

I agree completely with your feelings about graduating. Its the learning that is most important. You will carry that with you always. I never bothered to attend my graduation - it seemed like an utter waste of time. But I still remember my tutors and what they taught me. Just enjoy the feeling of being proud that you did something you loved and now you will reap the benefits of it. Well done Soph!! Looking forward to seeing more of your work.