Third year has appeared as one of the most intense and formative chapters of my academic journey so far. The shift in expectations is palpable: the dissertation demands sustained critical engagement, rigorous research, and conceptual clarity, while studio practice requires equal commitment to experimentation, refinement, and articulation of ideas. Navigating both simultaneously has meant learning to manage time with precision and to think more deeply about the intellectual and material foundations of my work. The process is challenging, but it feels purposeful – as though each long day is contributing to a more defined sense of direction.
Alongside these core academic responsibilities, I have continued to involve myself in co-curricular activities, striving to support an active and visible presence within the wider university environment. Engaging beyond the studio has allowed me to develop leadership, communication, and organisational skills that are just as crucial as technical or conceptual ability. Balancing these commitments has needed resilience, but it has also strengthened my confidence in operating within professional and collaborative settings.
In addition, I am currently interning at Vane Art Gallery as a Gallery Assistant Intern. This experience has been invaluable in bridging theory and practice. Working within a functioning contemporary gallery has provided insight into exhibition planning, installation processes, audience engagement, and the subtle dynamics between artists, curators, and institutions. Being immersed in this environment has affirmed my desire to position my practice within broader cultural conversations. Looking ahead, I am particularly energised by being selected as a Fellow for the 2026 Venice Biennale. The opportunity to contribute to such a prestigious international platform is both an honour and a responsibility. Preparing for this role, alongside my academic commitments, has intensified my schedule – yet it also reinforces the sense that this demanding period is shaping me into a more focused, ambitious, and self-assured practitioner.
Vinita Gurjar, 3rd year Fine Art student
Friends of the Hatton 