After a degree in another subject, I followed my desire to study art. Half way through my contemporary fine art degree, I decided to take a gap year out. Now I struggle to go back to the course. In a way, it would probably be a good thing and “open-up” doors in the contemporary art scene. Finishing my course involves for me to move back to the country where I was studying, which is a lot of effort for me at the moment. I’ve always seen myself doing art with a “professional” level of commitment + involvement, along a part-time job in a cultural center.

What do you think? Especially if you are a “professional” artist, what advice could you give me?

I know you can do art anywhere and anyway, and that it’s getting work out there that “makes you an artist”, but I’m afraid of being looked at as a “second class” artist if I don’t come out of an institution…

Thanks for your help