During the course of my studies I have always reflected on the feedback’s in conjunction with their relevant points i.e. in bold italics after each applicable paragraph.  However, this feedback is different – it is the most valuable feedback in terms of Context, Reflection, sampling quantity, Refinement of Outcome I have had.  The explanations for each section are clear and concise and make sense to my Asperger’s mind – these are what  I have needed for a long, long period of time.

Sometimes with Asperger’s a ‘one size fits all’ set of notes does not work – the equivalent is a mathematics teacher explaining geometry to a class with one person not understanding, but when they ask for further clarification the teacher merely repeats the same words they have not understood time and time again.   The pupil only understands when a different teacher or even fellow pupil takes a different approach and explains, not necessarily in simpler terms, but differently – it can literally take a change of word or format for the penny to drop and this is what has happened here.

This feedback consolidates all my tutor had written in previous feedbacks but into a document that makes sense in a wider picture that encompasses all assignments and which consequentially can be applied accordingly but in particular to correct and rework Assignment 5.

My only issues come with quantity of sampling and also presentation as since I have finished this course Covid-19 has caused world-wide disruption and lockdown – I confess to writing this blog horrendously late and also after reworking of the assignments as per this very feedback (and obviously earlier feedbacks too).  I am having to re-consider the quantity of sampling and how this can be done effectively without compromising on quality of outcome and this may mean recycling or using materials that perhaps are not my ideal ones but may yet create exciting possibilities.  I am also having to consider how to photograph the samples – as I am working with masks primarily the suggestion was to photograph on a gallery wall, which during this period of lockdown, is no longer possible so the magic of Photoshop will have to suffice in order for them to be seen as a series.

One further small issue is regards to the adverts on this blog – these are not able to be removed due to the fact that this is a free WordPress blog.  However, I need to consider whether I can export this blog into the new OCA Spaces or whether as I will be picking and choosing specific blogs to submit for assessment whether this is now even an issue … if it is I may have to put an explanatory disclaimer.

At the point of writing this feedback OCA has also moved into the realms of digital assessment due to the above mentioned lockdown and this has changed methods and styles of presenting and organising for assessment which my reworked blogs will reflect accordingly.

As said this feedback is without doubt the most valuable so far in my studies and will be duly saved and referred to as I move into level 3 – it just makes sense.

Feedback on assignment
You’ve developed a lively body of sampling, though it stops quite abruptly. The development is quite narrow and
less exploratory than it could have been, but there is a lot of potential evident in the series of samples developed
in project 4.

There are four areas that I’d like you to address:

1. Context:
You’ve thoughtfully discussed contextual research from different disciplines (e.g. fashion, glass) and contexts (art,
design) all relevant to your project.
The ‘Context’ assessment criterium also encompasses reflection and critical thinking. As I said in assignment 2,
more analysis of the context of the artists’ work is needed. Analysing whether the work is seen in an international
art gallery, craft gallery or design shop, and whether the intended audience is gallery visitors, collectors,
consumers or commissioning clients helps develop your understanding of contemporary practice and most
importantly, helps you identify where your own work sits within this context. As I discuss below in point 3, the
context of your work is unclear.

2. Reflection:
You reflect thoughtfully, primarily focusing on the effectiveness of materials and techniques. Prior to developing
new work or re-working assignments, improve your reflections:
a. Answer ‘why? I regularly wanted more information about why you had selected a particular material or
technique. Firstly, why did you choose it; secondly, was it successful?
b. If you identify a weakness or problem in your approach, write a brief action plan for how you are
going to improve in future. This means that reflection is developmental and valuable. Whilst you might
not have the answer immediately, you can propose initial solutions.
c. Evaluate the work in relation to the task set. For example, on page 110, there are guidelines including:
“Ensure you include drawing and exploring colour. Work in a range of scales.” Do you feel you addressed
all aspects? If so, in what ways was the work successful? If not, how could you improve it with these
prompts in mind? This list could have been used whilst sampling to ensure you test widely.
Reflection sits in the “Context” criterium but the quality of reflection and evaluation directly impact on your ability
to be inventive and playful (“Demonstration of creativity”), and on the overall quality (“Quality of outcome”).

3. Quantity of sampling:
• You’ve created some interesting samples but the breadth of exploration and the quantity of work is lower
than expected. (This echoes feedback on assignments 1, 2 and 4).
• However, you allowed my feedback for Part 4 to prompt new sampling, and as a result, the three groups of
samples at the end of project 3 are varied in aesthetic and form.
This issue primarily impacts on the “Demonstration of creativity” criterium, as a reduced phase of development
means reduced experimentation.

4. Refinement of outcome:
You’ve highlighted that project 4 is unfinished and you’d like input prior to continuing.
The mask form is an effective vehicle for your narrative., enabling you to contextualise your sampling on the
body and communicate the context of disease and treatment.

The samples are interesting compositionally, with the distressed fabrics contrasting with the geometric forms.
Your use of red thread is evocative of veins and blood,  conveying a sense that these are inspired by the body.

Reworking / Continuing Part 5
Issues to resolve before developing more samples:
• Context: What is the context of your work? Would I see the masks in an art gallery, presented in groups on
a white wall? Are they saleable objects for a craft gallery? Are they performative pieces? Do you need to
photograph or video them being worn? Answer the same questions if they become dysfunctional
garments or a series of wall pieces for a gallery.
• Sustainability: You have reused materials but done minimal analysis of whether this was successful in
hindsight. You commented that you “could have used a far wider range of recycled fabrics” but you don’t
evaluate what your chosen materials bring to the project. Write an in-depth evaluation before continuing.
You talk about sustainability in your end of part review but the only aspect really relevant to your work is
how much Tyvek you’ve bought. You’ve chosen to reuse and recycle specific materials so it’s vital you
discuss the role they play in your work and whether this was a successful approach. This demonstrates
both critical thinking and reflective practice.
• Evaluate your work so far to decide which samples:

• most successfully communicate your personal concept.
• make best use of your sustainable materials (as this is the overarching project aim).
• are most likely to work in relation to your decision on art textile context (where the work would be
  seen).

Based on this evaluation, I recommend writing a brief project plan stating the refined context, what form you want
the samples to take (whether masks of body-pieces) and what you want to communicate through the work. I’d
also like you to discuss which materials you want to use and why they’re appropriate. Develop a series of refined
samples (10) that achieve these goals.

NB: As you intend to do more sampling for earlier projects, these could be successful enough to extend into
projects 3 and 4. Work chronologically so the new work has the chance to be genuinely developmental.

Presentation: Keep these refined samples out of the sketchbook. Submit them in a box file, or perhaps pin / tape
the best work to A4/A3 card or similar, so they’re simply presented as the refined outcomes.
Take good photos of all refined samples. If they’re for a gallery space, photograph them in series on a gallery wall.
If they need to be seen in the context of the body, photograph them as such. Contemporary Context was all about
exploring and communicating contexts, so we expect students to demonstrate a stronger understanding of
context in this course. Present the best photos on A4 cartridge paper (and document the others in the sketchbook
and learning log).

I expect you’ll have seen these blog posts before but the information is invaluable. Re-read them before
presenting your work.

Textiles: organising your work for assessment
https://weareoca.com/subject/textiles/textiles-organising-work-assessment/
Textiles: Presentation for assessment
https://weareoca.com/student-work/textiles-presentation-assessment/
Textiles:  presenting work at assessment
https://weareoca.com/education/textiles-presenting-work-assessment/
Presenting student work: Ruth Venables yarn collection for A Textiles Vocabulary
https://weareoca.com/student-work/presenting-student-work-ruth-venables-yarn-collection-fora-textiles-vocabulary/

General reworking Prior to Assessment
• As always, reflect on this feedback in your learning log.
• Re-read my earlier feedback to ensure you have acted on the development points. You have had far
less time to do this in each assignment as you submitted so quickly, but you can do it prior to assessment.
• Sketchbooks: You’ve agreed with Rebecca Fairley to re-work all your sketchbooks prior to assessment.
Ensure you re-read my earlier feedback before doing so- especially assignment 1. This is an opportunity for
you to visually explore a broader range of ideas and to present more refined samples outside of the
sketchbooks.
• Ensure all new work and changes are evaluated in the learning log. (Make it clear you did these
samples after feedback.) Use my feedback to evaluate your progress; e.g. “Cari commented that I needed
to consider why I was using certain methods to communicate my concept, so in my new samples I
considered this more carefully. I used XX method to exaggerate a sense of XX. It was more successful as it
XXX”
• Learning Log: Before assessment, remove the adverts from your learning log as they frequently interrupt
the posts. This is visually intrusive and doesn’t look appropriately professional.
• Use the re-working phase to demonstrate that you have applied my feedback from assignments 1-5.