Ilga Leimanis MA

How do you convert ideas into a video, a sketch, an abstract painting or a sculpture? Where do you get ideas? This course gives you practical investigative methods to start this process. Classroom activities each week will rely upon you visiting London institutions between sessions (museums, galleries, archives, collections) as you explore ways of using inspirational sources such as contemporary and ancient sculpture, drawings, written texts and photographic documentation as a basis for generating ideas. Practical exercises will include drawing from sketches, imagination, music, photographs, texts and collections. Complementing the practical side of the course will be an introduction to contemporary theories around the increasingly prevalent role of research in contemporary artistic practice, including an exploration of themes associated with the museum, archive and collection. The beauty of the course is the link it will establish for you between ideas and the practice of making contemporary visual art. This course is open to all; no previous experience necessary.

Ilga Leimanis MA is a London-based artist who exhibits internationally. She has taught workshops on freehand sketching, townscape sketching and life drawing at the Bartlett School of Planning and contemporary architectural and engineering practices, including Adams Kara Taylor, Foster + Partners, Kohn Pedersen Fox and Make. See Ilga's websites www.ilgaleimanis.com and www.orteliusdrew.com