Putting The Hours In

Peter Norman
Hometown: Brighton
Education:
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
Graduated BA Photography
Nottingham Trent University

What’s your background?

I did Photography at A-level and went on to specialise in the subject for Foundation and in my degree.

What work experience have you had?

We were told to sort out placements ourselves and I did an internship at Magnum Photographic for two months, assisting with the archive departments and production departments. I also did work experience at Uncut magazine, working in the photography archives of NME.

What did you do when you finished your degree?

I thought… what’s going to happen now? Do I sell this work? I found that collaboration was rewarding and started working with people. On photography courses you’re taught to work on your own which is not the best thing because when you leave you’ll be working with people.

I volunteered at a volunteer-led gallery called Surface Gallery for 14 months. There I worked as an Exhibition Officer, which gave me the chance to liaise with artists and play a part on the gallery committee.

Did you feel prepared for the real world?

I wish there was more advice for young people leaving University. After I left I did a Post Graduate Certificate in Arts Practice at the Usher Gallery on how to survive in the arts world. One of the projects was to consider your work in a different scenario and I ended up with my work on a billboard!

What are you doing now?

I’m working as an art handler for the Towner Gallery, helping with the relocation of their major art collection. The conservation of the works involves photography which is good.

What advice would you give to young people?

The best photographers are the ones that share. If you’re a Fine Artist then stick with a studio group, this way more people know who you are and it’s easier to make inroads. It’s really hard work but so much fun when it goes right.