Alumni Spotlight: An Exclusive Interview with Kuljit Bhogal from OCA's Creative Arts Department
Artist Trine Wade Sustains Creative Practice Through Interdisciplinary Learning
Trine Wade, a budding artist, has demonstrated the power of interdisciplinary learning in sustaining artistic practice. In 2024, Wade graduated from the Open College of the Arts (OCA) with a BA in Creative Arts, and is currently pursuing a MSc in Creative Technologies at Winchester School of Arts.
Interdisciplinary learning, as Wade's experience shows, offers multiple benefits. It enhances creativity, fostering innovation and the ability to generate diverse ideas, crucial for artistic evolution. The approach also develops critical thinking skills, improving learners' problem-solving abilities and capacity to push artistic boundaries.
Moreover, interdisciplinary learning encourages a lifelong learning mindset, nurturing curiosity and continuous education. This supports artists in adapting and sustaining their practice over time. Lastly, it provides real-world applicability, simplifying complex concepts and preparing learners to address practical challenges, linking art with broader social and cultural contexts.
Wade's journey with the OCA exemplifies how such a flexible, interdisciplinary approach fosters ongoing artistic development. The online structure of the OCA's degree program offered a platform to integrate varied knowledge streams, providing a continuous learning experience, mentorship, and reflective engagement within and beyond traditional art boundaries.
During the OCA's programme, Wade delved into AI, robotics, and critical theories about technology. Monthly sharing sessions during Stage 3 at the OCA created a supportive community, while the flexible part-time schedule suited Wade's lifestyle. Wade's experience with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript from a previous project during their Creative Arts BA has been instrumental in their current studies.
Wade's MSc in Creative Technologies course has provided an opportunity to develop both coding and creativity. As part of the MSc, Wade has created a micro game about masculinity, trains, and desire. However, after completing the MSc in September, Wade has no concrete plans for life after graduation.
The independence and self-motivation developed during distance learning have helped Wade sustain their practice. There are similarities between university study online and in person, although specific details were not provided in the text. Regardless, Wade's journey demonstrates the transformative power of interdisciplinary learning in sustaining artistic practice.
References:
[1] Interdisciplinary Learning: Benefits, Challenges, and Strategies for Success. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/academe/interdisciplinary-learning-benefits-challenges-and-strategies-success
[2] Interdisciplinary Pedagogy: Resisting Compartmentalized Eurocentric Academic Models. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.northeastern.edu/student-affairs/multicultural-affairs/interdisciplinary-pedagogy-resisting-compartmentalized-eurocentric-academic-models/
