#OutboundtoBrighton
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Ifeatuanya Chiejina Day 30
Feeling quite relaxed and relieved to have folded my clean clothes and packed all my things for returning home today. My biggest concern was making sure I had all my things, and being on time for the bus going to the Heathrow airport. I made sure to pray a few times to ease my nerves throughout the travel back to NYC. I certainly feel calmer being on the plane when I'm returning home. Trying to fall asleep on the plane going to London was unsuccessful, even though I was super tired, so I decided to watch as many movies back to back as possible. I saw a total of three movies, which was awesome. It was wonderful to be met by my family when I got home. I shared with them the chocolate I had gotten for them from "Hotel Chocolat".
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Ifeatuanya Chiejina Day 29
My intentions were set on visiting Afrori Books, a bookstore that offers the largest selection of books by black authors in the UK. I first saw the store during my walk yesterday afternoon. It's closed on Mondays so I had to come back today to make my visit, and it was so worth it. It was rewarding to be in conversation with the owner and her daughter. I have done commissions for poets, film distributors and filmmakers. I always find it memorizing to view book covers and illustrations by other visual artists. It's generally the thing that draws me to read a book. After having my meeting with Anna Moulson yesterday, I considered traveling to the Towner Eastbourne art gallery today for my rest day. However, I really wanted to see Ricardo again, so we did met each other for coffee and hot chocolate. I do see myself visiting Brighton again to maintain my relationships and frequent more arts based activities.
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Ifeatuanya Chiejina Day 28
Having therapy sessions was helpful. I reflected a lot on my profession as a practicing artist, and how much I desired to have a better work life balance. Throughout a few moments in my artist fellowship, I experienced some feelings of awkwardness around being the only black person in a room. I've definitely felt similar feelings back in the States. When I am the only black person, I don't always know how vulnerable I can be because sometimes my presence and or perspectives are wanted and other times it's not. I was unsure of how to be when I walked into the Manor Gym for the Unarmed Class at the Sussex Sword Academy. Thankfully I was meet with so much kindness from the instructors and participants. I felt very included, which meant a lot to me. Last night, I had attended the tour called, "Brighton's Bloody Beaches and Haunted Hotels", which left me feeling a little uneasy about traveling home to the flat. My nerves would have been quieted if I had had the Unarmed Class first. I felt better equipped to protect myself from danger after the Class.
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Ifeatuanya Chiejina Day 27
Waking up today was difficult for two reasons. My body was completely exhausted from last night, and today was Mother's Day. I tried to not think about my mom throughout the day, but that wasn't easy. For the most part, my feelings left me content and purposeful. Playing the game, "Red Plenty", at the Friends Meeting Place with the participants was interesting. I do often times wonder how non-artists view the role of artists, and generally the arts as a profession. Something about the game made me to really consider how often creative professions are overlooked and not seen as a vital part in the maintenance of a society, until real-life catastrophe happens and the public significantly craves creative expressions, and wants artists to influence change and become activists of some kind. As much as I enjoyed playing, "Red Plenty", I did leave questioning my value. It is tough to work with this feeling in mind, but I think that it's important for me to still remain active in my practice as an artist. Today I managed to walk as close to the water, without feeling so nervous.
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Ifeatuanya Chiejina Day 26
Volunteering with the Brighton Fringe for their kickoff of events was really special. During my shift, I helped with organizing and making their spaces feel celebratory. Since I was working I didn't get to see all of the Children's Parade, but it was great to catch the end. It quite amazes me that it hasn't rained much in Brighton. I completely expected it to. The day today was beautiful. I was filled with so much excitement for the event for the evening. Anne and myself meet at the Brighton Spiegeltent to watch the Neon Moon Cabaret. I have not went to see a Cabaret before so I was thrilled to make up the audience. While waiting to enter my Airbnb host spotted me and we were in conversation for a bit, which was nice. Cabaret was so spectacular. I'm not much of a person that goes clubbing, but I love going to a good party. Going to the Cabaret provided me with the chance to let loose and sing along to the music, while watching various aerial and dance performances. A few of the performers outfits really caught my eye. Saying goodbye to Anne at the end was so difficult. I want to maintain a friendship with her when I return to NYC.
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Ifeatuanya Chiejina Day 25
I went to a store called Papersmiths after visiting the Brighton Toy and Model Museum, which held a nice display of vintage model toy cars, figurines trains, dollhouses and more. At the Papersmiths store I purchased a book called, "Take Your Selfie Seriously", by Sorelle Amore. Considering that I've been taking selfies throughout the duration of my artist fellowship, it felt most fitting to obtain a copy and learn more. The idea of being more conscious of how I can use my body to pose does interest me. In the evening, I went to the St. Augustine's Arts & Events Center to attend an experimental performance. I pleasantly enjoyed the show. Only myself and another person made up the audience, but regardless of that I openly vibed with the sounds and appreciated the visuals that paired with the songs.
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Ifeatuanya Chiejina Day 24
The emotions that I'm feeling right now can make me cry because I am continuing to live out my dreams. It feels great to know that I can nagivate the trains here and know that I can ask for help when there are service changes. I consider this moment of returning back to Brighton from Bournemouth the most rewarding ordeal. Commuting in general can sometimes make me feel overwhelmed, which can increase my anxiety. I definitely was experiencing a lot of physical and mental fatigue, but I'm still happy and tremendously relieved.
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Ifeatuanya Chiejina Day 23
Pilates took me back to when I did aerobics and worked out as a child. I'm so glad that exercise has been integrated into my artist fellowship. It can feel quite isolating being the only black woman in a space full of white men. I don't always know how comfortable I can be. A few of the men waiting for the game to start at the pub seemed friendly, but I'm still an outsider in their space. There is a spray painted image of Will Smith as the Fresh Prince on one of the walls, which I'm looking at while I'm writing. I recognize some of the music being played. The experience might be a good one. In most of my activities, I'm usually introduced and or welcomed by someone that knows I will be participating. This helps me to feel less shy about being the new person that won't come back.
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Ifeatuanya Chiejina Day 22
Reaching Bournemouth required a lot of physical and mental energy. Their National Science Society was pretty cool. One of the men specializing in bugs was very interesting. My jaw dropped when he held a big hairy spider. Sometimes I wish that I had enough nerve and ability to have a bug crawl on me without having the immediate urge to flick it away or worse kill it. There was a spider's leg (from a dead one) that the entomologist touched everyone's finger so that we could get a sense of the feel. Before leaving, I went to another room dedicated to rocks and fossils. The geologist there was also very nice. I took some photos as she spoke to me about the different formations of rocks. She then showed me a book with illustrations of dinosaurs. The idea of drawing dinosaurs from observing their footprints and fossils seems so much like an unbelievable task and undertaking. Meeting with Phati later in the afternoon to go to the beach was also really wonderful.
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Ifeatuanya Chiejina Day 21
Observing the fossils of creatures and mammals at the Booth Museum of Natural History had me considering some questions about myself. What is at my core and allows me to stand up right? Is there flexibility in the essential supporting structure of my physical, emotional, and mental being? When I checked out the Tatty Devine exhibition at the Hove Museum on Saturday, there were a few configured birds and dinosaur necklaces. Seeing the skeletons at the Booth Museum today made me feel as though I was meant to go to both museums and notice the similarities in the works shown. The therapy session I had first thing in the morning was good. I talked about what I hope to expect from implementing form and arranging different activities (art and non-art) for my day to day schedule when I return home. Concluding the day with the online budgeting course was super helpful. I wish to have a lifestyle that makes me sincerely happy. When I do achieve it, I want to be able to maintain it.
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Ifeatuanya Chiejina Day 20
I slept well. I decided to not have many things planned for the day. Laundry needed to get done, and I had to figure out what outfits I wanted to take with me for my trip to Bournemouth on Tuesday. I'm feeling excitement and a little anxiety for the excursion.
I've been keeping up with the habit of taking photos of myself daily. Myspace came into my thoughts, as well as the late 90s editing aesthetic. Thinking of those things certainly guided the way I polished the pictures I took. While taking the photos, I considered my hair and the style it was still in. It has gotten frizzier.
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Ifeatuanya Chiejina Day 19
During the walking tour of Hove's Old Cemetery this morning, I found so much inspiration. The sound my feet made while walking in the grass was one that I took note of. I don't really incorporate much text in my artwork, but after seeing and reading the tombstones I considered the type of affects text can play in my work. It really takes me by surprise how I've been thinking about planning for my upcoming projects without doing anything related to my art practice. I remember how stressed out I would be trying to come up with a way to complete a certain amount of artworks within a short period of time. Even though I've been active and present since the start of my fellowship, I feel way more relaxed when I think about art and producing. I really enjoyed my time at the Hove Museum and being introduced to the exhibition for Tatty Devine. The jewelry was so unique and spectacular, I ended up purchasing a pair of Tatty Devine cloud and lightning earrings. Some sketchbooks were shown in the exhibition, and I of course loved seeing them.
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Ifeatuanya Chiejina Day 18
Seeing a Faith Ringgold puzzle set inside a store on my way to the 25 bus to The Keep made me smile. Today is Friday and for the second week in a row, an activity has me thinking about my art project back home. Looking at newspaper clippings made me think about the different possiblities I can embark on in using text for my next series. Going to the Sea Life Aquarium was a vibe. I definitely enjoyed my time there. Everything was so colorful inside, I felt like a young student. On Sunday, my next rest day, I hope to spend some time in my flat getting down the footwork for Highland Scottish Dancing. Learning the dance was difficult because I'm not used to positioning my feet in the way the steps are done.
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Ifeatuanya Chiejina Day 17
Uprooting burdock this morning and afternoon was really fun. I had some built up frustration that helped me to tackle the task. Getting confused with directions is not something I like. When the coordinator for the Brighton Permaculture Trust found me about 7 minutes from where I was supposed to meet her, she did mention that locating the area was difficult because the signs were quite small and or hidden. Learning this allowed me to give myself some grace for not being early. This was my second volunteer work gardening, and I'd have to say that I don't care for or enjoy planting and watering. I love to dig and eradicate weeds. The stinging nettle got me today, and that feeling was indescribable. Thankfully another volunteer located some dock leaves for me to use as medicine, which did help a lot.
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Ifeatuanya Chiejina Day 16
Counting coins and learning how to add up money here has me feeling as though I'm back in elementary school. I've been getting into the habit of giving paper and pound coins, but with that I've accumulated many pence coins. After not being able to do kickboxing yesterday night, I was looking forward to doing Tai Chi this evening, However, I learned that since the pandemic there hasn't been any more of that class at the Edge Community Centre. My body is still sore and recovering from rock climbing on Monday and I would have liked to recorded how doing Tai Chi would have set my body in motion. Even though not doing that exercise was a bit of a bummer, I'm still getting acquainted with the buses so traveling there was very helpful. I hadn't known that there were buses that stopped near my flat. While going and coming back from the Edge Community Centre, I learned that I've walked along some of the route. I couldn't help but to remember the night I left the Theatre Royal to see the play, "Sheila's Island". I had waited quite a while for the taxi. I could have taken the bus home, but at least now I know.
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Ifeatuanya Chiejina Day 15
While arriving to the Hove Town Hall this morning, I was bracing myself for attending the council meeting. It's not something that's available for the public to participate in. I was told very nicely that if I'm not staff then I can't enter the space to sit it and listen. Rather then return to my flat, I walked to a neighboring restaurant for some breakfast. I got myself toast, scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and a smoothie. Afterwards, I walked to the Hove beach to take photos, write for a bit, and see the huts.Learning about the Green Centre at Planet Brighton was a pleasant experience. Sometimes as an artist I feel like the skills that I have acquired can only suffice in art spaces. I was able to give a good suggestion for a creative project involving stamps, which made me feel really useful and smart. In addition to being a practicing artist, I'm also a teaching artist. Lately, I have been figuring out other fields to enter into while leaving some time to my art practice.
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