Arts Thread

Made during a period of self-discovery, the ‘Backwards in Coming Forwards’ collection incorporates repetitive techniques within a minimalist aesthetic. Often self-accused of working within one’s comfort zone too much, Nia felt like they needed to add a new dimension to the reoccurring units they often gravitate towards. Attempting to distance themself from what they saw as creative stagnation, the artist started to incorporate new concepts into the existing body of work, specifically ‘contemporary nostalgia'. An idea, driven by the mass-produced toys they grew up with around the beginning of the third millennium. This idea still plays a large role in the final pieces to be showcased in the 2022 CASC final degree show and catalogue. Towards the culmination of the academic year, Nia began viewing their artistic comfort zone more favourably. Repetitive art-making has long since been a meditative process in their personal and professional life. Throughout the course of their final year at the University of Chester, Nia began to normalise their relationship with therapy through embracing their favoured sculptural approach and has since become a firm believer that there can be creative expansion and personal growth by being Backwards in Coming Forwards.