Joining an established group

Jenny is one of three new members who joined the group in Autumn 2024. Here she talks about the experience.

Joining an already existing skilled group of artists can be both exhilarating and challenging and I was aware that I was replacing a valued member who was no longer part of the group. The interview process required me to demonstrate my work, sharing my processes and vision. Much of my work at that time focussed around expressing a grieving process. Not knowing many of the artists personally made it difficult to articulate fully and with vulnerability why my pieces were so important and what had led to their creation. So I don’t feel I did myself justice or showed enough of myself as an artist, but nevertheless I was accepted along with two other new members, who went through the same recruitment process.

The Challenges and Advantages

Support and Motivation:

A group of skilled artists can provide a strong support system. They understand the challenges and triumphs of the creative process and can offer encouragement and advice. I believe that advice should be sought, before it is given, and that as a creator I need to be as specific as possible about what advice I need, otherwise I can feel demoralised.

Adapting to Group Dynamics:

Every group has its own dynamics and culture. Fitting into that and making your mark on an already long-established group may be difficult for a newcomer as well as for others in the group. Out of The Fold members were encouraging and friendly and willing for new possibilities, and they made what could have been a difficult process, easy.

Jenny in her studio creating a large 3D structure.

Maintaining my own sense of identity

This can become a challenge in a new group. The skills and methods that other group members use can make you question your own style, particularly when preparing for exhibitions with an agreed theme and set parameters for the exhibition pieces. It has taken me many months of trial and error to understand what is my own “artistic voice” and how can I adapt that to the exhibition framework. At times in this experimental phase I forgot to stay true to my vision, or embrace my unique style, and at times I lost inspiration and motivation.

Coming through that crippling time, as with any other creative blocks was eventually immensely enriching and has allowed me to fully embrace the way I like to work, the methods and techniques that get me where I want to be, and to have confidence in my own instincts and ability. When I have dared to let a couple of people into that indecisive mess I have been helped with encouragement, discernment, tissues, coffee and cheese scones!

Jenny Lam