Hi Jess.
Hiya.
Thanks for hanging out with me today. How
are you doing?
I'm good thank you, how are you?
I'm good, thanks, it's so cool to be able
to ask you 61 Questions in an art gallery.
Can you tell us a bit more about the space?
The collections are owned by the Barber Trust
- originally by Lady Barber - and the space
includes a lecture theatre, seminar rooms,
the Barber Fine Arts Library and obviously
this gallery.
Excellent! So how often do you get to come
along?
It's free and open every day so we can come
whenever we like.
Oh lovely! And do you have a favourite spot
in the gallery?
The Barber Fine Arts Library. It's really
peaceful and there's every art book you can
imagine.
Fabulous. So shall we go and see some art?
Let's go!
So Jess. Can you describe yourself in three
words?
Ambitious. Bubbly. And a little bit clumsy.
What is your current obsession?
Cherry Bakewells and Dolly Parton.
Excellent! And what is one thing you always
have with you?
My reusable water bottle.
It's good to stay hydrated.
So what's something everyone should see.
Anything by Salvador Dali.
Love Dali! So what is the bravest thing you've
ever done?
Coming four hours away from home to uni.
And what is your go-to karaoke song?
Sir Mix-a-Lot - Baby Got Back.
Excellent choice. And which emoji sums you
up?
The unicorn.
And pineapple on pizza. Great or gross?
Gross
Agreed! Do you have a favourite module?
Debates and Methods.
Lovely. And where did you grow up?
In the south coast of England.
And what would you say the best thing about
living away from home is?
I can eat whatever I want whenever I want.
Excellent. And what's the biggest difference
between home and university?
Home is a very small town but university is
the second largest city in the UK.
That is a big difference. Best thing about
living in Birmingham?
There's something to do day or night.
And favourite to cook for yourself?
Chicken nugget wraps.
Interesting! Favourite restaurant in Birmingham?
Mowgli in New Street Station.
Great curry. And what do you wish people knew
about Birmingham?
The peaky blinders were not originally called
the peaky blinders, they were called the Birmingham
boys and they didn't have razors in their
caps.
I didn't know that. Can you give us your best
Birmingham accent?
Alright.
That's really good. So where are you living
at the moment?
Liberty Park - the partnered accommodation
in Selly Oak.
And where are you planning on living next
year?
In Selly Oak again.
And best place to hang out on campus?
Joe's Bar.
And where would you say is the best place
to eat on campus?
Wok Fresh.
Good noodles. Do you like to work at home
or in the library?
A library.
And most interesting experience at university
so far?
The open cinema screening of Toy Story on
the Vale.
That sounds fabulous. Is there anything you
forgot to bring to university during your
first week?
My retainers. My mum had to post them to me.
Oops. And which societies have you joined?
I got bit excited during the societies' fair
and joined 14.
Wow. 14. So, what's the best thing about being
a student?
The freedom to do whatever I want.
And whilst I ask you all about art. Can you
sketch my portrait?
Of course.
Thanks.
So Jess, when did you fall in love with art?
When I went to the Seville Museum of Fine
Arts.
And who's your favourite artist?
Kazimir Malevich.
And do you have a least favourite artist?
I'm not a fan of the dutch landscape painters.
Yeah. Same. Do you have a favourite work of
art in the Barber?
Vesuvius in Eruption. But I can't show you
that today.
It is a fabulous painting though.
What about a favourite work of art of all
time?
That's just too difficult a question.
Yeah, that's true.
If you could commission a portrait of yourself
by any artist living or dead, who would it
be?
Caravaggio.
Good choice. And how long do you think you
could keep still for if someone was to paint
a portrait of you?
About two minutes. I fidget too much.
Yeah. Same. Do you think literally anything
can be described as art?
If you say it is, who am I to say it isn't?
True. And if you could jump into any painting,
which painting would it be?
Renoir's Moulin de la Galette.
That does look like a fun scene to be a part
of. Can you do a bit of performance art for
us now?
That would spoil it.
Ok. Can I see my portrait now?
Excellent, can I keep that to put on my fridge?
Of course!
Thank you very much Jess.
So. What excites you the most about Birmingham's
art scene?
There's something for everyone. There's old
masters at the BMAG and new performance artists
in Digbeth.
Sounds great. So what's the best exhibition
you've been to in Birmingham?
Kate Groobey's Pure Pleasure at the Ikon.
That sounds lovely. And what's the best piece
of architecture in the city?
The hall of memory on Broad Street.
That's gorgeous. And if you could paint anywhere
in Birmingham, where would it be?
The university, our campus is so picturesque,
especially with the addition of the Green
Heart.
I love the Green Heart. Do you volunteer or
work at any art organisations around your
studies?
Not currently, but I plan to second year now
that I've found my feet.
Fab. And do you have a favourite gallery in
the city?
Probably the Ikon gallery.
I love the Ikon. So how do you normally start
your day?
A very sugary tea.
Same.
And what's been your biggest success?
Probably choosing a university and choosing
a course and actually managing to go.
That's a great success. And if you were an
animal, what would you be?
I once read that squirrels unknowingly plant
thousands of trees each year by simply forgetting
where they put their acorns. That sounds like
me.
Great. And what's the best advice you've ever
received?
If you're not having fun, stop playing the
game.
Good tip. And if you could ask anyone in the
world 61 questions, who would you choose?
Charles Bukowski.
Good choice. And what would the title be of
your autobiography?
An exploration through my hair colour.
And do you have a favourite motto?
Dolly Parton once said if you want the rainbow
you have to put up with the rain.
Good quote. And who would you want to play
you in a film version of your life?
Probably Zooey Deschanel.
Good actor. And how has your degree prepared
you for your future?
I would say it's given me analysis skills
and critical thinking that I could use in
any sector of work.
True! And when you leave what will you miss
the most about uni?
Being a maximum of five minutes away from
my friends.
And what do you hope to be doing one year
after graduation?
I hope to be in a graduate job, probably learning
a new language.
Interesting. And what would you say to yourself
ten years from now?
If you haven't gone to all the places you
said you would. Do it.
Good advice. And what's the best advice you'd
give to someone about to study History of
Art at the University of Birmingham?
You don't need to know anything about history
of art just yet, because first year will prepare
you for everything.
Good tip. And finally, question 61, can you
tell us a fact about our clock tower?
It was the inspiration for the eye of Sauron
in the Lord of the Rings books.
Interesting. Well thank you very much for
speaking to us today Jess.
and I'll leave you to explore the rest of
the Barber.
Thank you, bye!
Thanks, bye!
