Pavel Pyś

Why did you choose this programme?

I chose the program having admired the variety of work undertaken by recent graduates in the field, the culture at Goldsmiths College that encourages interdisciplinary thinking, as well as the profiles of the course tutors.

What was your overall experience of the course?

Positive: I especially enjoyed the multi-perspectival, adventurous and interdisciplinary nature of the course, which encouraged drawing upon sources in all types of fields to think through questions of curating. I met incredible friends and future colleagues from around the world.

What have you done since graduating?

Immediately after graduating, I was lucky to have been awarded two opportunities: the Young Curator’s Residency at the Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo in Turin and the inaugural Zabludowicz Collection Curatorial Open. Between 2011 and 2015, I was the Exhibitions & Displays Curator at the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds. Since 2016, I have worked as a Curator in the Visual Arts Department at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, where I have had the opportunity to curate interdisciplinary projects across the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, the Walker’s galleries and theater, as well as contribute to building the permanent collection.

In what ways do you think the course has influenced or fed into your practice?

The course dovetailed the practical issues of exhibition-making with the larger theoretical/critical approaches and concerns. I think my work has been influenced by the way in which the course approaches art and visual culture – with curiosity and adventurousness, and an embrace of all kinds of references and sources.

What advice would you offer current Goldsmiths MFA Curating students?

Make the most of what the course and your colleagues offer, meet as many artists and see as much art as possible in London, travel frequently if you can. Apply for opportunities as well as make your own!