Laleh Ghavemi – "MA Fine Art aligned perfectly with what I was seeking – a journey of exploration."

I still remember the day I decided to apply to the MA Fine Art course at AUB. Having spent years in biophysics and scientific journalism, I was accustomed to structured thinking and methodical approaches. But there was always this creative undercurrent in me, expressed through my private sculpture and jewellery classes. I was technically skilled, but I craved something more profound – a space to explore, to think, to discover new dimensions of art.

A close friend who had studied at AUB would often tell me about the collaborative, engaging community there. Their stories painted a picture of a place where creativity and experimentation thrived, where diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches were not just welcomed but celebrated. As an international student, I hoped for a place where I could not only refine my skills but also redefine my artistic voice.

What drew me to MA Fine Art specifically was how the course leaders described their programme. Reading between the lines of the course description, I sensed a programme that valued the process as much as the outcome – a place where the act of questioning and reflecting was as important as finding answers. It aligned perfectly with what I was seeking – not a rigid curriculum, but a journey of exploration. I knew I wanted to be in an environment that encouraged exploration, challenged my perceptions, and gave me the freedom to shape my own artistic identity.

One of the most transformative aspects of MA Fine Art experience was learning to surrender to the process. As someone with a scientific background, I was habituated to forcing circumstances and making things happen according to plan. The course taught me the opposite – to immerse myself in materials and environments and see what emerged.

This wasn't easy. There were challenging moments when I felt lost without my familiar frameworks. But looking back, surrendering to this new approach was one of the best decisions of my life. It was a complete turning point. Instead of imposing my will on my art, I learned to listen to it, to allow it to speak through me.

The diversity of perspectives at AUB was invaluable. Having access to different tutors expanded my thinking in ways I couldn't have anticipated. The crit sessions, though sometimes intense, were incredibly formative. Hearing how others interpreted my work often revealed layers of meaning I hadn't consciously intended.

We had special workshops with different artists and specialists that opened new possibilities. The regular artist talks, especially during the first unit, were eye-opening. Hearing established artists discuss their journeys and processes gave me permission to embrace uncertainty in my own work. It was reassuring to see that successful artists didn't have everything figured out from the beginning – that art is an ongoing exploration.

As the course progressed, I began to discover a new way of thinking that I believe had always existed within me but never had the chance to emerge. The MA programme didn't just develop my professional practice – it helped me uncover aspects of my artistic identity that had been suppressed for too long.

My final work was an installation that explored boundaries and uncertainty – themes deeply tied to my artistic journey. It reflected the displacement I had felt but also the extraordinary journey that led me to that point. Through various projects – exploring line, imaginary sanctuary, cover-uncover-discovery, 30-Day Breathing Project – I developed a visual language that was authentically mine.

This transformation extended even to my jewellery making, which evolved from technical craft to conceptual practice. My process of working with wax before casting in metal became a perfect metaphor for my artistic journey – capturing fleeting moments in lasting form, balancing presence and absence, just as my installation work explored my boundaries and uncertainty.

What's remarkable is that my journey didn't end with graduation. After completing the MA, one of my biggest concerns was how to maintain this momentum and continue developing as an artist. This question soon found its answer through the SPUD residency –an opportunity that transformed my post-graduation anxieties into exciting new possibilities.

The SPUD residency became a critical bridge between my academic experience and my independent artistic practice. It provided the space, resources, and community support to further explore the themes and techniques I had begun developing at AUB. During this residency, I am able to refine my artistic voice while establishing connections in the broader art world.

An exciting development in my artistic journey has been the collaboration with the Bodyscape 2025 group, where my jewellery became an integral part of their costume design for a groundbreaking performance piece. This unexpected partnership not only expanded my professional network but also allowed me to explore the intersection of visual art and performative expression.

The engaging community at AUB continued to embrace me, offering additional opportunities I couldn't have imagined. Working with TheGallery provided valuable curatorial experience. Being invited to curate the international exhibition of 2025, after participating as an artist the previous year, was an unexpected honour.

My involvement with the Drawing Research Group and my upcoming first solo exhibition in April represent the continuation of this journey. When I look back at my decision to study Fine Art at AUB, I can honestly say I don't regret it for a moment. What began as an educational choice has become a transformative life experience, opening doors to possibilities I never imagined before.

As I move forward as an artist, I carry with me not just new skills and knowledge, but a fundamentally different relationship with creativity – one built on exploration, openness, and the courage to surrender to the unknown.