It is said that the victors get to write the history. The restructuring of the MA offer at the University of the Arts (UAL) included the closure of the Book Art course at Camberwell. Does its demise within the restructure mean success? Does that make them the victors and therefore should they as successful instigators of this action write the history of the course?
The true history of the MA is embedded in the experiences of 100s of students who have enrolled on the course and experienced it. Many continue to make, exhibit and sell books, they run private press's, employ people, teach others to make books as technicians, educators and artists in community settings and within educational institutions as teachers, lectures and professors across the world.
Others have taken their experience of the course, recognised the transferable skills we have explored together and used them to build fulfilling creative lives. They continue to build the legacy of the course, I think they are the winners and there is no need to write the history as they are living its future.
On this the last day of the course I think of them all, of the learning we did together and wish them well.
take care - bye for now
