Not only did the Robson Visual Arts Masters Award throw a financial lifeline to Richie Oliver, supporting his living and travel costs, but provided him with the opportunity to complete his MA in Glass and Ceramics and develop his craft and confidence as an emerging artist.
They maybe only small things, but simply buying a bed and new bike to travel between lectures, as well as financing accommodation costs, took domestic pressures away from Richie, a former ventilation engineer, and enabled him to create exciting work with freedom and expression. His output even led to him being selected during his degree, to work alongside renowned British Sculptor Antony Gormley on his Field exhibition, a celebrated installation of thousands of individual terracotta figures.
“The whole experience of studying my MA was to find out who I was as an artist and thanks to the Robson Award it made this experience so much easier without worrying about financial woes that could have quickly developed,” says Richie. “I feel the results of my art would have suffered if it wasn’t for the funding. I hope future recipients of the Award enjoy their university experience just as much as I did and embrace all the opportunities it provides.”
Richie now shares a studio in Sunderland with two other artists where he develops his passion for painting, sculpture as well as other projects.