My foundation course in the early 60s was mainly taught by fine artists. They seemed to me to create an atmosphere where anyone, who opted for anything other than fine art, had "copped out". Consequently anyone who did graphics, industrial or fashion design had already decided on that before they started the foundation course. I opted for fine art on the new Diploma in Art and Design course, but got the elbow, along with 6 others, at the end of the first year.
In retrospect, I think they did me a favour. I was too immature, having gone straight from school, and was only interested in girls and motorbikes. If I'd done the course when I was thirty, I would have lapped it up. Even at the time I could see that too many fine artists were being turned who would struggle if they couldn't get a part-time teaching job. I think Mrs Thatcher spotted that and did something about it.
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