S2Ep5 Andrew Szczech.
In this episode, we delve into the fascinating journey of Andrew Szczech, a creative switcher who has transitioned from the world of IT to the realm of fine art.
Andrew Bio
From 1987 to 2017, Andrew worked in IT, both in-house and for solution providers. At the outset he was the link between the user community and the developers, ensuring that their requirements were met by new systems. He moved into more of a sales role as his career progressed.
Towards the end of his IT career, he was the Director of Legal Technology Services at Kroll Ontrack and was responsible for the growth and delivery of legal technologies services in the EMEA region. These services included ediscovery, computer forensics and consulting which were provided in order to assist clients in multiple practice areas including dispute resolution and antitrust.
Andrew’s main focus was always to ensure clients were able to maximise the benefits of using technologies within their organisations.
From 2017 to 2020, he studied for a BA in Fine Art at City and Guilds of London Art School (CGLAS) and was a awarded a first class degree.
From 2020 to 2021 Andrew then studied for an MA in Fine Art at CGLAS and was awarded a distinction.
He now works as a visual artist expressing his interest in the socio-politica landscape through traditional painting techniques.
● [02:43] – The Edge – up to date creative news and views
● [06:37] – Andrew’s views on the meaning of creativity
● [08:28] – Comparing expectations of an artistic life vs the reality
● [13:41] – A discussion about the tension between artistic creation and commercial need.
● [17:38] – Andrew shares his switching moment -the push and the pull.
● [21:12] – Nikki talks about the different phases of a creative journey
● [23:42] – Details about Andrew’s artistic practice and the inspirations behind it.
● [32:42] – Andrew explains the different stages of his work
● [33:53] – A discussion about wearing ‘all the hats’.
● [35:30] – Marketing is a very different thing.
● [39:51] – A sound piece of advice from Andrew about priorities
● [42:43] – How to put your transferable skills and experiences from a previous career to good use.
● [44:27] – Nikki shares a tip on turning rejection into a positive
● [47:38] – Creative Adventures – How curiosity can guide your creative path
Four Creative Nuggets
“It's creativity that the ideas you get are things you get through hard work, through research, through making things, through deciding from the things you make, which things work well, which don't work well, and using those as a springboard to move forward.” AS
The making and the selling, “Are completely parallel worlds. They are actually worlds which conflict.” AS
“I can find a location that represents the things that I'm interested in, and then I can make work that responds to that location..” AS
“Find ways of bringing creativity higher up your list of priorities.” AS
Links
Andrew
https://www.andrewszczech.com/
https://www.instagram.com/andrew_szczech/
The Edge
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2023/12/vr-art-exhibition.page
https://www.stylist.co.uk/health/mental-health/museums-art-galleries-benefits-one-good-thing/851164
https://secretldn.com/art-exhibitions-london/
https://artuk.org/visit/whats-on
Creative Adventures
Nadine Benjamin Episode
Nikki
https://nikkivallance.com/the-creative-switch-podcast/
https://www.nikkivallance.com/join-creative-switch-community/
https://www.instagram.com/nikki_vallance/
https://podchaser.com/TheCreativeSwitch/
Afflliate Links
Alitu: https://alitu.com?fp_ref=nikki-53
Captivate: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=njg4ytq
Do you know what a audio biographer does? Tune in for the next episode, to hear how my guest Caroline Pearce, found her calling as one after being an editor and ghost-writer along the way.
