Commodity - A Self Portrait

 

Medium: 5500 one pence coins

Commodity - A Self Portrait

Oxford English dictionary: Commodity A thing of value. A useful thing.

Commodity-A Self Portrait…Using the coin-like shape and coins as my medium of choice to create a self-portrait, my piece attempts to illustrate that

  • human beings are society’s greatest commodity;
  • higher education maximises human potential;
  • the perceived value of higher education by graduates and society.

My piece attempts to address the question of whether higher education is indeed a worthwhile cost for maximising human potential and value in society.

 

Considering higher education as a mature student was a life changing decision. Without a degree I considered my future prospects and ambition to use my art positively to work with others was limited. For most worthwhile jobs a degree is invariably a standard requirement, confirming employers place considerable value on higher education. Nevertheless, I did question whether a degree was a worthwhile investment for me.

With social and political focus on spiralling student debt and the slump in the jobs market, especially for graduates, there is understandable debate about the value of higher education and who should bear the cost. Some consider the graduate should, as they generally experience more opportunities for a job of choice, greater earnings potential and better standard of living. Others believe the taxpayer should foot the bill, as it is society who inevitably benefits from graduates education.

Commodity - A Self Portrait

Studies found the cost of going to university the number one deterrent and it was, and still is, a major concern for me. In spite of a substantial debt now, with the knowledge and personal development acquired from this course, I believe the effort, anxiety and cost was well worth it. The experience has made me mentally stronger, expanded my horizons and artistic capabilities and equipped me with more marketable skills, potentially affording me greater employment prospects. I now consider myself to be a more valuable member of society.

I hope my piece reflects all these things and proves the price of higher education is worth the personal cost. I also hope my piece is viewed in its entirety as being representative of “Commodity” – A thing of value.

Please see the following links for more details