We are delighted to announce that Michael Szpakowski, Senior Lecturer in Art and Design at Writtle College, has been awarded his PhD by publication from the University of Westminster for his body of work and dissertation entitled: Scenes of Provincial Life: An online video sequence and commentary.
Michael, who has worked at Writtle College for the past seven years, teaches Art and Design students at both degree and masters levels. As well as an accomplished artist, Michael is also a composer and writer and his music has been performed all over the UK, in Russia and the USA.
He has exhibited work in galleries in the UK, mainland Europe and the USA and his short films have been shown throughout the world. He is also a joint editor of the online video resource DVblog.
The work for his PhD comprised a sequence of around 450 short movies, many of which have been posted online and shown in galleries and at film festivals around the world, together with a 25,000 word commentary. Some of Michael’s films are currently on show at the 20-21 Visual Arts Centre in Scunthorpe and have also been seen recently at the Beecroft Gallery in Southend.
Michael said: “I'm particularly pleased that as an active artist, and a teacher of Art, I'm receiving the award for an ‘artistic’ body of work, rather than simply as a commentator upon the work of others. One of the things we emphasise above all others on the Art and Design degree course at Writtle is the importance, come rain, come shine, of rolling up your sleeves and simply getting on with making work. I feel this award vindicates that approach.”