How did the experience affect you as an individual?
Receiving the JKS was very meaningful not only financially, but emotionally as well, it has strengthened my belief in myself.
What was the impact on your practice?
During my time in Florence, I spent days drawing the monumental, figurative sculptures which inhabit the city, obsessed with developing ways to portray the human animal and express the primitive nature of being. I worked on etchings at the printmaking studio: Stamperia D'arte Edi Grafica. The technicians there shared their vast knowledge of printmaking and offered to exhibit my work. Furthermore, the soulful and in-your-face-beautiful Italian culture provided a huge amount of motivation. Italians wear their hearts on their sleeves, loud and proud, and I believe that as an artist I am obliged to do the same through my work. I also realised that an outdoors lifestyle and having a lot of daylight had a very positive impact on my creative output and overall well-being.
Kane Mclay, Sabine, carbon drawing and oil on canvas, 120 x120 cm
