Welcome back to the Student Spotlight, where each week we’ll be interviewing an LAU student to find out more about you and your practice! For this week’s Student Spotlight we spoke to Photography student and co-leader of the Plant Society, Katie Banks. She shared who inspires her, how she works and also revealed exciting ambitions for the future!
Read on to find out just what those ambitions are!
Students’ Union: Hi Katie, thanks so much for taking the time to talk to us today! Let's kick off with you telling us a bit about your work. Could you tell us what type of work you produce?
Katie Banks: I produce a lot of documentary style images.
Students’ Union: That sounds so interesting! Who and what inspires you?
Katie Banks: I think my A Level Photography teacher inspired me a lot and allowed me to follow my passion and she pushed me to not be ashamed of the work I create.
Students’ Union: It's so inspiring when you have a teacher that has so much passion for a subject, it's great that you have had that experience! When do you feel like you're at your most creative?
Katie Banks: I feel my most creative when I'm in a bit of a slump, I end up using my work as an outlet to show my emotions to show how I feel or something from my perspective.
Students’ Union: A lot of artists and creatives tend to bring personal emotions into their work. This can be really beneficial to your own wellbeing as well as making your art so much more interesting. What are your plans for the future?
Katie Banks: My plans are to become an A Level Photography teacher! I want to share my love with others and teach them how expressing your opinions via art is some times the best therapy. I want to inspire people to follow their dreams and passion.
Students’ Union: It's so amazing that you want to teach in you creative practice field and share your talents and skills. What do you listen to whilst working?
Katie Banks: My favourite thing to listen to is Lo-fi Music! It's honestly so therapeutic and helps me focus on my work a lot more!
Students’ Union: Relaxing music is so good to get you in the creative zone! How do you come up with your ideas?
Katie Banks: For me I like to step back and let the world happen around me and look for things that I would usually miss, this can lead to simple images or I have a 'brain wave' and it pushes me to come up with an entire concept.
Students’ Union: Thank you so much for sharing with us today Katie!
If you want to check out more of Katie's work then you can find her @katie.banks3002