Joya: AiR / David McGovern / IRE

‘Joya: AiR was just what I needed in January. It was a place to have peace and clarity, but also get stuck into some challenging work. I loved the structure of the day: chatting with other artists over breakfast, periods of focused work, and lots of walks and fresh air to keep myself well. In the evening it was always a pleasure to let go of the work, enjoy unbelievably delicious food, and chat by the fire.

I was working on something that was quite laborious and sometimes frustrating. It was great to be able to step away from the work and be in a beautiful and welcoming environment. I felt supported by the other artists, and of course by Donna and Simon. You have the opportunity to speak about and show your work if you wish, but it is not an obligation.

It’s hard to pick a highlight of my two weeks there. The fresh, healthy meals really stand out. But perhaps the most enriching thing was the exchanges with other artists. We were able to reflect on our practice, and share it with each other if we wished. We also had lots of fun, and got to know each other outside of our work. I feel completely renewed after my time at Joya: AiR.

David McGovern

David is an artist and educator currently based in Ireland. He is a visiting lecturer in moving image at University of the Arts London, including Central St Martins and Chelsea School of Art and Design. He runs a variety of workshops that reimagine our relationship to film. Thinking Through Moving Image uses video-making as a tool to unblock the thought process, much like you might use a sketchbook when you are stuck. He has delivered this session in a variety of environments outside the university, including schools and studios in Nepal and Japan.

At London College of Fashion he is the head of the fashion film short course. Using both theory and practice, the course plays with the ambiguity of fashion film, encouraging the students to widen the definition rather than narrow it. He believes that fashion films should have a conscience and a purpose, even if that purpose is escapism and wonder. His expertise of the topic has led him to judge and speak at a number of fashion film festivals globally.

Previously David was Senior Video Creative at The Future Laboratory. He used his penchant for experimental film to examine and abstractly communicate the trends and shifting behaviours. He developed site-specific video installations of future scenarios that were screened across London; including Barbican’s Milton Court, Shoreditch Town Hall and the Southbank Centre. He directed work for a number of international clients including Design Hotels, Jameson and Gucci.