SHIFT: Alexander Costello

Artist, teacher and gallery owner Alexander Costello discusses his philosophy and practice of encouraging secondary school students to make up their own mind on what they want to make, and growing their confidence through displaying their work.

In this film, Alexander Costello discusses the philosophies he enacts in his classroom as a Secondary School art teacher and practicing artist. From his non-profit gallery space 303 Projects, where he also displays works by his students, he explains to us his process of developing an awareness in Years 7 to 11 students of what it means to be an artist, encouraging them to re-define what art is on their own terms and respond positively to making work, seeing their work and appreciating their work.

While he notes the time commitment it takes to nurturing each student, he reiterates the satisfaction of pushing the idea that the students lead their own projects and lead their own outcomes, and relishes the collective gratifying moments in which students have displayed works publicly through external collaborations in North London.

But for me, the most important thing was the kids had control of what they were doing. And my position as a teacher was to just keep asking them what it is that they're doing and why is it that they're doing.

About the film

This film is part of SHIFT – Freelands Foundation’s seasonal series of short films spotlighting varied practices, approaches and philosophies within art education.

All images and footage courtesy of the artist.

Captions and editing by Sixbetween.

© Freelands Foundation, 2021

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