Art Historian and Contemporary Art Professional here to help with art history at A Level and undergraduate level

Learn more about Francesca

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I first developed an interest in art history when studying fine art at A-level. I always loved making art, and I also always loved interpretation in English literature, but at the time I didn't know that art history was something you could learn about. When I started looking into university courses and found that I could combine both these things, I realised that art history was the one for me. A decade later, it's this same passion for interpreting artworks that I hope to instil in my students on Superprof.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  While I have studied art history across a wide range of periods, contemporary art history is where my specialism lies. By this I mean visual art since the 1960s, and I am interested in all art forms from this period, with a particular interest in film, sculpture and performance. I am also especially drawn to analyses of art that are theoretical in approach, with particular interest in contemporary art and ecology, feminism, politics, post-colonialism and material culture. I am less concerned with conservation, provenance or connoisseurship.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  I was especially inspired by lecturers in modern and contemporary art history, who in my final year of my undergraduate degree introduced me to psychoanalytic feminist art and post-internet feminist art. As a young woman, I found both lecturers incredibly inspiring for generating ideas on art, gender and subjectivity, both personally and intellectually. One of these lecturers continued to be a source of inspiration professionally when becoming my doctoral supervisor.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  The ability to be both constructive and motivational are key. Students face a lot of stress with assessment deadlines, and I have frequently found that most students don't lack knowledge or ability, but the self-confidence to do what's necessary to achieve great results on a deadline. Oftentimes I work as a sounding board for ideas, a fresh pair of eyes on an essay, or someone to simply confirm that they're on track to completing their work.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  Ahead of starting my undergraduate degree in art history, I hadn't studied the subject before. Despite trying to read suggested books on the subject ahead of starting my degree, nothing could prepare me for the lack of confidence I would feel when sat in a seminar room with people more experienced in the subject and more well travelled. I had not grown up in an environment where frequent trips to galleries and museums was normal. However, I would urge anyone who feels like they are in a similar situation to continue to pursue the subject. I have learnt that what makes a good art historian is someone with a keen eye, a careful reader and an ability to think critically about the world around them. These qualities transcend class, and have the potential to challenge existing and inequitable power structures.

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  Art history is a very expansive subject with very different methods. Oftentimes it can take a while for students to find something they are interested in. As my expertise lies in my theoretical approaches to contemporary art, I often find that I struggle to remember more historical artistic periods. However, I like to remind my students that it's not possible to know everything about everything, so it's best to pursue the area you enjoy the most.

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  The most satisfying part of being a tutor is being able to instil the confidence in students to achieve their goals. While I have taught larger groups before, I particularly enjoy the personalised approach of one-to-one tutoring that enables me to really listen to the student's needs. Being able to provide advice and then hear about their achievements is the most fulfilling thing.

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  I believe I am an attentive and enthusiastic tutor who is very empathetic towards the struggles of students today. Additionally, as someone who is now working in the cultural sector, I believe I have plenty of practical careers advice for students, alongside purely academic concerns.