Interview with Kimberley Murray

Kimberley Murray is the new Head of Art at Dulwich International High School Suzhou, she graduated with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art, specializing in sculpture and gained her PGCE at Northumbria University in the UK. She was previously a Subject Leader of Art and Design in Cumbria before moving to Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong. Here, she taught years 7 to 13 which included GCSE and the International Baccalaureate. Kimberley has taught in China for four years. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, keeping up with current events and looking after her cat. We recently interviewed Ms Murray, and she talked about art and her plan with the art department.

 1  Why did you come to Dulwich International High School Suzhou?

Having gained experience in international education (and especially in the Dulwich family) I wanted to move into a more challenging role. I enjoy working in the arts and managing a creative team.

 2  What’s special about art?

To study art, students really have to be passionate about it, have their own ideas, make mistakes and learn from them, be able to do critical analysis, and express their ideas with various materials and elements.

 3  What’s special about the art course at Dulwich International High School Suzhou?

Besides having experienced teachers from good backgrounds, our art department also provides great facilities for students. Y12 and Y13 students have their own space to work, and this is usually only seen in some art institutes or art studio. Also, our students have broad access to different materials used to express their ideas, and this is very unique to our school.

 4  How should students prepare before choosing to study art?

They should know that learning art is not merely about passively receiving knowledge and doing what your teacher tells you. You must come into your art class with a sense of purpose. It requires a lot of critical thinking, it is difficult and challenging, and sometimes can be emotional.

 5  What’s your plan for the art department?

My plan is to inspire excellence in both fine art and graphic design, I want every student to be supported without anyone left behind. I want to help every art student to reach their potential.

 6  Do you find teaching Chinese students at Dulwich International High School Suzhou different from teaching other foreign students?

It isn’t really comparable because Chinese students here are learning A-Level courses, and foreign students at Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong are following the IB course. Since most students come from the public system, I suggest they keep an open mind and have a positive attitude when coming to our art classes. Don’t worry about your skills, you just need to be willing to embrace a new way of being taught and have the courage to interact with teachers and other students.

 7  You have experience working in architecture. How can you bring that into the classroom?

I can share my experience with students, helping them to broaden their horizon and see what it’s like working in the professional world. I can also give them advice when it comes to choosing a major and help them envision their careers after university.

 8  Talking about careers, some parents and students are worried about limited career options for art majors, can you help them?

Art is sometimes undervalued but art is everywhere. Like any other major, graduates have to start from the bottom when they first enter the professional field, and gradually work their way up. There are numerous professions an art student can choose from, to name a few: graphic design, art curator, editorial, book illustration, fashion design, 3D design, art therapy, and you can even work for yourself.

 9  What’s your teaching style?

I think art projects belong to students, they are the ones who initiate it, they need to think about what they are doing, justify why they are doing it, and I’ll be the one who facilitates that process. In the process, I’ll have respectful conversations with them and help them improve their work.

 10  What’s your expectation for students?

I expect students to think, to challenge and engage. Those students who can make meaningful progress after several conversations with me, who can have a realization or a leap forward after making some small steps forward make me proud.