Page 152 of The Examiner

Yes, yes! Here they are. Attached. Sorry, Hannah. It’s this RD8 event. Sorry, sorry.

Jem Badhuri’s Doodle Diary, 30 May 2024:

Today’s the day! I’m here now in the studio, with the head. Everyone says how amazing it looks. Griff, Rita, Tony, Gela – everyone who’s been supportive of me. The other MA students? Well, they’re all in their own worlds and there they can stay.

I’ve just given the head a great big hug. I feel excited but sad. It’s like saying goodbye. Before long it’ll be out in the world being poked, prodded and criticised by strangers. I’m not complaining, but the head is mine. My idea, and I did most of the work on it. If I have any regrets at all, it’s that it’s not a permanent piece. The materials will degrade. Should I have devised a sculpture we could fire, that would last for ever? Yes, but if I’d fired it I wouldn’t have achieved this masterstroke of touch. The cold steel and warm clay is a deliciously conflicting sensation. We can’t simply destroy it. I’ll make sure, one way or another, that it escapes the RD8 incinerator. Dad can lower the back seats in the car and, once we get it home, he’ll make room for it somewhere.

Doodle message group [Private] Gela and Jem, 30 May 2024:

Gela Nathaniel

Hannah called me about your diversity form. You ticked ‘no’ where you should have ticked ‘yes’.

Jem Badhuri

I don’t think so.

Gela Nathaniel

It’s important for the department that this form is accurate.

Jem Badhuri

Which question?

Gela Nathaniel

‘Do you consider yourself to have a disability?’

Jem Badhuri

I don’t consider myself to have a disability.

Gela Nathaniel

I realise that, but others – who don’t know you – may, and this form is purely to aid the department in its programme of inclusivity.

Jem Badhuri

The question says: do you consider yourself disabled? – and I don’t, so I ticked ‘no’.

Gela Nathaniel

But it would help us if you ticked ‘yes’, because the department has worked hard to make the course and the studio accessible for students who *do* consider themselves to have additional needs.

Jem Badhuri

So, because I’m blind, I’m disabled? I disagree. I identify as able. That’s very important to me.

Gela Nathaniel

And we respect that. But future visually-impaired students might feel differently. We want them to know that others have been accommodated and excelled, as you have. You’ll be an inspiration to them.

Jem Badhuri

Well, OK then. I’ll get Dad to print the form out again and tick the other box. But remember how accommodating I’ve been when you mark my long essay.

Gela Nathaniel