Tribute to Andrew Siddall

“When you spend too much time thinking about doing something, you won’t have enough time to actually do it.” For me, Sid personified that phrase perfectly. From the moment I walked into my first session with Sid, I felt like everyone was welcome in the space and I was motivated to do my best, despite having little to no knowledge of the subjects we were taught by him. There are countless projects I created and that I witnessed which would have never seen the light of day if it hadn’t been for Sid, and whenever someone was lost or confused, he would show and tell us that at some point, you just have to stop “faffing about” and just “crack on with it” - needless to say I still quote him, and, knowing myself, I will continue to do so for as long as I can. After my graduation, I was lucky enough to speak and catch up with Sid a couple of times. The first time was when I had just been turned down from a job, to which he said, a cigarette in one hand and a glass of wine in the other: “Oh well, their loss isn’t it? You’ll find something better, big man!” This was a simple sentence, but I appreciated it greatly and still do. These days I often think about the time came to help out at the Festival Showcase in 2024, since that turned out to be the last time I would ever see and speak to Sid. I will always consider him one of my biggest inspirations on my artistic journey; he helped shape the way I approach projects and tasks. An artistic career is extremely difficult and can be cruel at times, but Sid showed us that there are plenty of things we are capable of, if we put our minds to it. Even though I did not know him as a friend, I will always feel grateful and privileged to have met Sid, and it will take a long time to fully realise that he is no longer with us. His can-do attitude, quick and razor-sharp wit and his sense of humour were a gift to me, and I will cherish it forever. Thank you for everything Sid! I promise I won’t stop cracking on with it!