Abstract
Carter (2004) describes the act of material thinking as something the maker, artist or creative experiences when engaging in creative practice. Material thinking is a process that artists and creatives undergo when engaging with their work. In an age where the digital medium dominates, tactile engagement and ‘material time’ have come to the fore (Blakey & Mitchell 2007). This paper discusses a UK-based research project investigating the creative methods of several creative practitioners and the interplay between materials, techniques and processes in art practice. Observations and reflections around artistic concepts such as ambiguity, uncertainty and the so-called ‘sticky curriculum’ in art and design education are considered (Orr, S. & Shreeve, A. 2018) alongside unconventional method and material and how this challenges perceived orthodoxy. The paper suggests that materials are not passive mediums but serve as co-agents in artistic production, and how this actively plays a role in boundary-breaking and shapes outcomes. As a result, artists can push boundaries further in their creative endeavours. This iterative cycle of deconstruction and reconstruction will be discussed in relation to developing deeper insights and advancing both the artist’s knowledge and the broader cultural understanding. The enhancement of experiential learning through the repeated handling and manipulation of materials will be considered together with how this repetition helps consolidate prior knowledge, builds confidence, and extends understanding.
Presenters
Ali ShepleySenior Lecturer Fine Art, Faculty of Arts, Computing and Engineering, Wrexham University, United Kingdom Alec Shepley
Professor of Art & Society / Associate Dean for Research, Faculty of Arts, Computing and Engineering, Wrexham University, Wrexham [Wrecsam GB-WRC], United Kingdom
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
MATERIAL THINKING, ART PRACTICE, LUDIC PEDAGOGY, PRACTICE BASED RESEARCH
