PAD: Perspectives in Art & Design Edition 5
Introducing the latest edition of The Northern School of Art’s journal PAD: Perspectives in Art & Design. This 5th publication is a special staff ‘Art Research & Scholarly Activity Conference Edition’ which gives further insight into research from some of the School’s lecturers. The work included is reflective of July’s Research & Scholarly Activity Conference 2023.
Innovation and Impact in Curriculum
Responding to the theme of ‘Innovation and Impact in Curriculum‘, Senior Lecturers, members of the Scholarly Activity Working Group and The Northern School of Art’s Research Committee showcased their research activity and in-programme scholarly activity for the 2022 – 2023 academic year at the Inaugural Research & Scholarly Activity Conference, reflecting on how the research and scholarly activity undertaken has had a direct impact on both the curriculum and the wider school community.
In this follow-up edition of PAD readers can see presentations and extended research from lecturers. Read on to find out more.
SAR
Senior Lecturer in Research and Scholarly Activity has two contributions, A SAR Student Celebration, which “focuses directly on the ways in which our undergraduate and postgraduate students are involved in SAR, and how their invaluable contributions enable our SAR to develop, progress and move forward collectively”, and Embodied Connections – Establishing a Framework for Environmental Landscape Pedagogies through the Principals of Photography, in which “research explores how engaging in photographic practice can inspire and awaken deeper connections to the landscape”.
Visual Arts – Medium & Method
- Wet & Dry Photography and Workflow – Jamie MacDonald, BA (Hons) Photography
“An investigation into the educational values of introducing analogue and film darkroom-based techniques that underpin teaching of the practice-based discipline of photography at graduate level. This will highlight how to sustain a learner’s engagement whilst encouraging explorative, experiential thinking and approaches to creative practice in the specialist subject of photography.”
- How can Painting be Taught in Arts Schools? – Dr Jonathan Chapman, BA (Hons) Fine Art
Jonathan’s research addresses “how, as a programme team, we support our students to discover their personal practice, as well as support them in developing ‘traditional’ painting skills, and to apply the development of skills situated within digital imaging and new media approaches to painting”.
- Socially-Engaged Practice – Paul Clay, BA (Hons) Graphic Design
Paul’s presentation focuses on “socially-engaged practice” and “explores some of the ways that students have responded to live briefs, working with organisations such as Hartlepool Food Bank, Now You See Me Moria, The Bay Food Bank with SAIL Agency, alongside student-led projects including The Northern Climate Conference 2023”.
- Self-Publication and The Print Press – Matthew Burton, BA (Hons) Illustration for Commercial Application
Matthew’s research considers that although “the concept of zine or independent ‘small press’ publication and production is not unusual within the curriculum of many illustration or design programmes … (T)here are several reasons why such modules are commonplace, be that transferable technical skills within print, layout, or the act of making.” His presentation explains the impact that the research undertaken into the “fundamental function of such works” had on the curriculum as well as on the development of the course for the future.
- Research Spotlight: Social justice and empowerment of undergraduates from predominantly disadvantaged backgrounds – with reference to the APP (Access & Participation Plan) – Jayne Hemmins, BA Hons Textiles & Surface Design
Jayne’s presentation introduces her doctoral research, investigating the development and impact of action-based, democratic, participatory research upon undergraduate art and design students who have been educated within English state schools within the 21st century.
“Neo-liberalised education systems are identified as a factor in creating undergraduates who may find creative and critical thinking challenging, and the research will consider ways to disrupt this system and offer creative possibilities to empower the undergraduates involved.”
Stage & Screen – Collaborative Practices
- An investigation analysing strategies for teaching group theatre performance in higher education’ Jonny Bussell, BA (Hons) Acting for Stage & Screen
Jonny’s research aims to analyse strategies for teaching group theatre performance in higher education. Three particular approaches that will form the basis of this research are: Student-Director: When students direct their peers, Lecturer-Director: When a member of academic staff directs the production and External director: When a director from industry (and outside the organisation) is brought in to direct the production.
- The Development of the Costume Study Archive and its Impact on Curriculum – Jane Havakin, BA (Hons) Costume Interpretation with Design
Jane considers the importance of access to archives and artefacts in educational institutions during a period of decline in visiting museums and exhibitions. “Primary sources give students a connection with the past, bridging the gap between often seemingly distant historical phenomena and the present. Costume staff have worked with local archives and attended courses to develop systems to conserve the acquired artefacts, capture their histories and memories as well as the individual qualities they have acquired and improved the access to the archive.”
- East Cleveland: Furniture, Theatre, Opera – Ideas for a Curriculum, Tony Shaw, BA (Hons) Production Design for Stage & Screen
Tony’s research project ‘Ideas for a Curriculum’ was a collaborative project with MA student Angela List-Evans that focused on the Boosbeck Industries; a furniture scheme for unemployed miners in the 1930s led by Jim and Ruth Pennyman of Ormesby Hall in Middlesbrough and overseen by Wilfred Franks, a Bauhaus trained designer who imparted his knowledge and skills in furniture-making.
He explains how the project inspired the creation of a series of small-scale models of the Boosbeck furniture for a ‘handling collection’ for visitors to Ormesby Hall and how time spent exploring Ormesby Hall’s archives also led to further research into the curriculum and a consideration of the influences of the Bauhaus and Boosbeck through practice and theory. Outcomes from the project included a student talk by Angela and teaching aids explaining about construction and how to translate research and drawings into models for exhibition.
Mike’s work presents the impact of collaboration across the Stage & Screen faculty. “As a direct result of this cross-collaboration across the faculty, students across all programmes have won multiple awards including the Royal Television Society Awards and Kodak Nahemi Commercial Awards, in addition to premiering their films at national and international film festivals.”
Read the latest edition of Perspectives in Art & Design and previous publications here.
