I am an
ARTIST, a RESEARCHER, and a TEACHER
combined.
Irwin & de Cosson (2004) call the work that comes from people like me, “A/R/TOGRAPHY”.
They write that these roles intertwine to create a unique triadic perspective
from which to make art, conduct research, and teach.
I’ve illustrated this concept here:
If I had not been interested in art, I likely would not have become a teacher.
If I had not become a teacher, I would not have had reason to pursue a research doctorate.
FREIRE, HOLT, GATTO, CSIKSZENTMIHALYI, ROBINSON, GREENE
Here’s my Masters of Education research project. I used art-based methodology to paint a literal and figurative portrait of the Artist/Researcher/Teacher and reflection on the nature of learning:
“What is EDUCATION for?”
In my view, the purpose of education is to foster problem solving and creative capacities to enable people to think on their own, for themselves, and with a mind to the world outside themselves.
“What is RESEARCH for?”
In my view, research is more than its dictionary definition: a “diligent and systematic inquiry.” Research carries the burden of social justice; if it is to be transformative it must be shared widely.
“What is ART for?”
In my view, art is for questioning, criticizing and analyzing what is, and to conceptualize what could/should be, in the spirit of social justice and in support of humanity. Art is a vehicle for reflection, exploration, voice, connecting with one another/our (collective) spirit, drive by historical human necessity and innate compulsion. It is a gift.
The Tenets of Art-Based Research (ABR):
“We must get beyond the attempt to impose a single type of research onto every life situation” (McNiff, 1998)
1. Art is an alternate form of communication
“a picture says 1000 words” means that art can say what language cannot
Nick Ut, 1972
Ed Burtynsky, Oxford Tire Pile No. 1, 1999
2. ABR is grounded in theory but not bound by tradition
e.g. Wells’ (2008) photonarrative dissertation, grounded in queer theory
3. ABR recognizes researcher presence
e.g. McDermott’s (2008) collage dissertation focused on her tumultuous love affair with another scholar
4. ABR emphasizes multiple truths
“Empower readers rather than alienate them with one-way choices” (Loi, 2008)
5. ABR underscores empathy
6. ABR ensures accessibility
a) understandable
b) within reach
How the Internet is Changing Everything:
What is Rigour?
“The quality of being extremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate” (McKean, 2006)
* what this means (i.e. what these indicators may look like) is fundamentally debatable
* we must account for knowledge pluralism
* an MFA culminates in an art show
* art is epistemology
What about Ethics?
Willing research informants are positioned as co-researchers, instead of nonprivileged “subjects” (Mitchell, 2008)
Media releases will be needed for anyone and/or their work appearing in my doc.
Intellectual property… Copyright… Creative commons.
And now for an example of how I see ABR informing my dissertation, in the form of a documentary…
My Doc Trailer: How Can We Nurture Creativity in Educational Contexts?
