Exploring the art and environment phenomenon through photography and tertiary-level place-based education

Young, Carolyn Gai

Exploring the art and environment phenomenon through photography and tertiary-level place-based education

Date

2016

Authors

Young, Carolyn Gai

Abstract

The purpose of my thesis is to develop a better understanding of how visual fine artists, through field-based research, can meld subject disciplines about environment with creative art outputs. The thesis comprises two parts: studio research with accompanying exegesis (60%), and dissertation (40%). The research is inter-disciplinary, with a crossover between visual arts and sciences. The thesis developed from the premise that the world is undergoing an environmental crisis and solutions will require a multifaceted approach that includes the visual fine arts. The purpose of the studio research was to develop a new way of looking at ecosystems - one that is both aesthetic and scientifically informed. The subject of my research was remnant vegetation within farmed systems. The aim was to provide a quality visual record, through the medium of photography, which could be used to promote the public’s awareness of these endangered ecosystems. In developing the studio practice I participated in the Australian National University School of Art Field Study program, experimented with the still life photography genre, and undertook commissions and an art residency. A field-based research method for making scientifically informed and fine art photographs was developed. The Grassy Woodlands series, the final studio research, visually communicates ecological knowledge of grassy woodlands, and changes that happen to plant diversity as a result of human management interventions. The innovative methodology developed provides a foundation for which to share scientific knowledge, through visual art, with new audiences. The purpose of the dissertation research was to explore art and environment education at the tertiary level to better understand the visual fine artists’ experience. A qualitative research design was used to evaluate the experiences of student artists across four School of Art Field Study programs at The Australian National University. Findings indicate that the Field Study program, through applying experiential and action research principles, successfully: (1) inspired art making; (2) enabled meaningful art in response to place; (3) made the environment salient and increased the artists’ environmental awareness; and (4) developed professional skills in field-based research and exhibiting. The research findings are useful to tertiary level art and environment course conveners’ wanting to develop a better understanding of place-based education, in particular helping them to link action to outcome and adjust their curriculum accordingly. As part of the conclusions an extended program is proposed to further develop an artist’s ability to critically examine the nexus between culture and nature, and to work collaboratively within multi-disciplinary projects to solve environmental problems. The proposal is preliminary and recommendations for further research are outlined in the conclusion.