RESEARCH FESTIVAL
Workshop
Title: Writing as Sculptural Gesture
While my practice is deeply personal, exploring notions of memory, home, and belonging through the lens of family rituals from my childhood, it is also informed by contemporary and historical art practitioners whose works have shaped my approach to sculpture. During my MA, I developed a structured writing method combining creative and academic writing, using close reading and close writing to engage with artists’ work, exhibitions, essays, and books, and reflecting on how these influences shaped the form and material presence of my sculptures.
For the Research Festival, I propose this workshop as an extension of my practice. I aim to reflect on circularity within my own practice, how engagement with other artists informs my sculptures, and to test whether my research method can be adapted and carried within other’s practices. This aligns with my intention to explore sharing my research methods through workshops in the future.
So far, I have prepared a full workshop plan and visual presentation slides to guide the session on a large screen. I developed a Photo & Video Consent form to ensure participants are represented with respect and integrity, giving them control over how their image and creative presence are shared. I also created promotional materials, including images for social media and Eventbrite, to reach potential participants.
During the session, I plan to share an example of my work and writing both on screen and as printed handouts, demonstrating how close reading/writing feed into my sculptural practice. Participants are asked to bring an image of an artefact that inspires them and engage in a guided process of close looking, reading and writing. Together we will consider and reflect on how close observation and engagement might alter perception, guide or disrupt thinking, and what participants might carry forward into their future research or creative work.
Looking forward, I scheduled a trial session for 7 November in the Learning Zone, running a 20-minute version as part of a troubleshooting session with Anna Bunting-Branch, where peers will act as participants. This rehearsal will test timing, materials, and activities to ensure smooth delivery of the workshop.
Link to Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/writing-as-sculptural-gesture-tickets-1956228344639?aff=odcleoeventsincollection&keep_tld=1
PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL
PRESENTATION MATERIAL
WORKSHOP PLAN
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY CONSENT FORM
