The tao of magic : an exegesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the post-graduate degree of Master of Fine Arts at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract

This study examines an individual path through creative practice which draws from esoteric literature and builds upon a culture of contemporary relevance. Through the application of themes such as Taoism, anthropological magic, hip hop music and abstract expressionist painting, all of which influence my personal creative journey, I am able to contextualise methods of production and place them within the serendipitous context from which the works originated. By expressing themes of the world that are somewhat unknown, like the depiction of God or the understanding of magic, I set out to inform, through clues, a process and a hybrid of themes that reset the stage in a collective fashion of individual belief.