Disconnect : an exegesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts at Massey University, Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
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Date
2021
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Massey University
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Abstract
This exegesis is an exploration and discussion of my photographic practice, and how the incorporation of stitching, or embroidery, into my process works to magnify a message. Through an examination of self portrait, and artists turning the view upon themselves, I unpack how these elements function as a means of therapy and to create a space for the shared discussion of mental health, trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and healing. Art practice has the capacity to give creators space to heal and understand their situation. In this exegesis, I look at how art has operated within the realm of self therapy, seeing how other creatives, and myself, have employed art as a means of interpreting and connecting. There is an exploration of safety within the work discussed, exploring the idea of allowing someone to share in a way that they may still feel protected, using the photograph as the revealer, and stitching as the protector, creating a safe space for feelings and thoughts to be processed and exorcised. To find ways to elevate a message or emotion, I ask how a work might be seen and felt. For this, I have used sound as an element alongside the works, exploring how it impacts the viewer, and how it might heighten their sensory experience; reinforcing the emotion behind what they view.