by Dr Ari Chand & Dr Andrew Howells – Exhibition Curators
Exhibition contributors: Alan Male, Andrew Howells, Andrew Selby, Andy R Davies, Ari Chand, David Blaiklock, Elizabeth Delumba, Ellen Weinstein, Gill Sampson, Iliana Oakes, Jake Abrams, Jo Berry, Jo Mignone, Linda Knight, Lious Netter, Mario Minichiello, Mary E Begin, Melanie Reim, Richard Johnson, Robert Brinkerhoff, Robyn Phillips-Pendleton, Stuart Medley, and Tim Vyner.
Seeking vision is a group exhibition of non-traditional research outcomes that seeks to explore and investigate the role of Illustration in the contemporary landscape of practice-based, practice-led and speculative research. Bringing together a global network of scholars – diverse views and work are exhibited together in a virtual and immersive gallery for viewing. This exhibition enables virtual galleries and spaces in which digital collaboration, the ability to embed rating interaction and viewing feedback alongside collecting empirical data about visitor engagement. This speaks to the future potential for peer-review of non-traditional works that embody creative practitioners’ approaches to both individual research, and research with collaborative partners.
TAKE A WALK THROUGH THE INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL EXHIBITION
SEE A DEMO OF THE VIRTUAL WALK THROUGH
VIEW FULL CATALOGUE WITH RESEARCH STATEMENTS
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FROM THE AUTHORS
Illustration Research: Exploring the Role of Non-traditional Research Outcomes and Exhibition
Dr Ari Chand, Dr Andrew Howells, Professor Alan Male, Professor Mario Minichiello, Dr Chloe Killen
Illustration is a robust and established academic discipline globally. It engages a multiplicity of disciplinary subject matter and is investigated in-depth by practice-based research, design studies, and cultural production. Illustration operates across a diverse range of our engagement with everyday life and experience. This focused discussion seeks to investigate the burgeoning role of Illustration outcomes, drawing and documentation as NTROs (Non-Traditional Research Outcomes) within the Academy. With NTROs now recognised within universities, clarity around how illustration as a field of research meets requirements and institutes the academic rigour of non-traditional approaches. This discussion seeks to outline and highlight the important role of exhibition in establishing peer-review and activation of non traditional research language, research statements and approaches. A growing international community seeks to solidify these diverse approaches to research and the employment of Illustration as both input and output to diverse and interdisciplinary projects.
Dr Ari Chand is a Illustrator/Visual Designer, Art/Design Educator and Lecturer in Illustration/Animation at the University of South Australia (UniSA Creative), Adelaide, South Australia. His expertise encompasses Illustration and Design (Visual Communication Design), Art Education and Creative Industries. His research evaluates sociological frameworks for design and illustration practice. His illustration practice comprises both traditional and digital techniques. In 2019 his work was selected as a finalist in the #21 Dobell Drawing Prize (National Art School). In 2021 he was awarded an Emerging Scholar Award at the 16th Conference on Design Practices and Principles.
Dr Andrew Howells is a Lecturer in Natural History Illustration at the University of Newcastle. His research interests include conservation science, digital and traditional illustration practice, and drawing as enquiry. His PhD research was based on the confluence of these topics in a project titled Elephant: Art and Science. In line with his research interests, Dr Howells teaches into the Natural History Illustration program with a focus on; studio studies, field studies and scientific illustration courses. He also brings with him valuable industry experience, having held roles in amination, graphic design and illustration in both an agency and freelance contexts.