Miss Kelly (Tala Cloudwatcher)> Brown

Research project: A quiet revolution: Craft in the Anthrpocene

Abstract

Project Title: A Quiet Revolution: Crafts in the Anthropocene

Subtitle Can Beautiful craft objects change the world?

Abstract

Looking at the intersection of craft, emancipation and ‘making', could Paulo Freire's concept of ‘emancipatory praxis' be used as a means of developing radical, intuitive, process-led practice as ‘liberated making' within in textiles and self-photography, while also examining  whether beauty and function in craft making could be a way of dealing with our ‘concerns' regarding the situation of objects in the Anthropocene?

In my research I am aiming to determine whether ‘making' can be a radical act, and whether self-photography of that making, could be an archiving, excavation, and construction of self, while also determining my presence as a craft artist.  The thesis aspect focuses on a broader question about craft in the Anthropocene. It utilises an understanding of Design futures, such as design led making that draws towards the future. At the heart of my research is 'concern' (concern for the planet and the quality of our lives). Underpinning both investigations is a focus on the intersection of craft, emancipation and making, and Paulo Freire's concept, ‘emancipatory praxis'. Freire writes in his book ‘The pedagogy of the oppressed ', that we could be empowered if we wrestle back our creative capacity- our ability to make, from Capitalism. Using different creative methodologies[1] my intention is to create a wardrobe of clothing akin to 'folk clothing', (drawing upon aspects of sustainable clothes making), over the course of my PhD Research and create self-photography images that both document and represent this process and experience. This practice-based research involves an analysis of myself, within my process led craft practice. The focus of which is textile-based making. The inspiration for my research, entitled 'A Quiet Revolution: Crafts in the Anthropocene', concentrates on clothing that creates little waste, such as working clothes based around the rectangular shape: Indigenous and nomadic garments. My intention is to learn from other cultures and communities, through books and field research, using non-hierarchical learning methods, to make a wardrobe of clothing, which has the quality of the 'Nouveau Bohemianism'. It is qualitative research and uses the notion of ontological-self-epistemology or knowing of oneself, (the notion of ‘Dasein' as defined by Heidegger), as the basis for a personal, quiet response to the situation of objects made via capitalism, and how they impinge and affect both social injustices, the now agendas of BLM and ‘climate concern'. I see my research of beautiful, functional, radical making and craft in the Anthropocene' as a possible solution for Capitalistic object making.

[1]  Essentially my creative practice will centre around photography and textiles, within my textile practice I will explore different methodologies to create fabric and consequently clothing or garments, such as dyeing, screen printing, and embroidery, Sashiko stitch, Saori weaving. Within my photography practice I will explore documenting process images as well as self-photography.