InSEA 2017 Doctoral Research Award

EDUCATING ARTISTS BEYOND DIGITAL: UNDERSTANDING NETWORK ART AND RELATIONAL LEARNING AS CONTEMPORARY PEDAGOGY

by

Heidi Marie May

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I am completely thrilled to accept the 2017 InSEA Doctoral Award. My dissertation was completed in October 2013, near the beginning of the allowable timeframe for applying for this award; thus, this award comes at a time when I am able to reflect with hindsight. I feel especially grateful to have had such an amazing supervisor (Dr. Rita L. Irwin) and committee (Dr. Donal O’Donoghue and Dr. Teresa Dobson). Receiving this award has encouraged me to continue to publish, share and expand on the knowledge generated from my doctoral research.

My dissertation examines the notion of ‘network’ in art, learning, and teaching by examining the practices of seven contemporary artists who work with relational practices and digital media, and who also teach in universities. This research aligns itself with the notion that network art is not based on objects, nor digital instruments alone, but on the relationships and processes that occur between the multiple components and individuals that contribute to the work. I found that there are dialogical, collaborative, and performative connections between how these artist-educators make art and how they approach pedagogy. This study provides expanded understandings of network art and relational learning that have significant implications for art and education.

14 February 2017

Heidi Marie May