Our research across Art and Design covers two main themes:
Art, Design and Society
Research in art and design which explores and contributes to, challenges, reflects and shapes our communities and the wider world. Included in this theme is work that could be described as extending the vocabularies of art and design; researchers who often explore the territory between different disciplines, sometimes in a collaborative and participatory way - for example artists and designers working with the sciences, film, dance, music, curation, health and wellbeing and performance, as well as examining issues around sustainability, climate emergency and site-specificity.
Materials, Materiality and Media
Research in art and design which encompasses the exploration of ideas specifically through the use of materials (painting, drawing, the photographic image etc) and making; and research in art and design which explores new/digital media and the networked image including the impact digital media has on the presentation and interpretation of culture in museum collections. This may include the interplay between digital and physical materials as well as experimentation with print and materials. For example, as a result of Covid-19, cultural audiences must now encounter the materiality of physical art, design and craft-based outputs through virtual, often networked experiences.