- Authors: McCoy, Jennifer
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text: false
- Description: This thesis explores the contribution of Scottish selectors to the social development of the Omeo region of remote eastern Victoria, Australia, during the period 1875 to 1900, drawing on the experiences of people with familial connection to the McCoy family. These people were mostly agricultural labourers, prevented from land ownership in Scotland, and handloom weavers whose skills had been lost to the industrial revolution. Their lives had been changed by economic circumstances in Scotland, and by taking advantage of the Victorian Selection Acts, they achieved economic security while contributing to the development of the area. This thesis positions land as central to the economic and social development of this area. It was a remote, geographically isolated area where communication and climate challenges had defeated many. Using a documentary historical methodology, it examines the impact of each wave of Europeans, explorers, squatters, miners, and selectors on the land, with the corresponding dispossession of Aboriginal people, revealing the agency of those Aboriginal people in their responses, as well as the resilience of the settlers. Land records and demographic data have been used extensively to chart the land holdings and businesses of selected Scottish family members, positioning their place in the developing society, as community centres and activities flourished in response to a secure and growing population. As part of the Scottish diaspora in Australia, it highlights some of the qualities they brought with them to their new environment; it demonstrates the resilience people could bring to challenging circumstances; and it reveals the wealth of creative opportunities that grew and were encouraged, when limited communication to the outside world demanded a call on their own resources. The study also uncovers questions for further research, amongst them: a more detailed investigation of the role of newspapers, which are the primary source of historical information available; and the role played by women in building and supporting families even through crises, and whose records are buried in personal family records or diminished in newspaper stories.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Statistical assessment of Australian bushfire conditions : long-term changes and variability
- Authors: Biswas, Soubhik
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: In the wake of increasing bushfire impacts in recent decades across the Australian landscape, questions arise regarding the role played by weather conditions, climate variability and long-term climate change. This thesis seeks to quantify the following components that can influence fire risk: (1) the effects of weather and mean climate conditions, (2) large-scale drivers of natural climate variability, (3) the influence of extreme weather events and (4) the contribution of long-term anthropogenic climate change. Bushfire risks associated with weather and climate factors in Australia are generally assessed using indices such as the Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI). The FFDI is used in this study, calculated from daily values of rainfall, relative humidity, temperature and wind speed, providing a generalised approach for combining those four weather factors known to influence fire behaviour. This study also aims to fill several knowledge gaps in the literature. For example, a comprehensive study of climatology, variability and trends in Australia's fire weather conditions was never attempted before using a high-resolution and a very long-term fire weather dataset. The fire weather conditions were analysed using a long-term FFDI dataset constructed from 20th Century reanalysis climatic data with bias correction applied because reconstructed weather datasets like 20th Century reanalysis products often show systemic biases. Various statistical bias correction approaches based on quantile-quantile matching were compared, and a spline-based method was selected due to its higher precision in correcting a distribution for the purposes of this study. The relationship of this calibrated FFDI dataset with the climate drivers of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) was analysed. Results are mapped to show the regional and seasonal fluctuations in the severe fire weather across Australia during different combinations of ENSO, IOD, and SAM phases. During the austral spring and summer seasons, the highest frequency of severe fire weather conditions occurred for the combination of positive ENSO (i.e., El Nino), positive IOD and negative SAM. The calibrated FFDI dataset derived from bias-corrected Twentieth Century Reanalysis data was further used to study the long-term climate change trends in Australian fire weather conditions. A general positive trend in the number of extreme FFDI days was reported across Australia, except for New South Wales in Spring where a statistically non-significant negative trend was observed. Temperature and relative humidity were found to be the most critical climatic variables influencing fire weather trends across the country, noting that relative humidity is partly based on temperature. The applications of this work range from being useful for various stakeholders in framing new climate change adaptation policies to being used for seasonal outlooks and planning by fire management teams.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Biswas, Soubhik
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: In the wake of increasing bushfire impacts in recent decades across the Australian landscape, questions arise regarding the role played by weather conditions, climate variability and long-term climate change. This thesis seeks to quantify the following components that can influence fire risk: (1) the effects of weather and mean climate conditions, (2) large-scale drivers of natural climate variability, (3) the influence of extreme weather events and (4) the contribution of long-term anthropogenic climate change. Bushfire risks associated with weather and climate factors in Australia are generally assessed using indices such as the Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI). The FFDI is used in this study, calculated from daily values of rainfall, relative humidity, temperature and wind speed, providing a generalised approach for combining those four weather factors known to influence fire behaviour. This study also aims to fill several knowledge gaps in the literature. For example, a comprehensive study of climatology, variability and trends in Australia's fire weather conditions was never attempted before using a high-resolution and a very long-term fire weather dataset. The fire weather conditions were analysed using a long-term FFDI dataset constructed from 20th Century reanalysis climatic data with bias correction applied because reconstructed weather datasets like 20th Century reanalysis products often show systemic biases. Various statistical bias correction approaches based on quantile-quantile matching were compared, and a spline-based method was selected due to its higher precision in correcting a distribution for the purposes of this study. The relationship of this calibrated FFDI dataset with the climate drivers of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) was analysed. Results are mapped to show the regional and seasonal fluctuations in the severe fire weather across Australia during different combinations of ENSO, IOD, and SAM phases. During the austral spring and summer seasons, the highest frequency of severe fire weather conditions occurred for the combination of positive ENSO (i.e., El Nino), positive IOD and negative SAM. The calibrated FFDI dataset derived from bias-corrected Twentieth Century Reanalysis data was further used to study the long-term climate change trends in Australian fire weather conditions. A general positive trend in the number of extreme FFDI days was reported across Australia, except for New South Wales in Spring where a statistically non-significant negative trend was observed. Temperature and relative humidity were found to be the most critical climatic variables influencing fire weather trends across the country, noting that relative humidity is partly based on temperature. The applications of this work range from being useful for various stakeholders in framing new climate change adaptation policies to being used for seasonal outlooks and planning by fire management teams.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Superannuation in Australia : a mixed methods study into engagement of superannuants
- Authors: Clinton, Teresa
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Compulsory superannuation is a significant component of the Australian Government’s strategy to encourage citizens to take responsibility for funding their retirement. This project extends current knowledge regarding superannuants financial literacy and their preparedness to engage in the decision process that is embodied in the main communication document received from superannuation funds: the benefit statement. The purpose of this study involved two research questions. The first asked: What are the characteristics and determinants of a benefit statement as a form of financial communication to superannuants? The study aimed to determine if the benefit statement is fit for purpose and involved an examination of industry benefit statements. Institutional Theory was used to explain why benefit statements take their current form. The second research question considers to what extent superannuants understand and engage with the benefit statement? A survey of academics working at Australian public universities was undertaken to explore their financial literacy, understanding and extent of engagement they have with their superannuation via the benefit statement. The OECD/NIFE (2018, p. 4) definition of financial literacy was used for this research study as it incorporates “a combination of awareness, knowledge, skill, attitude and behaviour necessary to make sound financial decisions and ultimately achieve individual financial wellbeing”. The Theory of Planned Behaviour provides an explanation and a greater understanding of attitude and behaviour between demographics for example, age, gender, and education level that contribute to engagement with superannuation. A content analysis was used for research question 1, and found that due to legalisation requirements, a similar format has been adopted by most funds. There was however a lack of information which would allow superannuants the ability to track their preparedness for the amount required to fund retirement. With regard to the second research question, the results from the high socioeconomic group revealed that engagement with superannuation is not reflected by gender or education but rather age approaching retirement. As retirement approaches engagement increases. The attitude of participants towards superannuation was positive with most displaying high levels of self-efficacy however, a pre- and post-survey self-evaluation of financial literacy questions revealed a statistically significant decrease in scores indicating survey respondents were not actually aware of their lack of understanding of superannuation. The combined results from the survey and the content analysis indicate that the quality of disclosure is not sufficient to influence superannuants’ active engagement with their superannuation. This study highlights that engagement with superannuation is driven by personal circumstances and individual differences and the benefit statement needs to be more personally relevant to a broader range of individuals to encourage engagement with retirement planning. The findings help to understand heterogeneity in individuals’ propensity to engage with superannuation and provide an insight into their attitudes and behaviour. The research offers a contribution to the literature on superannuation fund benefit statement disclosure practices and provides an insight for policymakers on the effect these statements they have on superannuants.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Clinton, Teresa
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Compulsory superannuation is a significant component of the Australian Government’s strategy to encourage citizens to take responsibility for funding their retirement. This project extends current knowledge regarding superannuants financial literacy and their preparedness to engage in the decision process that is embodied in the main communication document received from superannuation funds: the benefit statement. The purpose of this study involved two research questions. The first asked: What are the characteristics and determinants of a benefit statement as a form of financial communication to superannuants? The study aimed to determine if the benefit statement is fit for purpose and involved an examination of industry benefit statements. Institutional Theory was used to explain why benefit statements take their current form. The second research question considers to what extent superannuants understand and engage with the benefit statement? A survey of academics working at Australian public universities was undertaken to explore their financial literacy, understanding and extent of engagement they have with their superannuation via the benefit statement. The OECD/NIFE (2018, p. 4) definition of financial literacy was used for this research study as it incorporates “a combination of awareness, knowledge, skill, attitude and behaviour necessary to make sound financial decisions and ultimately achieve individual financial wellbeing”. The Theory of Planned Behaviour provides an explanation and a greater understanding of attitude and behaviour between demographics for example, age, gender, and education level that contribute to engagement with superannuation. A content analysis was used for research question 1, and found that due to legalisation requirements, a similar format has been adopted by most funds. There was however a lack of information which would allow superannuants the ability to track their preparedness for the amount required to fund retirement. With regard to the second research question, the results from the high socioeconomic group revealed that engagement with superannuation is not reflected by gender or education but rather age approaching retirement. As retirement approaches engagement increases. The attitude of participants towards superannuation was positive with most displaying high levels of self-efficacy however, a pre- and post-survey self-evaluation of financial literacy questions revealed a statistically significant decrease in scores indicating survey respondents were not actually aware of their lack of understanding of superannuation. The combined results from the survey and the content analysis indicate that the quality of disclosure is not sufficient to influence superannuants’ active engagement with their superannuation. This study highlights that engagement with superannuation is driven by personal circumstances and individual differences and the benefit statement needs to be more personally relevant to a broader range of individuals to encourage engagement with retirement planning. The findings help to understand heterogeneity in individuals’ propensity to engage with superannuation and provide an insight into their attitudes and behaviour. The research offers a contribution to the literature on superannuation fund benefit statement disclosure practices and provides an insight for policymakers on the effect these statements they have on superannuants.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The Glovers : a settler family in Van Diemen’s land
- Authors: Hodson, Susan
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis explores the experiences of the members of the Glover family, who migrated to Van Diemen’s Land in two parties. The first party consisted of the three sons of John Glover, the colonial painter (one accompanied by an English wife), who arrived in 1829; the second party, which included John Glover himself, arrived in 1831. This thesis explores the Glovers’ attempts to begin new lives as farmers after receiving free land grants from the colonial government, employing convict servants assigned to them. The Glover family members were witnesses to the late stages of the Black Wars. John Glover Senior’s arrival was after the Black Line offensive in 1830, but he sought out members of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community. He had contact with both proponents and antagonists of the Black Wars. Employing the methodology of documentary archival research, I investigated the historical background to the experiences of the Glovers, where I examined the issues of land grants, convict labour, the gender spike, and the Black Wars. This thesis includes an appraisal of the perseverance of the Glovers during the prolonged economic depression in the decade of the 1840s in Van Diemen’s Land, with John Glover Senior dying in 1849. Several changes introduced in 1840, including increased convict transportation to Van Diemen’s Land and a change in convict policy to the Probation system, led to hardship in the community. The history of the 1840s decade in Van Diemen’s Land has been relatively neglected. It had, however, been a decade of struggle until the economic recovery in the 1850s. John Glover’s artwork reflected his attitude towards his new home at Patterdale. He had been comfortable in this landscape and had developed a sense of belonging. His paintings, with their wide horizons and being flooded with sunlight, were unmistakably Australian. While his paintings had not been valued during his lifetime, they are now being appreciated for their skilful depiction of early colonial Australia.
- Description: Masters by Research
- Authors: Hodson, Susan
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis explores the experiences of the members of the Glover family, who migrated to Van Diemen’s Land in two parties. The first party consisted of the three sons of John Glover, the colonial painter (one accompanied by an English wife), who arrived in 1829; the second party, which included John Glover himself, arrived in 1831. This thesis explores the Glovers’ attempts to begin new lives as farmers after receiving free land grants from the colonial government, employing convict servants assigned to them. The Glover family members were witnesses to the late stages of the Black Wars. John Glover Senior’s arrival was after the Black Line offensive in 1830, but he sought out members of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community. He had contact with both proponents and antagonists of the Black Wars. Employing the methodology of documentary archival research, I investigated the historical background to the experiences of the Glovers, where I examined the issues of land grants, convict labour, the gender spike, and the Black Wars. This thesis includes an appraisal of the perseverance of the Glovers during the prolonged economic depression in the decade of the 1840s in Van Diemen’s Land, with John Glover Senior dying in 1849. Several changes introduced in 1840, including increased convict transportation to Van Diemen’s Land and a change in convict policy to the Probation system, led to hardship in the community. The history of the 1840s decade in Van Diemen’s Land has been relatively neglected. It had, however, been a decade of struggle until the economic recovery in the 1850s. John Glover’s artwork reflected his attitude towards his new home at Patterdale. He had been comfortable in this landscape and had developed a sense of belonging. His paintings, with their wide horizons and being flooded with sunlight, were unmistakably Australian. While his paintings had not been valued during his lifetime, they are now being appreciated for their skilful depiction of early colonial Australia.
- Description: Masters by Research
Tropical cyclone prediction for the Solomon Islands region
- Authors: Haruhiru, Alick
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Tropical cyclones (TCs) are among the costliest natural disasters impacting the Solomon Islands in the southwest Pacific due to its high vulnerability and low adaptive capacity to the hazard. Strong winds coupled with heavy rainfall often have devastating consequences on life and property. Occurrence of TCs in the Solomon Islands region – defined here as 5°–15°S and 155°–170°E – have large year-to-year variability over the period 1970-2019, ranging from TC numbers as low as zero to up to eight in some years. Geographically, the region spans the spatial phase change of the major climatic driver in the South Pacific, the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and so the year-to-year variability of TCs here do not have any defined pattern. This creates a ‘predictability barrier’ for seasonal (and even sub-seasonal) prediction of TCs in the region. To circumvent the issue of TC predictability in the Solomon Islands region, I first objectively defined the total observed TCs into three specific clusters. Cluster-specific TCs showed improved patterns of variability with respect to natural modes of climate variability such as ENSO, the Madden Julian Oscillations (MJO) and Interdecadal Pacific Oscillations (IPO). I then developed sophisticated statistical prediction models for TCs in each cluster at seasonal and sub-seasonal timescales using ENSO, the MJO and IPO as main predictors. Overall, the results showed enhanced predictability skills of TCs up to several months in advance compared with methods that are currently being used by the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service. It is anticipated that improved seasonal and sub-seasonal predictions of TCs at various timescales can help disaster management agencies in the Solomon Islands with appropriate plannings and decision-making to lessen risks associated with TC events.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Haruhiru, Alick
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Tropical cyclones (TCs) are among the costliest natural disasters impacting the Solomon Islands in the southwest Pacific due to its high vulnerability and low adaptive capacity to the hazard. Strong winds coupled with heavy rainfall often have devastating consequences on life and property. Occurrence of TCs in the Solomon Islands region – defined here as 5°–15°S and 155°–170°E – have large year-to-year variability over the period 1970-2019, ranging from TC numbers as low as zero to up to eight in some years. Geographically, the region spans the spatial phase change of the major climatic driver in the South Pacific, the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and so the year-to-year variability of TCs here do not have any defined pattern. This creates a ‘predictability barrier’ for seasonal (and even sub-seasonal) prediction of TCs in the region. To circumvent the issue of TC predictability in the Solomon Islands region, I first objectively defined the total observed TCs into three specific clusters. Cluster-specific TCs showed improved patterns of variability with respect to natural modes of climate variability such as ENSO, the Madden Julian Oscillations (MJO) and Interdecadal Pacific Oscillations (IPO). I then developed sophisticated statistical prediction models for TCs in each cluster at seasonal and sub-seasonal timescales using ENSO, the MJO and IPO as main predictors. Overall, the results showed enhanced predictability skills of TCs up to several months in advance compared with methods that are currently being used by the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service. It is anticipated that improved seasonal and sub-seasonal predictions of TCs at various timescales can help disaster management agencies in the Solomon Islands with appropriate plannings and decision-making to lessen risks associated with TC events.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Vulnerability modelling and mitigation strategies for hybrid networks
- Authors: Ur-Rehman, Attiq
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Hybrid networks nowadays consist of traditional IT components, Internet of Things (IoT) and industrial control systems (ICS) nodes with varying characteristics, making them genuinely heterogeneous in nature. Historically evolving from traditional internet-enabled IT servers, hybrid networks allow organisations to strengthen cybersecurity, increase flexibility, improve efficiency, enhance reliability, boost remote connectivity and easy management. Though hybrid networks offer significant benefits from business and operational perspectives, this integration has increased the complexity and security challenges to all connected nodes. The IT servers of these hybrid networks are high-budget devices with tremendous processing power and significant storage capacity. In contrast, IoT nodes are low-cost devices with limited processing power and capacity. In addition, the ICS nodes are programmed for dedicated functions with the least interference. The available cybersecurity solutions for hybrid networks are either for specific node types or address particular weaknesses. Due to these distinct characteristics, these solutions may place other nodes in vulnerable positions. This study addresses this gap by proposing a comprehensive vulnerability modelling and mitigation strategy. This proposed solution equally applies to each node type of hybrid network while considering their unique characteristics. For this purpose, the industry-wide adoption of the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) has been extended to embed the distinct characteristics of each node type in a hybrid network. To embed IoT features, the ‘attack vectors’ and ‘attack complexity vectors’ are modified and another metric “human safety index”, is integrated in the ‘Base metric group’ of CVSS. In addition, the ICS related characteristics are included in the ‘Environmental metric group’ of CVSS. This metric group is further enhanced to reflect the node resilience capabilities when evaluating the vulnerability score. The resilience of a node is evaluated by analysing the complex relationship of numerous contributing cyber security factors and practices. The evolved CVSSR-IoT-ICS framework proposed in the thesis measures the given vulnerabilities by adopting the unique dynamics of each node. These vulnerability scores are then mapped in the attack tree to reveal the critical nodes and shortest path to the target node. The mitigating strategy framework suggests the most efficient mitigation strategy to counter vulnerabilities by examining the node’s functionality, its locality, centrality, criticality, cascading impacts, available resources, and performance thresholds. Various case studies were conducted to analyse and evaluate our proposed vulnerability modelling and mitigation strategies on realistic supply chain systems. These analyses and evaluations confirm that the proposed solutions are highly effective for modelling the vulnerabilities while the mitigation strategies reduce the risks in dynamic and resource-constrained environments. The unified vulnerability modelling of hybrid networks minimises ambiguities, reduces complexities and identifies hidden deficiencies. It also improves system reliability and performance of heterogeneous networks while at the same time gaining acceptance for a universal vulnerability modelling framework across the cyber industry. The contributions have been published in reputable journals and conferences.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Ur-Rehman, Attiq
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Hybrid networks nowadays consist of traditional IT components, Internet of Things (IoT) and industrial control systems (ICS) nodes with varying characteristics, making them genuinely heterogeneous in nature. Historically evolving from traditional internet-enabled IT servers, hybrid networks allow organisations to strengthen cybersecurity, increase flexibility, improve efficiency, enhance reliability, boost remote connectivity and easy management. Though hybrid networks offer significant benefits from business and operational perspectives, this integration has increased the complexity and security challenges to all connected nodes. The IT servers of these hybrid networks are high-budget devices with tremendous processing power and significant storage capacity. In contrast, IoT nodes are low-cost devices with limited processing power and capacity. In addition, the ICS nodes are programmed for dedicated functions with the least interference. The available cybersecurity solutions for hybrid networks are either for specific node types or address particular weaknesses. Due to these distinct characteristics, these solutions may place other nodes in vulnerable positions. This study addresses this gap by proposing a comprehensive vulnerability modelling and mitigation strategy. This proposed solution equally applies to each node type of hybrid network while considering their unique characteristics. For this purpose, the industry-wide adoption of the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) has been extended to embed the distinct characteristics of each node type in a hybrid network. To embed IoT features, the ‘attack vectors’ and ‘attack complexity vectors’ are modified and another metric “human safety index”, is integrated in the ‘Base metric group’ of CVSS. In addition, the ICS related characteristics are included in the ‘Environmental metric group’ of CVSS. This metric group is further enhanced to reflect the node resilience capabilities when evaluating the vulnerability score. The resilience of a node is evaluated by analysing the complex relationship of numerous contributing cyber security factors and practices. The evolved CVSSR-IoT-ICS framework proposed in the thesis measures the given vulnerabilities by adopting the unique dynamics of each node. These vulnerability scores are then mapped in the attack tree to reveal the critical nodes and shortest path to the target node. The mitigating strategy framework suggests the most efficient mitigation strategy to counter vulnerabilities by examining the node’s functionality, its locality, centrality, criticality, cascading impacts, available resources, and performance thresholds. Various case studies were conducted to analyse and evaluate our proposed vulnerability modelling and mitigation strategies on realistic supply chain systems. These analyses and evaluations confirm that the proposed solutions are highly effective for modelling the vulnerabilities while the mitigation strategies reduce the risks in dynamic and resource-constrained environments. The unified vulnerability modelling of hybrid networks minimises ambiguities, reduces complexities and identifies hidden deficiencies. It also improves system reliability and performance of heterogeneous networks while at the same time gaining acceptance for a universal vulnerability modelling framework across the cyber industry. The contributions have been published in reputable journals and conferences.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Traces of the female self : exploring the documentation of women’s art through traces, impressions, residues and self-portraiture via contemporary art practice
- Authors: Janetzki, Georgia
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: Women have always been present as artists, but not necessarily included within the canon of Western art history. Studying the canon is an accepted way of understanding the context of what has gone before, and in turn positioning ourselves within contemporary art practices and theories. However there is a disconnect when most of the individuals within the canon are nothing like us. Self-portraiture can be an embodied methodology, a starting point for an investigation that goes beyond oneself. Addressing the personal through my art practice also addresses a wider community of female artists. Through a studio-based investigation I have asked: What can visual art’s inherent capacity for generating and capturing traces, residues and impressions express in a material and conceptual way to explore self-identity and contribute to the current discourse about women artists’ history? How can these themes be visually expressed in new ways through contemporary selfportraiture, addressing absence and perspective in the documentation of women’s art? I explore these questions through experimental methods of making self-portraits. This research project considers the personal, examining representation of the self as an ontological enquiry into the roles of making and being. As a practice-led study, I pursue this line of enquiry as a means for exploring current structures of power, through a new body of work aimed at further informing Australian women’s art practice and its history.
- Description: Masters by Research
- Authors: Janetzki, Georgia
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: Women have always been present as artists, but not necessarily included within the canon of Western art history. Studying the canon is an accepted way of understanding the context of what has gone before, and in turn positioning ourselves within contemporary art practices and theories. However there is a disconnect when most of the individuals within the canon are nothing like us. Self-portraiture can be an embodied methodology, a starting point for an investigation that goes beyond oneself. Addressing the personal through my art practice also addresses a wider community of female artists. Through a studio-based investigation I have asked: What can visual art’s inherent capacity for generating and capturing traces, residues and impressions express in a material and conceptual way to explore self-identity and contribute to the current discourse about women artists’ history? How can these themes be visually expressed in new ways through contemporary selfportraiture, addressing absence and perspective in the documentation of women’s art? I explore these questions through experimental methods of making self-portraits. This research project considers the personal, examining representation of the self as an ontological enquiry into the roles of making and being. As a practice-led study, I pursue this line of enquiry as a means for exploring current structures of power, through a new body of work aimed at further informing Australian women’s art practice and its history.
- Description: Masters by Research