- Title
- Illuminating the exegesis : A discussion of the exegesis component of the creative thesis in Australian research higher degrees
- Creator
- Mann, Allan; Fletcher, Julie
- Date
- 2003
- Type
- Text; Conference paper
- Identifier
- http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/68827
- Identifier
- vital:1893
- Abstract
- Within the Australian context of research higher degrees being undertaken as ‘thesis only’ programs, the “creative thesis” model has become well established as the usual model for research higher degrees in the Visual and Creative Arts disciplines, offered by Australian Universities. The “creative thesis” model originated within Visual Arts Masters programs, and has been more recently taken up in Visual Arts PhDs, and within Masters and PhD programs in other Creative Arts areas, for example, in Performing Arts and Creative Writing programs. This model requires a research undertaking that results in the submission of a substantial and original body of creative work (for example: a public exhibition of paintings, drawings, sculptures, a novel or collection of poetry or stories of publishable quality, a play or musical performance piece, etc) accompanied by an exegesis: a scholarly commentary that supports, contextualises, and elucidates the creative research. This thesis model, of creative work plus exegesis, has emerged against a background of debate and contestation regarding art and research. The inevitable tension between ideas of 'art as research' and 'art as professional practice' has given rise to a range of debates regarding the status of art practice as research, the recognition of art practice as 'publication' equivalent, and even the appropriateness of research higher degrees in the Creative Arts. These issues have been debated throughout the 1990s, and in some areas are still being debated. In spite of this, Creative Arts research higher degrees are firmly up and running, and the 'creative thesis' is a reality. While these debates may appear to have been resolved by university policy developments that have established the 'creative work plus exegesis' model within many institutions, this paper will explore the extent to which these debates not only provide the context or background of this thesis model, but also remain reflected in the range of ways the creative thesis is handled by institutions, and in the levels of uncertainty that continue to surround the exegesis. This paper then will explore and discuss a range of practices and debates surrounding the roles, purposes and expectations of the exegesis component of the creative thesis in Australian Universities, in particular as these relate to Visual Arts higher degrees. Beyond this, however, it will attempt to negotiate a path through these diverging practices and debates, in order to demystify, clarify and illuminate the exegesis.
- Publisher
- Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, Honolulu, Hawaii. USA
- Relation
- International Conference on Arts and Humanities, January 12-15, 2003, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, Honolulu, Hawaii. USA January 12-15, 2003
- Rights
- Open Access
- Rights
- This metadata is freely available under a CCO license
- Subject
- 1905 Visual Arts and Crafts; Exegesis; Research higher degrees; Visual arts
- Full Text
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