Sequestered elements
department or school: Creative and Critical Studies, Faculty of (Okanagan)
data provider: DSpace
degree campus: UBCO
creator: Fowler, Joseph
issued: 2019-11-18T16:51:56Z
issued: 2019
related degree: Master of Fine Arts - MFA
degree grantor: University of British Columbia
description: This exhibition and accompanying essay explore objects of cultural significance from my home, the island of Newfoundland. The objects and my connection to them have inspired both my approach to installation and materials. Growing up and living in Newfoundland for most of my life has shaped my artistic output in ways I continue to discover, not just in terms of subject matter but also in the act of making my art work. I see my artistic practice as one that expands on the rich tradition of creating things â tools, furniture, shelter, vehicles â from whatever is lying around. This traditional way of making objects is inextricably linked to Newfoundlandâs identity, as a place that celebrates resourcefulness in the face of scarcity. Lobster traps, fishing nets, small houses, anchors, boats, warm clothes, rubber boots â these are some of human-made objects that dominate Newfoundlandâs visual imagery. In my sculptural work I recreate and reflect on these objects as part of my cultural identity. I change their contexts by modifying their materials and introducing contemporary mass-consumer objects into their traditional forms. In this process the objects reveal their origins and layered complex meanings. I have chosen fishing nets, lobster traps, killicks, and ugly sticks as a point of departure in this exploration. These objects are often proudly displayed in front yards, homes, sheds, gift shops, and restaurants as part of the visual culture and environment. They have many functions; they are practical and often related to economic and industrial purposes but they also function as displays and decorations denoting a region and a people, providing a physical embodiment of culture. Newfoundland has a unique culture of creativity which is present in these objects and embodies a distinct cultural aesthetic.
aggregated CHO: https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/72301
note: Sequestered Elements by Joseph Fowler B.F.A., Memorial University Grenfell Campus, 2013 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF FINE ARTS in THE COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES (Visual Arts) THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Okanagan) November 2019 © Joseph Fowler, 2019 ii The following individuals certify that they have read, and recommend to the College of Graduate Studies for acceptance, a thesis/dissertation entitled: Sequestered Elements submitted by Joseph Fowler in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Fine Arts . Stephen Foster and Samuel Roy-Bois Supervisor Myron Campbell Supervisory Committee Member Briar Craig Supervisory Committee Member Christine Schreyer University Examiner ii Abstract This exhibition and accompanying essay explore objects of cultural significance from my home, the island of Newfoundland. The objects and my connection to them have inspired both my approach to installation and materials. Growing up and living in Newfoundland for most of my life has shaped my artistic output in ways I continue to discover, not just in terms of subject matter but also in the act of making my art work. I see my artistic practice as one that expands on the rich tradition of creating things â tools, furniture, shelter, vehicles â from whatever is lying around. This traditional way of making objects is inextricably linked to Newfoundlandâs identity, as a place that celebrates resourcefulness in the face of scarcity. Lobster traps, fishing nets, small houses, anchors, boats, warm clothes, rubber boots â these are some of human-made objects that dominate Newfoundlandâs visual imagery. In my sculptural work I recreate and reflect on these objects as part of my cultural identity. I change their contexts by modifying their materials and introducing contemporary mass-consumer objects into their traditional forms. In this process the objects reveal their origins and layered complex meaning…
has type: Thesis/Dissertation
date issued: 2019-11
is shown at: 10.14288/1.0385527
language: eng
degree discipline: Visual Arts
provider: Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
publisher: University of British Columbia
rights: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
rights URI: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
scholar level: Graduate
type: Text
type: Moving Image
identifier URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/72301