Richard Keating Artist

PhD Archive

Welcome to the Phd Blog

Keeping the blog was an important thread in weaving the research, the drawing practice and community facilitation. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy was awarded by the University of Wales Trinity St. David in 2018.

Abstract

The research considers why aesthetics, the subjective ways in which we
experience and value places, and nature’s agency are not readily included in
decision-making processes. This action research adopts a hopeful, participatory
and auto-ethnographic inquiry into the potential for developing and applying a
relational and environmental walking-art practice to overcome this disconnect; an
approach which attempts to reconnect art and life, cultural and natural systems.
Metaphor is used as a method to reflect upon an emergent art practice. The
research considers Felix Guattari’s ideas of transversality, developing an ethicoaesthetic paradigm as a critical framework, taking into account the work of relevant
practitioners and specifically Grant Kester’s arguments concerning reciprocal
creative labour. The framework is developed through a weaving metaphor and
applied to three community-led land-use change case studies; a canal restoration
project, caring for a community woodland and Landscape Character Assessment.
The weaving metaphor becomes both a process and an art work capable of
revealing and helping to incorporate subjectivity into traditionally objective
decision-making processes. As well as facilitating community-wide dialogue, the
research has, in some cases, lead to action being taken alongside nature’s
agency.
The research evaluates the transformation of the art practice and its impact, which
suggests the positive agency of art as a practical aesthetic in a social and
environmental context.

The thesis can be read here:
https://repository.uwtsd.ac.uk/id/eprint/1311/13/Keating%20R%20Landscape%20final.pdf#:~:text=As%20a%20part%20of%20post,with%20people%20in%20the%20Stroud

  • thesis, Norway, Stroud Nature

    13th to 16th

    meeting with Kel Portman to begin making drawings as part of Norwegian Walking Assemblage.

    Thesis coming on slowly – still not sure where boundaries between chapters fall – writing it changes it.

  • Thesis, Stroud Nature and Museum Box

    6th to 11th May – writing chapters 1 and 2.

    Meeting with Steve Roberts to plan feedback from Spring Green Conference and Networking event.

    Helped Suze Adams, Jackie Storey and Michele Whiting install Museum Box exhibition at Museum in the Park.

  • River Walking exhibition and Walk

    Community Discussion event, with Kel Portman, Ahrabella Lewes and Lucy Guenot, exhibition up and down plus two walks, all within 24 hours – guerrilla gallery. Not many people though. Some good comments about the Settled Valleys.

  • First Friday Walk and setting-up exhibition

    First Friday Walk along Canal/River corridor and up to Rodborough Common. Pilot for Saturday’s walk.

    Set-up exhibition in Brewery with Kel Portman, Lucy Guenot and Arabella Lewes and David Moss

  • River, thesis, Folly Wood

    28th, 29th, 30th, 31st, 1st and 2nd – preparing for exhibition. Meeting with Fiona Meadley re.video, shopping to buy materials for video both, picking-up prints, meeting with Kel, meeting with Lucy re. settled valley map.

    1st May – Folly Wood, Good From Woods research meeting

    Evolving chapters 1 and 2

    and oh yes – Nel arrives to create chaos… photo by Tom Keating

  • Vision 21

    meeting with Joolz Bennett, Glenn Hall, Alison Parfitt, Sue Porter ; no particular agenda, more free ranging comparison of experiences of sustainability.

  • River, Thesis, Stroud Nature, Folly Wood

    16th. Meeting with Kel Portman, Lucy Guenot and Tara Downs going through SDF project plan and preparing work for brewery exhibition…
    17th to 26th
    printing people’s photos and drawings, preparing texts, delivering fliers for River.

    18th and 24th – Folly Wood:- Good from Woods meeting with Alice Goodenough, Seb Buckton, Ali Coles and Jackie Rowanly – planning research

    Thesis – writing chapters 1 and 2

  • Spring Green Conference

    well attended and supported event.

    Support for further networking and collaborative projects.

  • Tutorial

    Tutorial with Dr. Robert Newell – annual monitoring, revised timetable, additional ethical considerations.

  • Stroud Nature, Watery Landscapes,

    9/10/11 finalising Spring Green Festival – meeting with Abigail in Museum, meeting with BBC, Final amends to Watery Landscape article.

    Thesis – writing with Guattari quote as a riddle challenge.