What does drawing do? An interrogation of the transformative powers of drawing as a feminist practice

Lucas, Emily

Abstract

This thesis examines what drawing can do as a feminist act. It seeks to expand the borders of contemporary drawing practice to include, and give importance to, subjective, feminist drawings and highlight their transformative impact.

The study begins by re-positioning the autonomous practice of drawing as a critical discourse, as well as a method of artmaking. Contemporary drawing can be seen as a practice in its infancy, ideally placed at this moment within art history to be a site of potential that can take stances on outdated patriarchal hierarchies in order to affect transformative change. The literature review identifies the patriarchal dominance that needs challenging and demonstrates the necessity for new methods and terms for a feminist drawing practice.

The research methodology provides a framework for knowledge generation, which complements a feminist, embodied epistemological standpoint. The methodology recognises outcomes that allow for knowing rather than fixed knowledge, for unfinished thinking, for multiple positions to be held at once, and for thinking that can take physical feelings into account. It documents a pivotal transformation from initial interview into collaborative drawing research with one critical case study, where research takes the form of drawings as well as writing.

The third chapter demonstrates the research outcomes, in the form of transformations that can happen in studio practice for the artist, and in the dissemination of drawings for the viewer (what drawing can do). A manifesto for a feminist drawing practice is provided, including: using drawing as a practice for subjective embodiment; integrating care into all decisions; seeing drawing as play; using low-value materials; using reading of all kinds as a starting point; recognising drawing output as theoretical object; understanding that asking questions is more important than finding answers; and choosing non-binary options. Critical drawings made during the research process have been chosen as examples of autotheoretical objects that integrate the self with philosophy, in turn providing new terms for a subjective, embodied and feminist drawing practice. The resulting exhibition, houseworkwork, is documented and positioned as a further model for drawing’s ability to make transformations, whereby feminist drawings are viewed and interacted with.

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jun 27, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 22, 2024
• Keywords: Drawing, Feminism
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/12085667
• Award Date: Nov 22, 2024