At the cutting edge: an investigation into creative practice

Abstract

This paper presents a recently completed collaborative research project by Charlotte Hodes, Senior Research Fellow in Drawing at the London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London and Dr. Cathy Treadaway, Reader in Creative Practice, University of Wales Institute Cardiff and Visiting Research Fellow (Computer Science) at the University of Bath. This practice led research project: A Collaborative Investigation into the role of the Hand Craft and Digital Processes within Creative Practice was supported by an award from the Arts and Humanities Research Council in 2007-8. A case study is described which documents the creation of a body of artwork for exhibition by Hodes. The research methodology is explained and the context, for both the artwork development and the investigation, is described in the light of the artist’s on going practice using digital print and collage and Treadaway’s broader study of creativity supported by digital technology. This paper addresses the pivotal role of digital print within the working methodology of the artist and how it impacts on her creative practice. It is fully illustrated with examples of the artworks, which are considered an embodiment of the research process. The motifs used in Hodes’ paper cuts were stimulated by drawing research into historical paper dress patterns from the research archive at the London College of Fashion. The paper concludes with a discussion of the artist’s future practice based research, providing comparisons between the printing processes involved in large format digital paper printing for paper cuts and those involved in the creation of a body of ceramic artworks using ceramic transfer prints. In addition, findings are presented that illuminate the ways in which creative decision making is influenced by memory of physical experience and bodily knowledge acquired through the hands.