Introspection as the catalyst towards creative questioning and articulation of the self : a personal exploration of the human psyche through multimedia practices

Abstract

This dissertation is my attempt to merge my artistic ethos with my enduring interest in psychology, I have been deeply engrossed in both of these subjects since I first learned how to reflect and hold a pencil in my hand. The research, words, and meditations found here are a result of years of thought and will ceaselessly continue to develop and inspire me for years to come. The writing for this chapter was meant to start in June 2021, however, due to my tendency to feel overwhelmed (this hinders my ability to plan and organise my thoughts), I managed to focus and start writing in November 2022. Initially, I carried out extensive research on the various aspects I chose to focus on, from literature to artists of reference, especially artists who have worked on similar concepts. What was most difficult for me was to narrow down the information I had collected in order to maintain structure to my thoughts and ideas. Since the subjects I have chosen to focus on have been long-time passions of mine, the research period was an incredibly interesting experience. With regards to the psychological theories, I have avidly read about the topic since my teenage years, therefore, I felt familiar with the research material and was able to easily expand my knowledge with new information. Throughout the past few months, I have realised that my intrinsic motivation towards art is based on the therapeutic effect of the creative process. In addition, the themes that I am inspired by and gravitate towards creating are generally related to the expression of my inner self rather than the world around me. I have found that my inner self is expressed organically and intuitively; and the space where I feel the most freedom to create without the hindrance of perfectionism is the artistic journal. I was first introduced to the importance of the artistic journal at MCAST Institute for the Creative Arts, albeit I refused the idea for a while before I eventually started to enjoy it. The journal quickly became a safe space for me to shed some of my perfectionist tendencies, and experiment with various mediums and techniques in order to develop my artistic style. Since then, I have created a substantial amount of work in my journals, more so than “finished” art works. In addition, my experience of the previous two years at the University of Malta, reading for a Bachelors in Fine Arts with Psychology, has taught me how to develop concepts for projects, and to question the meaning behind every technique and medium I use, and every image I create. I have also been selected for two emerging artist programmes, the first was the “Spring programme” at Gabriel Caruana Foundation for a collective exhibition in February 2022, and the second was for my first solo exhibition at Blitz in January 2023. Working with two curators, Elyse Tonna and Sara Dolfi Agostini, was a beneficial opportunity for me to collaborate, explore, and expand various possibilities of concept development and visual presentation. The exhibitions have allowed me to explore my interest in the visual journal and adapt the idea to the different spaces. Due to my increasing sentiment for the multi-faceted, expressive quality of the artistic journal, I have devoted the practical aspect of my dissertation to create an artistic journal as the final work. My objective is to continue to develop knowledge and experience with book-binding techniques, and to dedicate further time to create and write, in aspiration to evolve the book until it has reached the point where I feel that it is ready. This indubitably allows me to revisit, expand and evolve the book as time goes by, and as I continue discover other parts of me.