Fragments of existence : on death within fine art practice and its interpretation in contemporary gothic expression

Abstract

This dissertation examines studio practice-based research, which focuses on the concept of death and its image. In this type of study, the researcher is also a practitioner, who investigates his or her own art practice. The integral part of this relatively recent form of research focuses on the interplay between the researcher as practitioner-researcher and his or her artistic work in process. This interplay has been properly documented and used as research material. The concept of the study is achieved through the following four objectives: (1) The examination of my own production of artifacts and the documentation of the creative process, (2) The exploration of contemporary Gothic art expression in Malta and related artifacts, (3) The analysis of the works and the motivation of these -undergroundâ artists, and (4) The comparison of the above with my own evolution of artistic production. An in-depth analysis of the contemporary Gothic art expression and its interest in the theme of death is also presented in this study. In addition to practice-based research, this study also analyzes the source of motivation that the selected seven participants from the Gothic share.