Artistic Research The Hons, MAFA and PhD programmes work through, and experiment with, different models of artistic research, and we work from the positionality that practice remains at the centre of the research process. Throughout the year, the programmes invite a range of creatives who are critical thinkers to run seminars and workshops that will help students think through what it means to do ‘creative research’ or to research creativity: what does it mean to make a body of creative work as part of a focused research and assessment process and what does it mean to have a studio as part of a discursive environment? Student-led sessions and peer reading-groups focus on the needs of particular postgrad groups. These sessions are voluntary (for MAFA and PhD students) but are aimed to help you think critically and support you formulating your critical research question, which underpins your practice and your dissertation. Each student is allocated a supervisor(s) and, with the guidance of a supervisor(s), formulates an unique articulation of their practice and research. Here your independently directed reading, engagement with your peers and practitioners in the field, as well as perhaps writing groups, are also essential to formulating this position. You are expected to attend exhibitions within the school and the city and keep abreast of developments in contemporary South African art, but also internationally. As this is a practice-led degree, open studios for Hons, MAFA and PhD students are an opportunity for fellow students and staff to view your ongoing practice and to critically engage and give feedback on your work. These are usually invaluable sessions and students are expected to partake in at least one per semester. We hope that this journey with us will be a personal and professionally rewarding one among staff and peers. Please read this Postgraduate Handbook in conjunction with the Faculty of Humanities ‘Application to Graduation’ Document that should have been sent to you by the postgrad coordinator. Shanti Govender, States of being?, MAFA Exhibition Installation, 2019 10
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