How a painting speaks...

My new lecture/workshop tour has begun!
What is the point of art? How do we teach it, interact with it, exhibit it, and sell it? This subject has fascinated me for years.

I delivered the opening lecture/workshop at Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery in Carlisle, last Saturday. Drawing from latest ideas within science, history, philosophy and education, we explored some of the trickier questions which tend to get in the way of our understanding of art. To make it super-fun, we did this using 'arts-based research' methods. 

Arts-based research is essentially another way of saying 'use art to explore a subject'. These methods, involving painting, drawing, and photography (but can include story-making, theatre, music and any other artform) take us on a more playful journey into a subject. They allow for unexpected outcomes and new connections; jarring stereotypes and old ways of thinking. As we start to use our imagination, we use our sense of empathy and sense of ethics. Basically, it kick-starts thinking about a subject in a really exciting way.

My next lecture/workshop will be at Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery in November http://www.tulliehouse.co.uk/events/learn-speak-clearly-through-your-art-celia-burbush. The emphasis here, is on art as your personal wellbeing tool - give yourself a relaxing outlet for your ideas and a self-reflexive activity, so you can look after yourself better. ​