Artistic expressions as primary modes of inquiry

Abstract

Art-Based Research (McNiff, 1998a) introduced the idea of using artistic expressions by researchers as ways of knowing and methods of inquiry as distinguished from approaching art made by subjects as data which are interpreted by discursive methods, a practice that has been widely used in various disciplines studying human behaviour. Popularisation of the idea of art-based research (ABR) has diverted attention from its new and distinct qualities together with the challenges they present. Examples drawn from four decades of integrate examinations of personal and empirical phenomena encourages a revisiting of social science research typologies and the training of researchers.

Keywords:

• research
• psychotherapy
• art-based research
• creative arts therapy