In preparation for PgCert Workshop 2, I read hooks b. (1995), Talking art as the spirit moves us, art on my mind: visual politics.
The reading introduces me to African/American cultural critic and feminist theorist bel hooks, and the works of artists from marginal groups including: Mende art, Romare Bearden and Pat Ward Williams.
The reading documents and reflects on the reception to the artists’ works from mainstream (white majority) audiences and the lack of critical writing on African/American art, at that time.
On reflection, hooks writing opens my eyes to and raises my awareness of unconscious bias, reminding me to foster higher levels of inclusivity to create positive impacts as follows :
- Looking beyond first impressions or stereotypes
- Being aware of cultural diversity: cultural, social, age, beliefs, values, ethnicity
- Listening to and respecting all students
- Creating responsive and flexible teaching and learning programmes
- Adopting empathetic and compassionate teaching and learning methods
- Fostering a ‘community of belonging’ (hooks) in the studio environment, and beyond
- Maintaining an up-to-date ethical sensibility
I aim to continue to develop my teaching practice by embedding the above actions to grow as an educator – and as a student.
To conclude and in response to my learnings about community of belonging, I link back to drawing as a key component within my creative and educative practice.
I share image Community-building through drawing (Fig.1), this was from a warm-up/ice-breaker activity from the PgCert Induction (11 Dec 2024), where we were asked to draw a quick observation portrait of our new peers by way of introduction.
I chose to use the drawing method where you draw using a continuous line without lifting the pen off the paper and not taking your eyes off your subject.
As per previous drawing from memory observations and learnings (described in Reflective Blog Post 2), this drawing activity embodied the connections made between the physical act of drawing and memory. A positive result of which, is I still recall both that moment in time and both of my peers names – and hence the PgCert 2025 community was created from then on.
Reference
hooks b. (1995), Talking art as the spirit moves us, art on my mind: visual politics
hooks b. (1994), Teaching to transgress, education as the practice of freedom
hooks b. and Powell J.A. (2015), Belonging through connection (othering and belonging conference): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sX7fqIU4gQ
Elcoro M. (2024), Introducing bell hooks to teachers of behaviour analysis: https://science.abainternational.org/2024/02/28/introducing-bell-hooks-to-teachers-of-behavior-analysis/
Currell J, (2022), Who is bell hooks and why should a teacher read her work? https://mathsnoproblem.com/blog/teaching-practice/bell-hooks-teacher-read-work