Practical Theorists: An Exhibition of Year 1 Artists' Books

Creating meaningful relationships between the primacy of practice and the development of appropriate critical skills is best done by our students within what Etienne Wenger describes as communities of practice, "Members of a community of practice are practitioners. They develop a shared repertoire of resources: experiences, stories, tools, ways of understanding, ways of addressing recurring problems." (Wenger 2010)

Our course recognises that the key motivation for students is the primacy of their practice and within this students are "practical theorists" working within a community of practice made up of peers and staff, as well wider creative and professional contexts of contemporary textiles.

Together, we are exploring methods of engaging students with theoretical material in ways which allow them to individualise critically written outcomes in formats that include practical skills.

Examples of this - of bringing theory and practice into closer alignment - are currently on show in the university library. The exhibition shows artists' books created by first year students which thematically examine images and influences, signs and symbols related to chosen themes or issues in modernist art and design. Already, we are noticing that these deliberate approaches are increasing students' ability to theorise their own practice.