Research Interests - John Renshaw

Associated research interests are situated at an interface between pedagogy and aspects of Fine Art practice – particularly drawing

Painting and drawing, informed by the legacies of modernism, have become a site for the collision of visual experiences and discovered meanings. Continuing reflection on the strategies employed during their origination suggests not only a continual revision of recurring visual issues but testify to the significance of intuition, memory, identity and the fragility of style. Formal concerns are matched against paintings unique and traditional function as a means of picturing. This paradox serves as a focus for development within established conventions - paintings as a window on the world, and paintings as objects in the world. The paintings and drawings may stand as metaphors and analogies for experience, or serve as a catalyst, stimulating memories, unexpected associations, correspondences or potential narratives. The process inevitably promotes ‘conversations’ with art of the recent and distant past.

Work in the studio, and personal research has constantly been informed by working with students. The means by which they give form to their ideas through processes and materials and their response to the world (particularly to visual experience) continues to stimulate and benefit my enquiries. 

“Linking Disciplinary Research to Teaching”: March 200: John Renshaw and Daniel Boetker-Smith participated in a research project initiated by The Higher Education Academy. The Universities of Chester, Bolton, Central Lancashire, Manchester Metropolitan and Cumbria Institute of the Arts came together to form the North West Network Group to undertake a  project based on the Higher Education Academy Support for New Academic Staff  (SNAS) Strand 3 project “Linking Disciplinary Research to Teaching”. March 2007: See: http://www.adm.heacademy.ac.uk/projects/adm-hea-projects/snas-nw-network