Unconventional material practice in art education at Kyambogo University: Encouraging student teachers to embrace innovative approaches towards studio practice

Abstract

The study was carried out under a purpose; to carry out studio experimentation with selected unconventional media from environment to create designs and positively empower learners towards innovative studio practice. It was sought to inspire student teachers into appreciation and use unconventional materials which are cheap, unique in their studio practice under Art education to solve problem of insufficient materials for studio practice as a component of Art education. The study was guided by three objectives which were derived from the study purpose; (a) to identify different unconventional materials that have been used in studio practice to create art works, (b) to establish attributes of Art education that can guide student teachers while exploring with unconventional materials in studio practice and (c) to experiment with selected unconventional materials to produce art works in Studio practice. I used mixed methods approaches that is to say participatory action research and experimentation to cater for the collaborative Studio practice. Indigenous, modern and contemporary knowledge was considered in concept development. I worked with student teachers pursuing Bachelor of Vocational studies in Art and Design with Education (BVAD) year one in the Department of Art and Industrial Design Kyambogo University. Other interested parties that is to say lecturers, technicians and commercial artists also participated in this study as advisers and informants due to their experience. Key attributes of Art education used in studio practice such as principles and elements of design in consideration of aesthetics and ergonomics where discussed and employed in the studio experimentation process. The findings proved unconventional materials as potential substitutes for conventional materials and an approach that can be considered to experiment with new unconventional media was suggested and proved positive. Students’ attitude towards unconventional materials.