An archaeology of self

The title of this dissertation is An Archaeology of Self. The first two chapters explore the historical and theoretical basis that has informed my creative work. It is predominantly concerned with artists who engage with the everyday in their art-making. The three main ideas elaborated upon in the body of the text are; the notion of mark making and trace as able to invoke the corporeal presence of the artists; the inclusion of quotidian objects and routines as subject matter within art that recontextualises them as worthy of attention; and the extent to which the representation or use of material objects, traces and leavings can retain significant meaning. The latter is explored in reference to artists who use an archaeological methodology in their work. An underlying theme in both practical and theoretical research is the concept of indexical trace that invokes the presence of its referent while paradoxically signalling its absence. The concluding chapters deal with my methodology and the processes of collection used in arriving at the works presented for examination.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Michaelis School of Fine Art

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Cilliers, Ryna

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Younge, Gavin

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11723

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/11723