Course summary

MA Fine Art is an opportunity to look at the familiar with a fresh, perhaps oblique perspective in order to explore how “detour” permits “access” (Jullien 2004) to more subtle yet more complex interpretations. What constitutes a meaningful and useful research methodology in one culture may be considered unknown, unnecessary or redundant in another. These differences are at the very fabric of the Fine Art course; establishing deliberate cross-cultural dialogues with students from International and UK backgrounds and providing a vehicle for highlighting differences in working practices and methodologies. Recognising the individual and their aspirations, and celebrating ideas and risk-taking, our approach and experience of encouraging inter-disciplinary and collaborative activity lies with the provision of a meaningful journey for our students beyond the obvious. What you will learn The MA Fine Art course represents an exciting opportunity for students to challenge and build on their previous achievements and to study at an advanced level. Students deepen their knowledge and their ability to focus on their chosen field in relation to the key aspects that inform it. Practice as research defines what fine art is. This course will enable you to develop your practice as an artist within a supportive, analytical and critical environment. The MA Fine Art course engages with the forefront of contemporary art practice and seeks to contribute a dynamic voice within it. You will develop a questioning mind and a new outlook to your chosen field; examining your existing position and art practice at the outset of the course and then through personal reflection and tutorial advice a structured plan of practice and research will be formulated. The Fine Art course supports you as an emerging artist who is eager to explore and confront your practice in the endeavour to redefine your position in relation to contemporary art. You will be engaged in focusing on the context for your practice, asking where it is aligned with other specialisms and exploring the importance of process and material. You are expected to be an independent thinker and be open minded to enable you to be analytical and reflective of your practice whilst incrementally increasing and deepening your thought processes as the course progresses. Whether you are aiming to exhibit in contemporary galleries, work in the public domain, engage in social art enterprise, teach art at school, college or university, go on to PhD study, this course supports you in your aspirations. You are encouraged to focus on the relevance and meaning of materials and process, the potentials of site specificity, display and the interpretation of your work by audiences. Critiques of practice and ideas are a regular feature of the Fine Art course and you are invited to provide an explication of your practice at several pivotal moments during your MA study. By the end of the course you will be able to...

• Produce a high level of individual or collaborative work that acknowledges current practices within both Fine Art and the disciplines and communities associated with it.

• Demonstrate advanced ability through making and thinking to research, investigate, describe and critique issues and situations thereby providing original insights into contemporary practice.

• Demonstrate and apply highly developed and advanced practical and conceptual understanding of materials, techniques and processes and to raise questions for further study or professional development.

• Show acquisition of appropriate skills and acumen in communication, presentation and autonomous learning in relation to career aspirations.

• Develop your practice with respect to relevant issues of sustainability, ethics and the political.