My research explores the potential engagement between digital craft practice and archaeology, focusing particularly on the unique role craft can play in the communication of finds to the public. Archaeology strives to bridge the gap between past and present (Renfrew 2003), thus a key issue for the discipline is to improve the type and quality of communication to public audiences by seeking new ways of interpreting and expressing finds to expand knowledge of human experience, (Okamura, K & Matsuda, A 2011). Craft provides an exciting yet untapped route to this communication since it maintains direct links to ancient cultures through material engagement and process (Ingold 2013). However, there is currently no data on public response to practice-led collaborations between crafts practitioners and archaeologists. There is a need to collect such data in order to develop a critical interdisciplinary model of engagement for makers, archaeologists, museums and heritage sites.
My case study is Tremough, Cornwall, chosen for its long-standing tradition of ‘making’ evidenced from archaeological excavations, providing a link between craft in the past and today. I have a unique opportunity to utilise a range of digital equipment, all housed at Tremough, alongside more traditional processes, to produce reinterpretive works based upon finds such as stone moulds, bronze jewellery and ceramic vessels.
Supervision Team: Drummond Masterton (Director of Studies) Professor Jo Sofaer (Southampton University)
email: nellie.nogland38@gmail.com
web: www.helenmartonceramics.com
Student Profiles
