Abstract

This book is aimed at all art practitioners, professionals and students who see their practices and identities embracing many aspects of the cultures of art, research and education. It may also be of interest to those in other fields who are concerned with identity formation and professional roles and practices. Challenging conventional wisdom about specialization and professional identity, Alan Thornton shows that many individuals have complex, varied, and evolving relationships with visual art – relationships that do not fit into any single category. Against the backdrop of an expanding research culture and current employment models in the United States and the United Kingdom – where many artists also work as teachers – he argues for the necessity of a theory that both reflects and influences practice in the realm of art and art-related work. By elucidating our current situation, Artist, Researcher, Teacher opens the door to much-needed new approaches, and provides fresh insights for those interested in identity formation and professional roles and practices.