BARBARA BICKEL

Phd Student

I am currently working on a PhD in (Art) Education within Curriculum Studies at UBC where my arts-based research is focused on a collaborative study with women spiritual leaders who work with their communities as agents of spiritual growth and transformation. I completed an MA in Education through the Centre for Cross Faculty Inquiry in September 2004, the arts-based thesis integrated text and the body. I hold a BFA in Painting from the University of Calgary and a BA in Sociology and Art History from the University of Alberta.

Please see my website for a full account of my art and academic work

MA Abstract
From Artist to A/r/tographer:
An Autoethnographic Ritual Inquiry into Writing on the Body

The purpose of this research project was to critically reflect on my feminist art practice of the past twelve years, engaging the art itself in a new body of work to reflect back onto itself. I employed a/r/tography to engage an autoethnographic study. The research question that guides this study is "What does it mean to me to have an ethical and aesthetic feminist art practice? Within this inquiry, self-exposure is the guiding principle; exposing myself as an artist, researcher and educator through the process of art making and writing. My desire throughout this thesis is to relocate and join the life-enriching practices of art, ritual and research, within a paradigm of life long-learning. The historical separation of religion, science and art, although important as a movement to differentiate and foster a greater depth of knowledge within each discipline, has left modern society bereft of an integrated knowledge that is capable of a full and healthy embracing of the world in all its diversity (Wilber, 2000). I acknowledge a/r/tography in this study as a powerful corrective and integrated form of living inquiry. A feminist and spiritual perspective is the overarching lens that informs the writing of the thesis.