“The role of a creative leader is not to have all the ideas; it’s to create a culture where everyone can have ideas and feel that they’re valued.”
Ken Robinson
Imagine, Explore, Collaborate
As a creative leader, and someone who cares deeply about the value of an education in art and design, imagination has been the driving force in my career as an artist for 25 years. Imagination is the child within all of us and its power can make an idea into something tangible.
My teaching philosophy is in keeping with my approach to art. It begins with research, develops in the imagination, flows into exploration and eventually, intuition comes into play. Research begins with understanding the fundamentals of art – drawing, composition, perspective and colour theory. It also requires an active interest in new media for communicating, disseminating and making culture. It is only with skill and craftsmanship that students will have the means to be able to manifest their vision in the world, to uncover what lies beneath the surface. Students in my class are encouraged to reflect for both personally and collective expression. By helping students to get a real understanding that what they do makes a difference in terms of human rights, community, equality and mental and physical well-being. I encourage risk-taking, critical thinking and creative problem solving. I teach students to develop their own methodologies, to take pleasure in their self-directed research, to be disciplined in their work and to see art as a natural connector between all subjects.
As a creative leader, a self-directed life-long independent artist, active researcher and educator, my goal is to inspire and motivate critical and imaginative thinking in my students. We should use art and action research to instil an attitude of stewardship towards our communities, and the environment.
Clarke Art 