K'Gari Coast

Marni Stuart

K’Gari Coast responds to the research question ‘how can surface pattern design be exhibited to share the reflexivity of practice?’ To do so, the work presents artefacts of process surface pattern design practice, through croquis, motif, and swatch, as part of the creative outcome. This research contributes a blueprint for the display of design practices to share the reflexivity of praxis The work was displayed as part of the exhibition ‘Wildflowering by Design’ exhibited at the Bundaberg Regional Gallery in 2020-1 receiving 3835 visits, and the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery in 2022 receiving 1200 visits in 2022. Research Background K’Gari Coast responds to the research question: how can surface pattern design (SPD) be exhibited to share the reflexivity of practice? To do so, the work includes artefacts process in the exhibited outcome. Iterative reflexivity is a process of questioning, commonly engaged in SPD praxis using croquis, motifs, and swatches. Croquis are discipline-specific low fidelity prototypes that test the concept of resultant pattern. The learning gained in the croquis, inform the creation of motifs which are patterned to form a swatch, or sample work, that may then be produced. This multi-stepped disciplinary praxis enacts inherent iteration encouraging reflexivity and refinement. Whilst this deliberate process of question and answer is well-known within the SPD community (Studd, 2002), it is hidden when works are used or displayed. Through its origins in fabric, SPD outcomes are printed onto lengths of fabric or formed into garments in SPD exhibitions (Barrkman, 2021-2022). As a result, SPD is often deemed naïve, uncomplicated, or not “interested in articulating what makes in special” (Igoe, 2010, p.4). Research Contribution Choosing to display process as creative outcome leans on the act of displaying artist sketches to provide insight into the evolution of painting (Berggruen, 2011). This research contributes the display of the artefacts of praxis a blueprint for all design practices to best reflect the reflexivity of their work. Through this revision of display, viewers are given an insight into complexity of the craft that might share consideration of practice and depth of reflexivity. Research Significance K’Gari Coast was developed in response to an invitation to exhibit in Wildflowering by Design based on the quality practice and connection to the exhibition message. The work was accepted for exhibition by curator, Dr Susan Davis and gallery directors and was displayed at the Bundaberg Regional Gallery publicly viewable for 2.5 months, received 3835 visits in 2020-1, and the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery for 1 month and received 1200 visits in 2022. It was supported by the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, Bundaberg Regional Council, Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, and Fraser Coast Council who provided support through their Regional Arts Development Funds, in partnership with Queensland Government.

K'Gari Coast

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