ACADEMIC STAFF PROFILE

Dr Richard Gant
Programme Leader - Fine Art

Dr Richard Gant is currently Head of Quality and Programme Leader in Fine Art. He has    exhibited widely in many international venues and is a pro-active researcher in both Fine Art and Management Science. Drawing and Sculpture are fundamental to his practical research.

International post doctoral text publication frequently cites interdisciplinary research activities in Art and Science. These focus on impact assessments of art to business and industry.

Major projects have evaluated the reciprocal roles and motivations of art placement engagement, Building upon Action Learning for Fine Art Students, Uni. of Granada, (2005),Learning in Organisations; Fine Art practice and Industry, positive motivations, lateral learning, a model for future implementation, Uni. of the Aegean, Rhodes,(2005). Similarly he has explored and published the role of art to facilitate cultural assimilation, The Talascape Project, Diversity of Cultures, Identifying the Dynamics of Diversity – exclusion or inclusion, assimilation or pluralism, UCLA (2004).

Richard has founded and curated several sponsored collaborative international fine art group exhibitions in S. E. Asia and China, “see what you can do”, Wetterling Teo Gallery, Singapore (in association with O2, S.E. Asia), (2004), “Simpatico”, College of Fine Arts, Shanghai Uni. (2002). These have resulted in international reciprocal links and engagements “Impression” Hope St Gallery, Liverpool Biennial, (2004). 

Drawing research involves both text and practice, engaging both traditional gallery venues, “who am I to disappear” Wrexham Arts Centre,(2008) and interdisciplinary conferences, Drawing for Managers, Charting Receptivity and the Motivation of Marks, Colour and Themes in Organisational contexts and socio economic groups? Monash Uni. Prato, Italy,(2006). 

Landscape has always been an integral element of his drawing research. Derived work has been inspired by the fenscapes of Norfolk to the cliffscapes of the South Downs and moorland extremes of the Snowdon mountain range.

Influenced by international cultures his work is both pluralistic and multidisciplinary,  incorporating public art, BHP, N. Wales (1996), site specific installations, Brucket and Konsten, Munskja paper mill, Sweden, (2000) to gallery based pieces, RBS, London (2008). Current research explores charting drawing in traditional and contemporary practice, with research paper presentations made at Miami University and The Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool (2008)

Transferability and crossing boundaries are common elements in his working practice.