Creative Arts Research Centre

Our research centre for creative arts embraces research in the areas of art and design, creative media technology, humanities, journalism and broadcasting, theatre, television, performance and Welsh.

The research centre connects communities through exhibitions, performances, radio broadcasts, public lectures and workshops - producing research that contributes to a wider body of knowledge that can enhance society.

Interdisciplinary research is nurtured in our creative environment to develop forward-thinking ways to communicate, interact and problem solve. There is also an emphasis on practice-led and practice-based approaches to research with visual representations, often being a means of disseminating the work.

Research inspires and continually develops our courses and enables us to provide an engaging seminar series of research-related talks by our staff and invited speakers. Key themes within our research include social engagement, arts in health, material thinking within art and design and technology and innovation.

Facilities

Wrexham Glyndŵr University has many resources across its campuses, which help to foster a creative ethos and develop research projects.

The University is home to a number of performance venues, which offer everything from the ability to give talks to the space to create productions. We are also home to community radio station, Calon FM, and the Wrexham studio of BBC Radio Wales.

Our dedicated Creative Industries Building brings together resources from the worlds of design and technology, and our Regent Street building provides the traditional art school environment artists need.

Publications

Baker, D. (2016) 'Deep Time and The Anthropocene in d.g.nanouk okpik's Corpse Whale.' Strata Symposium, Aberystwyth University.

Davies, S. (2016) Towards HAL-ography (Conference Paper), In: Stanley Kubrick: A Retrospective, International Conference, De Montford University.

Davies, S. (2016) CVMP – 12th European Conference on Visual Media Production, (poster presentation) London.

Jones, P. (2016) Art and Geopolitical Borders: Contested Sovereignty and Art Practice, (conference paper) Manchester Metropolitan University.

Liggett, S. (2016) Positioning Ones-Self in the Research Process: eliminating pseudo-science, a split personality and narcissism in combined arts and science research projects at Wrexham Glyndwr University. In: Research Practice, Practice Research, Fine Art research network symposium, NAFAE, University of Cumbria.   

Mckenna, M. (2016) A Murder Mystery in Black and Blue: The Marketing, Distribution and Cult Mythology of Snuff in the UK. In: Jackson, N et al. (eds) Snuff: Real Death and Screen Media. London: Bloomsbury.

McClenaghen, J. (2016) Teaching Painting (conference paper), The Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester, 2016.

Mclenghen, J and Liggett. S. (2016) It wasn’t what I thought I was making”: Managing uncertainty in a speculative space (conference paper). National Association of Fine Art Educators (NAFAE) Conference, London.

Shepley, A. (2016) Art Schools as Heterotopias (Keynote Speaker). In: The Hidden Curriculum Conference, National Association for Fine Art Education. University of East London, London, 22 January.

Simcock, J. (2016) Dyslexia and Teeline: Best teaching practice for shorthand students with learning differences. Conference presentation, NCTJ national shorthand conference, London.

Thompson E & Noga L., Bick A., Kidner M., Marce M., Sturgis D., Sutton T., (2016) Imperfect Reverse (Exhibition) 18-Oct-16-18-Nov-16 Camberwell Space Projects, London.

Woodford-Smith, R. (2016) ‘Working with Gekidan Kaitaisha: Contemporary Japanese performance, cultural hybridization and transcultural collaboration’, Asian Performance and Diaspora Working Group, Theatre and Performance Research Association, University of Bristol.

Alonso, C. (2015) “The Narrative of Craft: Digital Capabilities within Traditional Stories”, In: Proceedings of Internet Technologies and Applications (ITA2015), Wrexham Glyndwr University.

Cooke, A. (2015) Motyf, Type in music. (conference and publication) In: Hochschule fur Gestaltung Schwäbisch Gmünd. ISBN 978-3-936483-07-09.

Liggett, S, Heald K., Earnshaw R.A., Thompson E. and Excell P.S. (2015): "Collaborative Research in Art, Design and New Media - Challenges and Opportunities ", In: Proceedings of Internet Technologies and Applications (ITA 2015) Wrexham Glyndwr University.

Liggett S., Earnshaw R.A., Cunningham S., Heald K. and Thompson E (2015): "Models for Research in Art, Design,and the Creative Industries", In: Proceedings of Internet Technologies and Applications (ITA2015), Wrexham Glyndwr University.

Liggett S., Earnshaw R.A., and Excell P.S. (2015): "Evaluating the REF2014 Results in Art and Design", In: Proceedings of Internet Technologies and Applications (ITA2015), Wrexham Glyndwr University.

Shepley, A. (2015) The Persistence of Escapology: The Relevance of Indeterminate Practices in Contemporary Art and Thinking through Unmaking. In: 11th International Conference on the Artsin Society: The Practice of Art in the Age of the Anthropocene. University of California, 10-12 August.

Books

Berry, D. (2016) Sent/Not Sent. Self published. Reviewed by Page 45 http://www.page45.com/store/SentNot-Sent-Signed-Sketched-In-.html.

Brake, J. (2016) Meithrin Sgiliau Gwrando a Deall a Gwylio a Deall. In: Jones, C and Morris, S. (eds) Cyfoethogi’r Cyfathrebu. Cardiff: University of Wales Press.

Earnshaw, R.A. (2016) Research and Development in Art, Design and Creativity. Published by Springer.

Ellis, K and Bolton, P. (2016) ‘A Mansion for Miners’, Plas Mwynwyr, Rhosllannerchrugog. ISBN 978-1-910607-10-7.

Miles, M. (2016) Eagle and the Lady-Killer - eighteenth century crime novel, published by Rowanvale Books.

Kenyon-Owen, S, C. (2015) “Broken, rusty, charismatic”– the Transmedial destiny of found objects in the artwork of Penny Hallas'. (Book Chapter) in: Moenander, SJ. and Kavner-Miller, N. (eds.)

Kenyon-Owen, S, C. (2015) Not ever absent: Storytelling in Arts, Culture and Identity Formation. Inter-Disciplinary Press, Oxford, ISBN 978-1-84888-337-6, SKU: 9781848883376 (e-book publication).

Miles, M. (2015) Dark Satanic Mill - historical thriller, published by Rowanvale Books.

Thompson, E., & de Caires, D., Danby, C., Schultz, D, White, M., Bevan R., NEUSCHLOSS, Stent, D., (2015) Artists’ Book: Artists’ Book: Collaborations (Conference) A Frame of Mind with Hand in Glove; Artists’ Book collaborations in education; a working collection, 20-Mar-15 Richmond, The American International University in London.

Radio Production

Harrison, S. (2015) The Toffee Tip – Radio Drama. (Producer) BBC Radio 4, 3rd September.

Exhibitions

Alonso, C. and Mellor J. (2016) Prize winners’ exhibition, The Cutlers Hall, London.

Clarke, W. (2016) Ceramic Wales, Wrexham.

Hitchin,S. (2016) Wirral Open Williamson Art Gallery; The Ellesmere National Art Exhibition; Ceramic Wales, Wrexham.

Keegan S. (2016) Ceramic Wales, Wrexham.

Jones, P. (2016) Visions in the Nunnery, Nunnery Gallery, London (Oct-Dec).

Jones, P. (2016) Summer of Love, Undegun Art Space, Wrexham (Sept).

Jones, P. (2016) Wheel of Life, Ty Brethyn, Llangollen (Sept).

Jones, P. (2016) Winnipeg Underground Film Festival (WUFF), Canada (June).

Jones, P. (2016) Oriel Wrexham Offsite projects, Holt, Wrexham (Feb).

Jones, P. (2016) Moving Minds, Oriel Sycharth, Wrexham (Feb-Apr).

Liggett, S. (2016) The New English Art Club Open, Mall Galleries London.

McClenaghen, J (2016) Moving Minds, Oriel Sycharth, Wrexham (Feb-Apr).

Thompson, E. & Innes, C., Irvin, A., (2016) Contemporary Abstract Prints (The Golder-Thompson Gift) [Exhibition] 02-Jul-16 – 02-Oct-16, Pallant House Gallery.

Thompson, E. (2016) Artist of the Day [Exhibition] 23-Jun-16 Flowers Gallery, London.

Jones, P. (2015) Carbon meets Silicon, In: Proceedings of Internet Technologies and Applications (ITA 2015) Wrexham Glyndwr University.

Liggett, S. (2015) Carbon meets Silicon, In: Proceedings of Internet Technologies and Applications (ITA 2015) Wrexham Glyndwr University.

Thompson, E. & Wilding, E., Ford, L., Carter, J., Begum, R., Hambling, M., Kirby, J., (2015) Small is Beautiful [Exhibition] 09-Dec-15-09-Jan-16, Flowers Gallery East, London.

Thompson, E., &, Batchelor, D., Boxall, H., Dickens, P., Booker, C., Donaque, M., Brook, P., Harris, J., Hilliard, J., (2015) In Light of the Monochrome (Exhibition) 06-Mar-15-25-Mar-15 Dye House Gallery, Bradford College.

Commissions

Berry, D., Gaffney, D., Lowes, S. The Three Rooms in Valerie’s Head - performance graphic novel at the Brewery Arts Centre, Lakes International Comic Art Festival, October 2015.

Berry, D. (2015) Bear Canyon - as part of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival 24 hour comic event.

Hitchin, S. (2015) Sculpture for Cunningham Grange St Helens. ‘Ex Terra Lucem’ commissioned by Taylor Wimpey North West.

Events/Festivals

Thompson E & Noga L., Bick A., (2016) Imperfect Reverse (Symposium) 03-Nov-16 Camberwell Space Projects, London. Panel member.

Woodford-Smith, R. (2016) From Tokyo: Site/Memory Mapping Project, Sound/video installation, collaboration with Mikyoung Jun Pearce, Walking Women Festival, Somerset House in association with Live Arts Development Agency.

Clarke, W. (2016) Curator for Ceramic Wales.

Berry, D (2015) Hourly Comics. See http://www.thingsbydan.co.uk/2016/02/hourly-comic-day-2016/.

Berry, D. (2015) An "almost weekly" hour long in-depth artist interview for the podcast Make It Then Tell Everybody - (makeitthentelleverybody.com).

Dr Susan Liggett, Professor Rae Earnshaw (2015), Workshop Chair, “Art, Design, Science, Technology and Applications – Interface Issues, Challenges and Opportunities” In: Proceedings of Internet Technologies and Applications (ITA2015), Wrexham Glyndwr University.

Collaborations

Berry, D. (2016) collaboration with the Lakes International comic art festival - we had ACE funding for a performance themed adaptation of a literary work through the medium of comics.

Cooke, A. and Williams Y. (2016) Refugees; Erasmus + project consortium consisting of 6 institutions from 4 countries: Poland, Finland, Greece, and the United Kingdom. The partnership includes institutions specialising in studies on migration, human centred design attitude, Innovative teaching methods, and new technologies. Workshops and exhibition in Warsaw Pjatk and Helsinki Aalto.

Jones, P. (2016) Techscaping: Humans Nature and Technology in the Dee Estuary; a collaborative project between University of Manchester, UCL and Wrexham Glyndwr University.

Jones, P. (2016) Guardians of The Border; a collaboration between Oriel Wrexham Offsite projects and Wrexham Glyndwr University.

Kenyon-Owen S. C., The Tales We Tell, (Art Installation & exhibition, organiser and curator), Wrexham. 2015.

S. Liggett (2015/15) In-between-ness Windows Within, joint research proposal between Bangor University, Liverpool University and Wrexham Glyndwr University.

McClenaghen, J. (2015) Teaching Painting Network; committee member for this cross UK Universities group.

Thompson, E., & Galeta, R., Batchelor, D., Dickens, P., Booker, C., Donaque, M., Brook, P., (2015). You see what you see or you see who you are? - Reflecting on painters making mirrors, walls and voids with pigments and light. In: In Light of the Monochrome (Exhibition and Symposium) 05-May-15 Dye House Gallery, Bradford College.

Awards

LLywarch, T. (2016) Research and development of online video tutorials. Highly commended for Best Production Values by the CADARN Educational Media Awards, at Cardiff Millennium Centre. Ongoing collaboration with Childhood Studies, Wrexham Glyndwr University.

Alonso, C; Mellor, J (2016) Joint second prize for spoon design UCL's Institute of Making in association with The Worshipful Company of Cutlers. http://www.instituteofmaking.org.uk/blog/2016/09/competition-results-of-the-cutlery-design-challenge.

Contact us

If you are interested in studying for a research degree or collaborating with a researcher please contact Dr Susan Liggett, Head of the University Research Centre for Creative Arts and Reader in Art and Design at s.liggett@glyndwr.ac.uk