Do You See What I See? Creative Representation of Research into Identity

Visual arts practice reflects cultural identity in a particular time and place and is seen as a valid but subjective way to interpret social belonging. As researchers who are interested in exploring issues about identity move into using audio-visual techniques to represent their findings, strategies are developing on how to integrate surveys and questionnaires as more creative works. Similarly, artists are using research data to share ideas with a broader audience. Two Darwin-based arts practitioners explore their audio-visual creative work as case studies of integrating quantitative and qualitative research data into explorations of identity. They suggest that, as research moves into the public domain, visual arts will increasingly be an important element in helping to clarify and consolidate communication in this area of research. This article draws on cultural theory to raise profound questions about how research into identity can be interpreted and shared through auditory and visual art practice. The authors raise discussion about the artificial delineation of cultural research and art, seeking to extend the broader recognition of artistic works as research output.