Paint me an essay: Investigating the potential for arts-based approaches to enhance critical studies

The following research investigates why a significant proportion of higher education art school students struggle with critical studies (the theoretical, written course component) and what can be done to remedy this. By employing a pragmatic, mixed-methods approach that combines action research and arts-based practice, the findings suggest that the dichotomy of theoretical and practical course delivery within an art school setting perpetuates a theory/praxis schism in student learning. A potential solution to this binary learning system emerges from this research by suggesting how arts-based pedagogy combined with formal writing conventions may increase student’s critical studies academic comprehension. A new epistemological term emerges to classify this learning and teaching approach as ‘thraxis’, which is defined as a triadic delivery of art school education (theory – thraxis – praxis). Thraxis proposes a bridging point to more effective theoretical engagement via arts-based protocols that destabilizes the division between studio practice and theoretical enquiry.