PHILOSOPHY, AUTOETHNOGRAPHY AND ARTISTIC RESEARCH METHODS: THE ARTIST AS A CONTRIBUTOR
Virtual 2021 ACASA Triennial Conference
ACASA 18th Triennial Symposium DePaul University and Art Institute of Chicago
Sela Kodjo Adjei, PhD
June 15th-20th, 2021
Abstract
In visual ethnographic methods, photographs serve as a basic truth-revealing mechanism that expands the mind and imagination of readers. The powerful potential of modern visual ethnographic methods in the qualitative study of visual culture is rapidly gaining the attention of scholars. Researchers from diverse fields have always explored photography as a qualitative research tool for documentation, particularly in anthropological scholarship. Photography still proves to be one of the most reliable methods to collect, store, analyse and process data for dissemination. But have researchers explored the full potential of photography as a key component in the study and understanding of African art and visual culture? This paper aims at broadening the understanding of researchers about the power and infinite possible uses of visuals in artistic research and visual anthropological studies. Visual data breaks down complex ideas, theories, concepts into smaller units to support facts. Visuals break down field data more easily into readily discernible units which makes information processing clear, simple and comprehensive. Photographs serve as aide memoires in storing, processing, retrieving and recalling information for a better understanding of any issue being discussed. Psychologically, photographs leave visual imprints in the long-term memory of the human brain. Based on years of autoethnographic fieldwork, practice-based learning and artistic research methods, this paper will share my personal spiritual journey into the sacred Art of Ewe Vodu religion. Throughout the data collection process of this research, high resolution photography and ethnographic filming served as a collaborative research tool in documenting the lives of Ewe artists (women mostly) in Vodu shrines. Through photographs, I’m sharing my spiritual journey as an Ewe, an artist, a curator and researcher working and living among the Ewe People in the South Eastern part of Ghana.
