Research Degree Title

Contemporary Photographic Imaging and Historical Representations: A Case Study of Reverend George Furlong , Methodist Missionary, Western Samoa 1904-1907

Supervisors

Dr PJ Maguire

K Norquay

Aims of Investigation

Phase 1:

• Research into the history of colonial Photography of Samoa, the history of the lava fields and related issues.
• Development of the networks of archives needed for research.
• Fundraising for fieldwork.
  

Phase 2:

• Research Samoan Colonial Photographic History.
• Create links with institutions related to archival photographic and document collections worldwide.
• Carry out fieldwork in Australia and Samoa.
  

Phase 3:

• Carry out literature and archival searches.
• Collect archival data in Australia and Samoa.
• Collect photographic data.
  

Phase 4:

• Review archival and photographic data.
• Create photographic prints and exhibitions 'Navigators I' and 'Navigators II' and 'Navigating Stevenson'.
• Publish.
  

Phase 5:

• Develop thesis.
• Transfer to PhD.
  

Phase 6:

• Develop thesis and further artworks based upon MPhil revelations.
• Design and plan further practice.
  

Phase 7:

• Develop final artwork and theoretical framework.
• Initial thesis draft.
  

Phase 8:

• Write up final thesis draft.

Abstract/Research Questions

• Can contemporary Photography and digital image production convey meaning and understanding about history in the absence of historical photographic representations?

• If contemporary image production can produce meaning or convey knowledge about history then how are these histories constructed and how is this knowledge conveyed?
  

• What is the significance of Furlong's images in a photographic, Samoan and colonial context?

Grants & Awards

2002

• Falmouth College of Arts Research Award £600 support towards University fees

• Falmouth College of Arts Research Award £2,500 support towards the production of the "Navigating Stevenson" publication

• South East Arts Major Award £4,500 for production of the "Navigating Stevenson" publication

• Scottish Arts Council Award £4,200 in association with Napier University and The Scottish National Portrait Gallery

2002 - 2000

• Arts and Humanities Research Board Grant £4,000 for dissemination of digital imaging research/exhibition costs for "Navigators II: Home"

2001

• Woo Charitable Foundation Bursary £5,000 for investment into marketing, production and equipment

2000

• Scottish Arts Council/Napier University Fellowship: photography & digital imaging £9,500 for production of new work;

• South East Arts Grant £700.00 for dissemination of research - exhibition costs

• University of Brighton Research Grant £1,000

1999

• Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Travelling Fellowship £5,500 Award for fieldwork in Samoa & Australia

• South East Arts Grant £600 Award for materials for fieldwork inSamoa & Australia

• KJP Photographic equipment sponsorship hire of equipment for two months fieldwork in Samoa & Australia

• AGFA discounted film fieldwork in Samoa & Australia

• Jessops Photographic equipment sponsorship for fieldwork in Samoa & Australia

• Brighton College of Technology staff development £2,500 fees forMPhil/PhD

• Spectrum Photographic Film Processing three thousand negatives from fieldwork in Samoa &Australia.