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.