Drawing in the age of distraction

The aim of this paper is to explore how pedagogically drawing can be used as a means of slowing down the speed at which students observe & look. It is through drawing that we explore the world around us - it is the simplest form of communication, allowing one to articulate often, complex ideas in visual form. Especially for students it offers a space to allow their ideas to gestate - to visually think, outside of the constant pressure for immediate visual gratification. The act of drawing is a slowing down of time. Through observation, enquiry, and self-reflection the process of drawing is trying to understand a subject. This daily practice allows one to explore ideas or subject matter over time. A process of enquiry that is important to fully understand your own practice. In my own practice I use drawing as part of the research methodology & as Polish poster artist Henryk Tomaszewski referred to as ‘professional hygiene’ in sustaining enquiry through drawing. Beyond the material outcome of drawing workshops, they play a vital role in slowing down students - providing an environment to explore through drawing comprehensively, rather than grazing imagery on the Internet. Time seems especially important - to have reflective time beyond the multitude of distractions that avail us in modern life. Because of the Internet a student can easily access contemporary art without necessarily understanding it, or learning it in the appropriate order. The same can be said of observing the world around us & having something to say in the work. A gestation period seems very relevant to allow students the time to develop a visual language that is both personal & sustainable.