Dr. Hazel Clark teaches at the School of Art and Design History and Theory at Parsons The New School for Design and last week visited Chelsea College of Arts to work with MA Textile Design students.
Her visit follows that of the Textiles Environment Design team to Parson’s earlier this year and saw her deliver lectures and brainstorming sessions with MA students about their final projects.
Student Chrissa Amuah who is studying on MA Textile Design, met with Hazel to discuss her project Modern Africa – Sankofa which looks at Africa’s renaissance and rapid growth economies and the impact this has had on culturally important Adrinkra symbols in Ghana. She aims to explore ways in which to successfully adapt these symbols and their use in textile design to a modern day context without corrupting their renowned proverbial and cultural prestige.
Dr Hazel Clark meeting with MA Textiles Design student Chrissa Aumuah.
Of her 1-2-1 with Hazel, Chrissa said “Hazel’s feedback was very constructive. She brought to my attention the work of designers and photographers whose work I share themes of interest with; Fernando and Humberto Campana and Seydou Keïta. It was very interesting and useful to have another perspective and alternative suggestions.”
Chrissa Amuah’s MA Textiles Design work in progress.
Dr. Clark considers the study of history and theory critical for those who intend to become design and art practitioners as well as for individuals pursuing focused interdisciplinary scholarship in those fields, and brought this interest to students at Chelsea for discussion and debate.
Dr. Clark has had a substantial career as a teacher, administrator, and scholar in art and design education. She was one of the first graduates in Britain to be awarded a PhD in the history of design, and has since published and taught internationally on the history and theory of design, with a particular interest in design and cultural identity and a focus on fashion and textiles. Before coming to Parsons, Dr. Clark was head of the Swire School of Design at the Hong Kong Polytechnic (now the Hong Kong Polytechnic University).
To find out more about studying MA Textile Design at Chelsea, visit our course pages.