The Function of Art Studentsʹ Use of Studio Conversations in Relation to their Artwork

The investigation presented in this article is focused on studies within a practice based MFA program in visual art in Sweden. The analysis presented is based on two interviews each with nine art students: One interview during their first and one during their fourth year of study. The analysis focuses on the relation between two aspects of their studies: The use of studio conversations and the relation to their own artwork. Data are analyzed and results are presented for each student as a case. The cases are compared and grouped based on similarities and differences. A close relationship between use of studio conversations and relation to own artwork is found, varying to its character from case to case. The results have implications for the understanding of the self-directed character of the studies and the very free form of curriculum typical of visual art practice education.