Pedagogy in Practice: Integrating theory and studio-based learning in contemporary fine art education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v10iSI39.7678Keywords:
Fine Art Pedagogy, Studio-based Learning, Theory-Practice Integration, Artistic InquiryAbstract
This paper examines the integration of theoretical frameworks and studio-based practice in contemporary fine art education. Moving beyond the traditional separation of lectures and studio production, it proposes a holistic pedagogy that positions the studio as a site of inquiry, reflection, and critical engagement. Drawing on constructivism, experiential learning, and reflective practice, the paper presents a case-based approach through the “Art & Identity” studio module. Findings suggest that embedding theory within studio processes enhances students' critical thinking, artistic authorship, and conceptual clarity, while also highlighting structural challenges in curriculum design.
References
Amaral, C., Hodson, E., Dowson, C., & Webster, D. (2023). Material-led thinking as a practice of care: A strategy from art and design education. In Academia Press eBooks. Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.26530/9789401496476-108 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26530/9789401496476-108
Balslev, H., Andersson, V., & Schaltz, T. (2020). Sharing experiences and the co-creation of knowledge through personal stories – tools for critical thinking: Student perspectives. Research Portal Denmark, 4(1). https://local.forskningsportal.dk/local/dki-cgi/ws/cris-link?src=aau&id=aau-98564cf9-2dbf-415d-b353-192b16e1fd7e
Bruun‐Pedersen, J. R., Kofoed, L. B., Kristensen, N. S., Andreasen, L. B., Kolmos, A., & Ryberg, T. (2023). Semester structure and the question of coherence between courses and projects. Research Portal Denmark, 119. https://local.forskningsportal.dk/local/dki-cgi/ws/cris-link?src=aau&id=aau-42587577-1061-42f7-8d01-acc22afba923
Buhl, M., Skov, K., & Häikiö, T. K. (2024). From “tool” to “collaborator”: Digital 3D modelling as a catalyst for new aesthetic practices: A study of student teachers’ education in visual arts. Research Portal Denmark, 20, 51. https://local.forskningsportal.dk/local/dki-cgi/ws/cris-link?src=aau&id=aau-5c2dcf8a-bf24-435e-9d49-6940de64eaeb
Chien, T. F. (2023). Crafting visual autoethnography to develop preservice art teachers’ reflexivity and teaching philosophies. International Journal of Education through Art, 19(3), 361–372. https://doi.org/10.1386/eta_00140_1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1386/eta_00140_1
Hassan, J. A. (2022). Artist praxis: Studio as a premise of knowledge. Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal, 7, 111–120. https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7isi9.4252 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v7iSI9.4252
Hewidy, H., Purkarthofer, E., & Eräranta, S. (2023). A tale of four studios: Evolving planning and architecture education towards mixed modality in a post-pandemic world. Education and Information Technologies, 29(10), 11847–11863. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-12320-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-12320-4
Holmen, M. R., Langkjær, J., & Johannsen, B. F. (2023). Place’ing doubt within preservice teacher education. Research Portal Denmark. https://local.forskningsportal.dk/local/dki-cgi/ws/cris-link?src=kp&id=kp-84cd821f-f7e1-40a5-a14e-8bdfe9a8c146
Hübner, F. (2024). Method, methodology and research design in artistic research. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003188841 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003188841
Jacobsen, M., & Marey, A. (2025). Exploring food literacy beyond the plate: The concept of formation and literacy in relation to eating in an educational setting. Research Portal Denmark, 38, 203. https://local.forskningsportal.dk/local/dki-cgi/ws/cris-link?src=kp&id=kp-6f277bcc-ba2d-42a0-8692-ddd79f48d544
Kee, T., Zhang, H., & King, R. B. (2023). An empirical study on immersive technology in synchronous hybrid learning in design education. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 34(3), 1243–1261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-023-09855-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-023-09855-5
Kovalova, M., Nestierova, Y., Chursin, O., Nimylovych, O., & Alforof, A. (2024). The role of artistic practice and practical experience in higher art education: Analysis of methodologies and the structure of practical courses. Journal of Curriculum and Teaching, 13(3), 159–170. https://doi.org/10.5430/jct.v13n3p159 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5430/jct.v13n3p159
Long, S., & McLaren, M.-R. (2024). Belonging in remote higher education classrooms: The dynamic interaction of intensive modes of learning and arts-based pedagogies. Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 21(2). https://doi.org/10.53761/a9cxg327 DOI: https://doi.org/10.53761/1.21.2.03
Martikainen, J., Hujala, A., & Laulainen, S. (2021). Embodied reflection of images as an arts-based research method: Teaching experiment in higher education. Interchange, 53(1), 75–90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10780-021-09449-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10780-021-09449-x
Mittner, L., Meling, L. K., & Maxwell, K. (2023). Arts-based pathways for sustainable transformation towards a more equal world. Nordic Journal of Art and Research, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.7577/ar.5159 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7577/ar.5159
Psycharis, G., Skott, C. K., Donevska-Todorova, A., Faggiano, E., Trgalová, J., Lavicza, Z., Weinhandl, R., Clark‐Wilson, A., & Weigand, H.-G. (2020). Studying mathematics teachers’ documentational and identity trajectories over time. Research Portal Denmark, 101. https://local.forskningsportal.dk/local/dki-cgi/ws/cris-link?src=kp&id=kp-18ba00ae-492d-46bc-8509-08d81478ae72
Rolling, J. H. (2011). Arts practice as agency: The right to represent and reinterpret personal and social significance. Journal of Cultural Research in Art Education, 29(1), 11–24. https://doi.org/10.2458/jcrae.4962 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2458/jcrae.4962
Salisbury, M., Robinson, S., Norton, C., Jennings, M., Hunt, C., Evans, S., & Carter, S. (2025). Studio pedagogies: Cultivating research through artistic practice. Art, Design & Communication in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1386/adch_00101_1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1386/adch_00101_1
Schön, D. A. (1984). The architectural studio as an exemplar of education for reflection-in-action. Journal of Architectural Education, 38(1), 2–9. https://doi.org/10.2307/1424770 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10464883.1984.10758345
Skov, T. K., Iversen, S. N., Georgsen, M., Dau, S., & Horn, L. H. (2023). Making the case for less practice in practice-based education. Research Portal Denmark, 111. https://local.forskningsportal.dk/local/dki-cgi/ws/cris-link?src=via&id=via-6ccdb58d-a432-43be-a9f4-8d4f1997b5cf
Smith, T. J. (2024). Encountering the image of thought in artmaking. Visual Inquiry, 13(1), 9–21. https://doi.org/10.1386/vi_00105_1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1386/vi_00105_1
Sullivan, G. (2005). Art practice as research: Inquiry in the visual arts. SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.5860/choice.42-5662 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5860/CHOICE.42-5662
Sutton, T. (2025). Thinking through practice: Re-envisioning Kolb through applied design pedagogy. Journal of Perspectives in Applied Academic Practice, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.56433/xsqbaj14 DOI: https://doi.org/10.56433/xsqbaj14
Tao, Y., & Tao, Y. (2024). Integrating aesthetic education in quality education: A bibliometric analysis of sustainable development perspectives. Sustainability, 16(2), 855. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020855 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020855
Teaching Artistic Research. (2020). De Gruyter eBooks. De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110665215 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110665215
Telléus, P. K., Bertel, L. B., Velmurugan, G., Kofoed, L. B., Kolmos, A., & Ryberg, T. (2023). Problems, complexity and interdisciplinarity. Research Portal Denmark, 3, 53. https://local.forskningsportal.dk/local/dki-cgi/ws/cris-link?src=aau&id=aau-14bf1693-d570-4cd9-af2b-c32eb54b3a41
Tong, Q. (2024). Creativity in the digital canvas: A comprehensive analysis of art and design education pedagogy. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 15(6). https://doi.org/10.14569/ijacsa.2024.0150696 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14569/IJACSA.2024.0150696
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Rafeah Legino, Nik Syahida Sabri, Suryati Suryati, Ramlan Abdullah

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.