Patti Gaal-Holmes is an artist/filmmaker and historian, whose research-informed practice investigates relationships between film and photography, with a particular interest in analogue technologies and photo/film materiality.
Recent projects entail excavating her rich cross-cultural identity through archival and location research. This includes utilising the potential that a camera has for getting beneath the surface of things … between the cracks and fissures of history and memory. Her love of analogue processing and printing technologies, and working in the darkroom, facilitate an approach akin to alchemy, whereby the ghosts of the past can be tuned into and brought to light.
Archival research is central to her projects, involving close analyses of historical texts. This is also countered by reading between the lines and recognising archival absences, as much as presences. Her recent project involves discipline-hopping to research in the natural sciences and medical historical museums.
Her role as Senior Lecturer in Film Production involves teaching contextual history/theory units, as well as practical (analogue) filmmaking. In this regard an interest in ‘processes of thinking’ between theory and practice are integral to her methodological approaches. Alongside visual works in film and photography, the presentation of conference papers, and the writing of articles or essays, also forms an integral part of the research and dissemination process.
I am eligible to supervise PGR students
Gaal-Holmes welcomes research proposals focused on analogue, experimental filmmaking and/or photography (within the broader contexts of cinema and the visual arts). This can include practice-based research focused on relationships between film materiality and content. Additionally, research focused on opening up visual discourses on cross-cultural identity through film and/or photography are also welcome.