Nick Mount: blow by blow. Reconfiguring biography: a genre in motion

Abstract

I will argue in this thesis that an increased ethnobiographical life writing approach contributes to the contemporary construction of identity. Where, the extant qualities of a subject’s lived experience, is the primary objective of biographical enquiry. The creative component is a work of ethnobiographical nonfiction about South Australian studio glass artist, titled, Nick Mount: Blow by blow. It is comprised of a series of separate thematic narratives which act as entry points into more comprehensive, intimate and historical explorations of Mount’s identity, and reveals Mount’s contribution to Australian visual arts culture. The exegesis, Reconfiguring biography: A genre in motion briefly charts the evolving genre of biographical life writing. It explores ways in which increased ethnobiographical methodologies; narrative nonfiction, and non linearity contribute to contemporary constructions of identity. I will explore ways in which an increased incorporation of reflexive practice and creative analytical processes, and key elements of narrative nonfiction including, immersion, scenes, stance, and point of view; and two features of non linearity, including narrative connection and achronological structures additionally enhance ethnobiographical life writing.