Dr Bernadette Drabsch

My academic path began with very tentative footsteps as a mature-aged student during a year of Open Foundation at the University of Newcastle, studying both Ancient History and Visual Arts.  The cross-road at the end of my enabling year caused some dilemma in deciding which avenue to follow, Ancient History or Art? My mind was made up after receiving a particularly high mark for Ancient History and my undergraduate journey began with a Bachelor of Arts.  However, whilst I thoroughly enjoyed studying Latin, Ancient Greek and the classics my love of art never departed and I continued to draw and paint during this time, holding three successful solo exhibitions. Eventually my paths merged when I wandered over to the Natural History Illustration department for some elective subjects within my BA, undertaking courses in scientific illustration and field studies.  After much deliberation I decided to undertake my honours year under the banner of Natural History Illustration and travelled to Pella, in Jordan to work as an illustrator on an archaeological dig.  This culminated in a collection of artworks  and a related honours exegesis/dissertation, entitled 'Tabula Recens Antiquae Terrae - A fresh account of an ancient land'.  My time in Jordan also introduced me to the 6000 year old wall paintings from a site near the Dead Sea called Teleilat Ghassul, that were to become the focus of my PhD research project. This four year endeavor successfully merged all of my prior academic training and practical expertise and combined all of my passions - ancient history, archaeology and natural history illustration. In addition to being a fascinating project to work on my PhD also opened up many new paths to explore and I now feel that I'm at the beginning rather than the end of my meandering academic journey.

 
Research Expertise
My trans-disciplinary academic background in Ancient History, Classical Languages and Natural History Illustration and my volunteer work on archaeological digs in Jordan have resulted in a wide variety of research interests. My PhD titled 'The contextualisation of the ancient wall paintings from Teleilat Ghassul, Jordan' was a cross-institutional and trans-disciplinary project, combining aspects of ancient history, archaeology and natural history illustration. Ongoing research interests include the following areas:

• The contextualised history of illustration
• The role of prehistoric art as a mnemonic tool
• Art creation as a ritual process
• Early visual narratives and linear inscriptions
• The connection between art, religion and social complexity in the Levantine Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age.
• Syrio-Mesopotamian cylinder seals
• Rock art of New South Wales
• Illustrators of the Hunter Region, past and present

 
Teaching Expertise
I currently teach the theoretical component of the Natural History Illustration degree in addition to some studio based subjects. My 2nd year theoretical course covers the history of illustration, from prehistory to modern times, focusing on the importance of socio-cultural contextualisation and developing observation skills. The 3rd year theoretical course teaches students how to develop and write practice-based research. I have developed the curriculum for both of these courses and conduct lectures, tutorials and seminars in addition to carrying out the marking and assessment.  I also teach a new winter compressed field course that combines illustration and cultural studies, focusing on the rock art of the Hunter region.  In addition I have recently designed and written the University's first MOOC with Edx that partners with the Smithsonian Institute.  This creative MOOC 'Drawing Nature, Science and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101'  had 13,000 enrollments from around the world.

Collaborations
I'm currently collaborating with archaeologist, Dr. Stephen Bourke, from the University of Sydney and we are exploring the relationship between art, ritual and social complexity in the Chalcolithic period of the Southern Levant. Additionally, I'm collaborating with members of the Natural History Illustration Research Group (NHIRG) from the University of Newcastle and we are working towards a book publication, exhibitions, public art projects and a proposed conference.  Most recently my primary area of collaboration is with the BOLD team and Edx developing online learning modules for the MOOC.