Date of Submission
8-2023
Type of Work
Exegesis and Creative Work
Principal Supervisor
Dr. Toby Wren
Keywords
Diaspora, 2nd generation migrant, feminism, ethnicity, identity, musical composition, hybridity, musicalisation.
Audience
Mature (M) - moderate impact language/themes, includes violence/nudity, not restricted to 15+
Abstract
This exegesis explores identity and cultural issues in contemporary Australia through music composition. It is based on experiences of a second-generation female migrant. This research includes a creative component that fuses Assyrian musical elements with Western genres such as jazz, neo-soul and nu-jazz. This written exegesis employs an autoethnographic and creative practice-based approach to examine the multifaceted intersections of music, ethnicity, and gender.
This exegesis navigates the landscape of hybridity, feminism, representation, and musicalisation, probing the transformative role of music and art in articulating the diasporic experience of women. A methodological fusion of autoethnography and creative practice guides the research, aligning the author's reflexive creative process within the Australian-Assyrian diaspora context. This exegesis presents three distinct musical compositions that intertwine personal experience as a jazz vocalist and double bassist with an evolving exploration of Assyrian musical heritage.
The findings of this interdisciplinary journey accentuate the intricate relationship between music composition, identity exploration, and cultural discourse. The auto-ethnographic approach both resulted in the emergence of a unique artistic identity, but also served as a powerful tool to challenge societal norms and foster inclusivity. By bridging academia and the arts, this study reveals the potential of creative practice-based practices to enrich both spheres whilst emphasising the significance of diverse narratives.
This exegesis contributes to cultural studies by illuminating the multifaceted dimensions of identity through musical creation and reflecting on creative decisions. It highlights the potential for artistic endeavours to contest conventional standards of academia, and offer new perspectives on societal dynamics. The outcomes also underscore the value of autoethnographic research in challenging contemporary socio-cultural norms. Overall, this work lays a foundation for further exploration, enabling scholars to continue unravelling the intricate tapestry of identity and its intersections with creative practices.
Recommended Citation
Homeh, S. (2023). Composing an identity between worlds : Music’s role in exploring the self [Masters dissertation, SAE University College]. Creo.