Zohreh Valiary Eskandary

Exploring Sensori-intellectual Love for Learning: Neo-phenomenological Insights from my Painting-writing Practice

Zohreh Valiary Eskandary – University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

Abstract:

In the ever-evolving landscape of art education, the notion of love can invite us to explore “unexpected territories” – spaces that hold transformative potential for personal growth. This paper investigates how a sensori-intellectual love – a love for ideas, art, and learning – acts as a catalyst for lifelong Bildung, a process of ongoing personal development, which is deepened by engagement with the arts. This love sustains a continuous journey of learning, self-discovery, and connection, enhanced through artistic experience. Building on the concept of sensori-intellectual love, I propose that art has the power to create inclusive spaces that encourage individuals to move beyond traditional ways of thinking and understanding. Through hands-on practices and reflective processes, people are invited to engage deeply with their emotional landscapes, fostering critical reflections on personal and shared narratives. This approach not only enriches artistic expression but also fosters empathy and resilience amidst today’s societal challenges. Using examples from my painting-poetics, this paper demonstrates how art draws us into these “unexpected territories.” Embracing the unpredictability of the creative process, art becomes a means for dialogue, vulnerability, and healing. This reimagined approach positions art as a vital component of lifelong learning, where creativity catalyses personal growth and inspires meaningful social change. Through a/r/tography, I document and analyse my journey in painting-poetics, reflecting on how artistic practice reshapes my understanding of love. This research emphasizes the meaning created throughout the creative process, rather than focusing on its outcomes. By closely examining my experiences with artistic expression, I explore the nexus of personal and public relationships, where the self becomes the educative site. This journey of artmaking and writing, particularly poetic writing, serves as a path of self-discovery, aiming to uncover the transformative power of love.