Christopher Millward
Lecturer
Biography
Chris completed a BA(Hons) degree in 2002, and then shortly after in 2003 was appointed as a Technical Demonstrator for Art and Design, a role that he still holds. After completing Postgraduate qualifications, a PgCert, and becoming a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Chris has worked for the past 7 years as a Visiting Lecturer in Art and Design and for the Centre of Foundation Studies where he is a module leader on the Creative Arts Pathway. In 2024, Chris became a 0.5 Lecturer in Art and Design on a fixed term contract. As a practicing sculptor, Chris' technical expertise sit within both woodwork and metal workshops. He supports and teaches students across Product Design, Fine Art, Interior and Graphic Design programmes to develop their practical skills. He is an elected member of the Royal Society of Sculptors and exhibits his work regionally and nationally. He has a keen interest in the development of digital technology such as virtual and augmented realities and incorporates this in his own work as well as his teaching practice. Chris has been heavily involved with the setting up and running of the Contemporary Art Space Chester (CASC) Gallery since 2010, helping to hang and curate student and professional artist exhibitions.
Teaching and Supervision
Lecturer in Art and Design (Product Design - Fine Art - Interior Design - Graphic Design) Lecturer for Centre for Foundation Studies - Creative Arts pathway
Research and Knowledge Exchange
PhD - Chris explores how advancements in digital technologies and capabilities can be incorporated into traditional sculptural practice; referencing how the capacities of the body change depending on the method of production. QR Project with Alan Summers - investigating the use of extended reality (XR) in the production of three-dimensional digital artefacts and the physical and digital knowledge transfer involved within their production processes. This investigation considers how these objects can be presented when their final form as a unique digital format, exploring the inherent problems and possibilities this brings in displaying art and design practice that only exists as digital material until it is remediated by XR display systems. QR Project with Jeremy Turner - This proposal underpins a project to align the longevity of metal casting processes with some of the latest technological possibilities in digital scanning and three-dimensional printing. The project will explore opportunities to 3D scan handmade sculptures and artefacts and seek to find boundaries and ultimately determine best and good practice with regard to 3D printing in PolyCast filament for the purposes of ceramic shell casting and sand casting. This will have the potential to circumnavigate laborious processes associated with making waxes for the purposes of burn out in current casting practice. Research into Second Life and other Virtual Worlds as a Teaching and Learning strategies.