As the school year comes to an end on what has been a difficult year, it is good to reflect on the positive things achieved by our Visual Arts students.

Importantly, though it is also important that we acknowledge the support provided by our parents and carers to our children in their Visual Arts studies this year. Parents derive a great deal of joy seeing what their kids are able to produce and their growth over the years in developing more sophisticated ways of presenting their ideas.

Regretfully due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was not possible to open our doors to our community to attend this year’s art exhibitions.

A huge congratulations to Finley Johnston and Kathryn Jankiewicz who had their HSC Bodies of Work shortlisted for ARTEXPRESS.

Finley’s work titled 'Concept 45'' A round corner' was selected for the exhibition.

Expressive Form: Collection of Works.

(WOOD, EMBROIDERY, GRAPHIC PRINT, PAINT, ACRYLIC)

A look into architectural interiors, a perspective of reality and abstraction through materials, colour, depth and texture.

Kathryn's work is titled 'Mother Nature'

Expressive Form: Sculpture

My collection of sculptures, “Mother Nature’ explores the taboo nature of periods in the hopes to spark a conversation to dismantle the stigma that still remains prevalent today. Menstruation affects half the world’s population, yet is infrequently discussed and perceived as impure and unclean, however, childbirth is viewed as a gift. For some women, menstruation affects them so greatly yet our inability to speak freely further subjugates them, adding to their physical and emotional discomfort. The works are decorated in miniature polymer clay and embroideries of native Australian flora, referencing Australia’s slow-acceptance of periods by governmental laws (“Tampon Tax” that was only annulled in January 2019) and the media (Libra’s 2019 #bloodnormal campaign being Australia’s first advertisement campaign to feature realistic red colouring) My artwork demonstrates that periods shouldn’t be feared or viewed as disgusting, when they are as natural as breathing.

Detail: one of three

ARTEXPRESS is an annual exhibition featuring a selection of outstanding student artworks developed for the artmaking component of the HSC examination in visual arts in NSW. It includes a broad range of approaches and expressive forms, including ceramics, collection of works, documented forms, drawing, graphic design, painting, photomedia, printmaking, sculpture, textiles and fibre, and time-based forms.

Collectively, the Year 12 Visual Arts students produced very impressive artworks this year, with engaging concepts and impressive skills on display.

The school's Facebook account has a slideshow of all of the student’s works.

Congratulations also goes to Marium El-Hajj, Year 12 VA, in attaining early admission to the National Art School 2021.

Marium's work titled 'Paralysed'

Paralysed

Expressive Form: Painting

'I have always over thought things and that has only exacerbated my journey with anxiety. Overthinking has been destructive and mentally draining. Dwelling on multiple things that didn’t go well and imagining worst-case scenarios continually corrupts my tranquil state of mind, ultimately leading me down a path of stagnation, unproductivity and procrastination. Sometimes I have had to take days off school just to comprehend and overcome the marks I have received.

My achievements are short-lived, while my mind scrutinises the minute mishaps in life. To illustrate this internal struggle more clearly, I have depicted myself in an amusement park, symbolically associated with joy and elation which is juxtaposed against my self-portrayal. Life is moving forward, whilst I am paralysed in time, representing the missed opportunities I failed to see whilst lost inside my thoughts.' 

Three of our Year 12 students, Mika Levy, Olivia Lindgaard and Noah Engesser will participate in the National Art School Dobell Drawing Class early next year.

Term 4 has been extremely busy with a series of Artstream Self-Direction Project (SDP) exhibitions and the Year 7 Dully Archies exhibition in Week 8. 

The Self-Direction Project gives each student the opportunity over the space of the school year, to produce an artwork of their own choice, researching and developing their concept and producing the artwork in their selected expressive form.

Year 8 had their first foray into the SDP this year and the works displayed in the exhibition were impressive. The Visual Arts & Enrichment workshops have concluded and these once again provided great opportunities for our students to work with artists and designers in exploring the variety of ways they can be creatively engaged as well as build their skills and knowledge.

An array of Year 7 and Year 8 student artworks were exhibited at the Public Schools Arts Festival, a project of Addison Road Community Organisation, the Inner City Teachers Association and Drawn to Seeing. The opening was joined remotely as we open this year's exhibition of fabulous collaborative artworks produced in public schools across Sydney.

Our Year 11/10 Artstream students will be part of the Kaldor Projects Future Curators- Creative Learning Program next year, where they will have access to thousands of artefacts from the artists who have contributed to Kaldor Projects over the past 50 years. This should be an extremely rewarding extension learning experience for the students involved.