NAS Studio Sessions: Week One

NAS Studio Sessions: Week One

Show us how you transformed your personal places into your new studio spaces

More than ever it’s important to stay in touch, support each other and find new ways of channelling our creativity. We would love to see what you’ve been doing at home or in the studio and how you are continuing to make art. Share a photo of yourself or your current workspace using #nasstudiosessions and we will re-post on our platforms. Let’s keep everyone inspired and connected through art.

Studio feature of the week

Kicking off NAS Studio Sessions, NAS alumni Luke Sciberras shares with us his studio space of ten years with us and some thoughts on how to stay motivated in this current climate.

“These terrifying times, like others, test our mettle – our resolve to make work that takes us into and out of our own selves. It is as vital to work through times of grief, fear, environmental catastrophes and medical emergencies as it is to work and explore as ever.

My own urge to paint and draw comes naturally but that doesn’t mean easily. I feel as though some think that painting should be easy and look easy, it’s usually not! Don’t be mistaken, easy paintings look flimsy, to me anyway. Beauty in my view comes from challenge, scrutiny and letting go. The free-fall dance of painting is what keeps me going, makes me who I am.

It makes me look, to see the meaning in what is around me. To express that and for people to respond is an ancient act of love and I’m very lucky indeed to be amongst it.” — Luke Sciberras

Creative spaces

Drop in on the creative spaces of our community across the state and gather some inspiration for your own home studio.

Images: @adriennekenafake, @alanftracey, @awxtr, @annatierney.1, @camillegillyboeuf, @dan.hes, @Katerileycreative, @scurran.art, @stephaniejoyhoughton, @taniamasonart, @taraskripps, @supe.yerlan, @u_p_d_tru, @gotmyipadback, @iris_y.w_artist, @ecreixellart, @emmaleen_diaz, @_indrarose, @lucaisic, @lubrosnan_, @lifes_a_bath and @tallulamason

Working plein air

Feeling a little trapped indoors? Bring your tools outside and enjoy the sunshine – getting some fresh air will help lift the spirits and get the creative juices flowing.

Images: @amy_is_jesus, @clementinebelleart, @jilliannalty, @lauraclayart, @martin_john_oldfield

Lending a helping paw

Some artists had four-legged friends helping out in their home studio this week.

Images: @clementinebelleart, @nina_radonja_artist, @zoe.b.creative and @ella_m_howard

Want to find out more?

Thank you to our amazing community who shared their studio spaces with us this week. Keep your eyes peeled on our page as we feature weekly updates to keep you inspired. Follow #NASStudioSessions on Instagram to stay up-to-date with our latest posts.

#Follow us on Instagram
What's happening at the National Art School on 6 September? RSVP to our Open Day today to find out. (Link in bio)
Hear artist James Nguyen (@jamesnguyens) discuss the process of his artwork ‘Homeopathies_where new trees grow’ (2025), a site-specific installation created for The Neighbour at the Gate, now on at NAS Gallery.

In response to the exhibition, Nguyen created a large-scale suspended textile, dyed with introduced weeds and contaminated mud collected along the Duck River and Parramatta River in Sydney. These local sites, like many places in Vietnam, continue to be contaminated by Agent Orange, dioxins and toxic leachates that account for the industrial scale manufacturing of chemical weapons along Homebush Bay.

The Naarm/Melbourne-based, Vietnamese Australian artist positions his personal experiences and perspectives in dialogue with others in his interdisciplinary practice, moving between live and online performance, video, drawing and installations. This work was made in conjunction with Nguyen’s aunt, Nguyễn Thị Kim Nhung, and uncle, Nguyễn Công Chính, who you can hear in conversation with the artist in the Artist Talks archive on our website.

The Neighbour at the Gate is now on until Saturday 18 October 2025. 11am – 5pm, Monday to Sunday. Plan your visit at the link in bio.

The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.
Congratulations to our recent BFA graduate Samuel Chan (@__szwc), who has been named one of three recipients of the ‘most exceptional’ prize at the Dr Harold Schenberg Arts Awards.

Now in its 16th year, the Dr Harold Schenberg Arts Awards offers the largest prize pool for emerging artists in Australia and is part of PICA’s ‘Hatched: National Graduate Show’. To be part of ‘Hatched’ exhibition is an honour as it showcases the next generation of Australia’s contemporary creative voices, presenting artworks by 23 outstanding art school graduates from across the country.

Sam’s award-winning installation work includes 'At Eventuality’s End' - an evocative sculptural piece previously featured in our ‘Queer Contemporary: Chaosophy ‘exhibition as well as the NAS Grad Show.

Inspired by our alumni success stories? Join our Open Day on 6 September to explore your own creative path and get application-ready with one-on-one consultation sessions. (Link in bio)

--
(In order of appearance in the video)

'Embrace', 2024, resin, stainless steel hook, Conte crayon, 47 x 14.5 x 9.5cm

‘Transfiguration’, 2024, Chillagoe White Pearl marble, mild steel, incense, 172 x 26 x 26cm 

'Noose', 2024, resin, graphite, titanium rod, 30 x 14 x 5cm 

'At Eventuality's End', 2024, hand-dyed paper, wire mesh, mild steel rod, 255 x 80 x 60cm

Image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Jennifer Leahy (@silversalt_photography)

@pica_perth
Loading...