Art Almanac: In the studio with NAS alumna Catherine O’Donnell

Art Almanac: In the studio with NAS alumna Catherine O’Donnell

Article by: Jaimi Wright. Photo: Catherine O’Donnell, Urban Perspective, Large window, 2018, charcoal on paper, 100.7 × 135.5cm unframed. Courtesy the artist, Dominik Mersch Gallery, Sydney and Orange Regional Gallery, New South Wales

What does a typical day in the studio look like for you?
Currently, because I am working towards two exhibitions, I get up and get into the studio about 9am and probably finish around 4 or 5pm, with a very quick lunch in between. That is the case pretty much five days a week with a little extra on the weekend, so I spend as much time as I can in the studio at the moment. My studio is in my home. It’s in my garage off the side of my house, so I do have the luxury of being in my home if I want to, rather than travel somewhere to do my work.

Artistically, what draws you to architectural vernacular?
In particular, I love geometry, and the way the configuration fibrobeading and fibro sheets in fibro (low income) housing, in my eyes, makes abstract forms. The overall embedded primary and geometric shapes in these dwellings are really what captures my imagination.

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This end of financial year, support the next generation of artists through the National Art School’s Pathways Program.

Your donation will be vital in helping us build a more inclusive and vibrant arts community — creating crucial pathways for talented artists to become leading international artists, regardless of their background.

Support our EOFY campaign via the link in bio and help us to break down barriers to art education.
In June, we celebrate World Pride Month. Like many other culturally significant times, it’s a month that’s meaningful to our community and the Oxford precinct we are part of. 

In 2015, NAS alum Todd Fuller (@fuller_todd) sent members of the public black and white drawings depicting two men engaged in a passionate kiss. The participants were encouraged to respond to the image by colouring in the figures, with the resulting images compiled by Fuller into a mixed media video animation. 

Fuller gifted this work to the National Art School Collection, a collection that performs a major role within the National Art School as both a teaching resource and a historical record. Visit our website to find out more about the works in our collection.

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Todd Fuller, ‘The Unite Project - 3rd generation ‘, 2015, mixed media animation, colour and sound, 13.35 mins loop; image courtesy the artist and National Art School © Todd Fuller. From the National Art School Collection - Gift of Todd Fuller.
We're excited to share that NAS Photomedia sessional Dr Jack Ball (@jack__ball_) is the winner of the $100,000 Ramsay Art Prize 2025, the nation’s most generous prize for Australian artists under forty.

Jack's award winning work 'Heavy Grit' is on display in the Ramsay Art Prize 2025 exhibition which opens tomorrow, Saturday 31 May

Jack Ball with 'Heavy Grit' in Ramsay Art Prize 2025, Art Gallery of South Australia, (@agsa.adelaide) Adelaide; photo: Saul Steed
Thank you to outgoing Chair Susan Rothwell AM & welcome to incoming Chair Jeff Weeden. The National Art School would like to express its deepest gratitude to Susan Rothwell AM, whose term as Chair of the NAS Board concludes on 31 May 2025. 

At the same time, we are pleased to announce and warmly welcome Jeff Weeden as the incoming Chair of the NAS Board, effective 1 June 2025.

Jeff has served as a Director on the NAS Board since 2019 and currently chairs the Finance and Audit Committee, a position he has held since 2023.  For the full announcement, click the link in the bio.
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