SMH: Wendy Whiteley’s second gift: ‘The time has come to give women a bit of attention’

SMH: Wendy Whiteley’s second gift: ‘The time has come to give women a bit of attention’

2022-07-26

Article by: Linda Morris. Photo: Wendy Whiteley with Steven Alderton, CEO of the National Art School.

Wendy Whiteley was 15 when she dropped out of Hornsby Girls High to enrol in art school. She stayed about a year at East Sydney Technical College, in Darlinghurst, eventually following her prodigiously talented boyfriend to Italy. The rest, as they say, is Australian art history.

More than six decades later, Whiteley has made a $500,000 promised bequest to her alma mater, now the National Art School (NAS) – among the largest gifts the institution has received.

“I’m trying to tidy up loose ends towards the end of my life because I don’t want to leave another mess,” Whiteley says. “There’s been enough messes around Whiteley wills.”

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Just over a week to go until the `Shared Skies` music concert featuring BARKAA, "The New Matriarch of Australian Rap" (GQ), and Rainbow Chan, Artist of the Year at the 2022 FBi SMAC Awards. But who’s counting? 👀

🎫 Concession tickets just $25 — link in bio.

@barkaa__
@chunyinrainbowchan

The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.

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Jul 2

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Just over a week to go until the 'Shared Skies' music concert featuring BARKAA, "The New Matriarch of Australian Rap" (GQ), and Rainbow Chan, Artist of the Year at the 2022 FBi SMAC Awards. But who’s counting? 👀

🎫 Concession tickets just $25 — link in bio.

@barkaa__
@chunyinrainbowchan

The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.

One and only✊🏽

Two years after NAS NEO on Gadigal Land, BARKAA returns to Darlinghurst on Saturday 12 July for the `Shared Skies` concert.

We’re proud to offer free Mob Tix 💖 Get your tickets today!

👑@barkaa__

The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.

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Jul 1

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One and only✊🏽

Two years after NAS NEO on Gadigal Land, BARKAA returns to Darlinghurst on Saturday 12 July for the 'Shared Skies' concert.

We’re proud to offer free Mob Tix 💖 Get your tickets today!

👑@barkaa__

The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.

“It wasn’t about winning, but the feeling of freedom and connection”

Artist Dennis Golding invited exhibition curatorium member Michael Do and NAS Curator, Exhibitions, Lucy Latella for an intimate look at his work `Bingo` (2025), commissioned for our upcoming exhibition `The Neighbour at the Gate` and produced at the National Art School with the assistance of master printer and artist Janet Parker-Smith (pictured); Carolyn Mckenzie-Craig, NAS Head of Printmaking; and Rebecca O’Shea, NAS Printmaking Studio Technician.

‘Bingo’ (2025) is a ten-metre-long wall installation by Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay artist Dennis Golding that draws from his recollections of family bingo nights hosted by his nan and aunty on Eveleigh Street in Redfern, Sydney. Gathering in an abandoned terrace house, they stitched together joy from what little they had; cutting game cards from cardboard, running power through borrowed cords, and making space for community.

Read the photo essay to learn more about the work and exhibition at nas.edu.au or hear the artist in conversation with grandmother Aunty Ali Golding during the opening weekend celebrations, RSVP 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.
—
Photography by Peter Morgan

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Jun 30

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“It wasn’t about winning, but the feeling of freedom and connection”

Artist Dennis Golding invited exhibition curatorium member Michael Do and NAS Curator, Exhibitions, Lucy Latella for an intimate look at his work 'Bingo' (2025), commissioned for our upcoming exhibition 'The Neighbour at the Gate' and produced at the National Art School with the assistance of master printer and artist Janet Parker-Smith (pictured); Carolyn Mckenzie-Craig, NAS Head of Printmaking; and Rebecca O’Shea, NAS Printmaking Studio Technician.

‘Bingo’ (2025) is a ten-metre-long wall installation by Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay artist Dennis Golding that draws from his recollections of family bingo nights hosted by his nan and aunty on Eveleigh Street in Redfern, Sydney. Gathering in an abandoned terrace house, they stitched together joy from what little they had; cutting game cards from cardboard, running power through borrowed cords, and making space for community.

Read the photo essay to learn more about the work and exhibition at nas.edu.au or hear the artist in conversation with grandmother Aunty Ali Golding during the opening weekend celebrations, RSVP 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.
—
Photography by Peter Morgan

Join us for a dynamic program of public events at the National Art School to celebrate the opening of the major exhibition `The Neighbour at the Gate`. Opening during NAIDOC week, the public program will take place over two days, Friday 11 and Saturday 12 July.

Friday 11 July:
Join us for a day of panel discussions with the guest curatorium led by Clothilde Bullen OAM, for artist talks, and artist-led demonstrations.
RSVP essential – limited capacity.

Saturday 12 July:
From 11am to 3pm, enjoy a community-friendly day of free activities, including mindfulness sessions led by Madina Yoga and creative drop-in workshops. Contribute a clay piece to the exhibition and take home your own textile tassel or hand-printed tote bag.

From 5pm, the celebration continues outdoors with a free evening of DJ sets featuring DJ Rocky Stallone, Sveta, and Mason Kimber.

Visit our website to view the full program (link in bio).

#naidocweek #whatsonsydney #sydneykids

The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.

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Jun 27

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Join us for a dynamic program of public events at the National Art School to celebrate the opening of the major exhibition 'The Neighbour at the Gate'. Opening during NAIDOC week, the public program will take place over two days, Friday 11 and Saturday 12 July.

Friday 11 July:
Join us for a day of panel discussions with the guest curatorium led by Clothilde Bullen OAM, for artist talks, and artist-led demonstrations.
RSVP essential – limited capacity.

Saturday 12 July:
From 11am to 3pm, enjoy a community-friendly day of free activities, including mindfulness sessions led by Madina Yoga and creative drop-in workshops. Contribute a clay piece to the exhibition and take home your own textile tassel or hand-printed tote bag.

From 5pm, the celebration continues outdoors with a free evening of DJ sets featuring DJ Rocky Stallone, Sveta, and Mason Kimber.

Visit our website to view the full program (link in bio).

#naidocweek #whatsonsydney #sydneykids

The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.

Join us at the Shared Skies Music Concert with BARKAA, Rainbow Chan and DJ Rocky Stallone, our major program event for the opening weekend of The Neighbour at the Gate. Held in the historic Cell Block Theatre, don’t miss this celebration of culture, identity and sound.

BARKAA @barkaa__ is a Malyangapa, Barkindji woman from western NSW, now living in south western Sydney on Gandangara land. Music has been part of BARKAA’s journey to express herself, the truth and issues impacting First Nations people. BARKAA has made a name for herself with her powerful delivery and lyrics, and her live shows are full of energy and raw intense emotion.

Rainbow Chan @chunyinrainbowchan is an award-winning vocalist, producer and multi-disciplinary artist. Driven by a DIY spirit, Chan melds catchy melodies and off-kilter beats made up of field-recordings and found sounds. Both heartbreaking and tender, her idiosyncratic brand of pop reflects diasporic experiences and deeply personal tales of love and loss.

Multi-hyphenate DJ, MC, podcaster and esteemed Ballroom community member of Samoan heritage, Rocky Stallone @rocky_stall0ne, is known for creating safe spaces and events for queer POC, gracing the decks at balls and functions across the country. Expect to hear a seamless mix of house, R&B, Baille funk, and more, including hot and heaving remixes that will wind your waist.

Saturday 12 July
8 – 10.30pm
Cell Block Theatre

Buy tickets at the link in bio.

View the full program of opening weekend events, including artist talks, artmaking workshops, and community activities, at nas.edu.au.

The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.

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Jun 26

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There`s still time to make a tax deductible donation towards our Pathways Program this EOFY.

To everyone who has already donated, thank you. Your support helps ensure the National Art School is accessible to people from all backgrounds.

Visit link in our bio today to find our more, and help us create crucial pathways to propel our students and alumni to become leading international artists.

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Jun 25

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SMH: Wendy Whiteley’s second gift: ‘The time has come to give women a bit of attention’