On Friday 11 July, we held an industry day as part of our opening weekend celebrations, which included artist talks and art making opportunities. Below are recordings of the artists talks, where you can hear directly from the guest curatorium and the featured artists in The Neighbour at the Gate.
The Neighbour at the Gate | Artist Talks Archive
Jacky Cheng in conversation with Zali Morgan
Hear artist Jacky Cheng in conversation with exhibition co-curator Zali Morgan.
In the talk, Jacky discusses her commissioned installation Imaginary Homelands (2025) inspired by her Malyasian-Chinese ancestry and the paifang gate (牌坊), a form of traditional Chinese architecture which symbolically allows a person to pass from the mundane to the sacred in a liminal space. Cheng draws on the symbolism of the gate, as both a transitory space suggestive of travel or migration, and a structure that regulates movement to either welcome or exclude, offering passage and protection.
Elham Eshraghian-Haakansson in conversation with Dr. Kamran Eshraghian
Hear Iranian-Australian artist Elham Eshraghian-Haakansson in conversation with her father Dr. Kamran Eshraghian, facilitated by exhibition co-curator Zali Morgan.
They discuss Elham’s commissioned video installation God of War (2025) which reflects on the search for home amidst displacement, and experiences of love in its many forms.
Jenna Mayilema Lee in conversation with Christopher Bandirra Lee
Hear Gulumerridjin (Larrakia) Wardaman and KarraJarri woman artist Jenna Mayilema Lee in conversation with her father Christopher Bandirra Lee, facilitated by lead exhibition curator Clothilde Bullen OAM.
They discuss Jenna’s commissioned installation Portal to the Bangarr (billabong) (2025) which reflects on transitional spaces that transcend physical boundaries, using water—and specifically the bangarr or billabong—as a metaphor for deep cultural connection and shared histories around food and ritual.
James Nguyen in conversation with Nguyễn Công Chính and Nhung Kim Thị Nguyễn
Hear artist James Nguyen in conversation with his uncle Nguyễn Công Chính and aunty Nhung Kim Thị Nguyễn, facilitated by lead exhibition curator Clothilde Bullen OAM.
In the talk, they discuss James’ commissioned installation Homeopathies_where new trees grow (2025), a work about ritual and resilience, tied to James’ Vietnamese family heritage and the environmental impacts of Agent Orange in Vietnam and Australia.
Dennis Golding in conversation with Michael Do
Hear Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay artist Dennis Golding in conversation with exhibition co-curator Michael Do.
Together they discuss Dennis’ commissioned artwork Bingo (2025), a large constellation of etchings reflecting ideas about forged spaces of belonging and resistance. Drawing from personal memories of growing up on Gadigal Country in Redfern, Sydney, Golding’s work highlights collective Aboriginal narratives and the ongoing impacts of colonisation in Australia.
Artists and Curators Panel Talk
Hear directly from The Neighbour at the Gate artists and curators in a panel talk chaired by acclaimed journalist Nakari Thorpe, unpacking the themes of the exhibition.
With Jacky Cheng, Elham Eshraghian-Haakansson, Dennis Golding (Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay), Jenna Mayilema Lee (Gulumerridjin (Larrakia), Wardaman, KarraJarri) and James Nguyen in conversation with Clothilde Bullen OAM (Wardandi Noongar and Badimaya Yamatji), Micheal Do and Zali Morgan (Whadjuk Balladong and Wilman Noongar).
Nakari Thorpe is a Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Gooreng Gooreng woman from Victoria and Queensland. She is a presenter and Indigenous Communities reporter with ABC News in Sydney, providing coverage across television, radio and digital. She previously worked as a multi-platform reporter with SBS and NITV covering federal politics in the Canberra Press Gallery at Parliament House and national Indigenous affairs.
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.
Aug 21
Don’t miss the last chance to enrol in a ceramics workshop at NAS in 2025.
Places are still available in three ceramics Spring Weekend Workshops with incredible artist-educators Trisha Dean, Tania Rollond and Sassy Park.
Early discount extended to 29 August, enrol today at the link in bio.
Aug 21
Apply for the Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) and secure your place at the National Art School before you get your ATAR!
Our admissions are based on your interview and portfolio. We`re interested in your artistic potential, not your ATAR.
Mature age students and students who are not Year 12 are encouraged to apply to our main admission round before Thursday 20 November.
To learn more about preparing your portfolio or what it`s like to have your own studio space at NAS, come chat with our friendly staff and faculty at our Open Day. (RSVP link in bio)
Music by NAS Alum @harrison_chao
Aug 20
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)
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(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
Aug 19
We’re Hiring!
Painting Technician - Application Deadline Sunday 7 September
Under the direction of the Head of Painting and lecturing staff of the department, the Painting Technician is responsible for the resourcing, maintenance and upkeep of the studios and equipment of the department; the implementation of effective studio process and procedures, and the demonstration/monitoring of safe and appropriate use of studio equipment and resources. The Painting Technician is responsible for resourcing and supporting the delivery of all Painting programs including Degree Programs, Public Programs short courses, and Education Outreach programs and workshops.
Sales and Events Coordinator - Application Deadline Sunday 7 September
The Sales and Events Coordinator plays a key role in promoting and coordinating commercial venue hire at the National Art School (NAS), located on a unique and historic heritage-listed campus in Darlinghurst. The role is responsible for managing client enquiries, preparing event plans and quotes, and ensuring client needs are clearly scoped and communicated — without exceeding agreed service levels or budgets.
Facilities Assistant – Application Deadline Sunday 31 August
The Facilities Assistant provides general facilities support across the campus heritage buildings, undertaking all general maintenance on buildings, grounds, plant, and equipment, as well as preventative maintenance. Work is planned through maintenance schedules as well as daily reactive work, prioritising and escalating urgent matters as appropriate. If you’re practical, reliable, and ready to contribute to a creative, purpose-driven environment, we’d love to hear from you.
Visit the link in bio to learn more.
Aug 18
Which is the deadliest of ringers? 👀
First year BFA Photomedia students opened `Dead Ringers: Photographic Remake` exhibition on Thursday.
The exhibition continues until this Saturday in the Hoff Space. Visit us this weekend to explore 45 photographs that take Jean-Luc Godard`s words as one of the creative prompts: `It’s not where you take things from—it’s where you take them to."
The Rayner Hoff Project Space will be open from 11am–5pm. Don`t forget to also visit `The Neighbour at the Gate` in NAS Gallery, now open on Sundays 11am-5pm.
Aug 14
