Art Guide: NAS Alumna Karla Dickens on crisis situations
Three generations of queer artists make and break language across the intersections of art, activism, poetry and performance in ‘Queer Contemporary: Chaosophy’, as part of Mardi Gras 2025.
Through their individual aesthetics and distinct voices, together the artists disrupt histories, languages, conventional silences and institutional spaces, using and queering language to propose alternate perspectives on and interpretations of identity and ways of being.
Opening night Thursday 13 February, with special guests Swamp Daisies.
RSVP at link in the bio.
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Sam Chan, ‘Transfiguration’, 2024, Chillagoe White Pearl marble, mild steel, incense, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Jennifer Leahy (Silversalt)
Ali Tahayori, ’The four elements: fire, earth, water, air (detail)’, 2022, hand cut mirrors plaster on wood, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Daniel Kukec Photography
nikita lelu, ’I drip into a bath and drift’, 2024, glazed mid-fire paperclay, underglaze, terra sigillata, silver, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Jennifer Leahy (Silversalt Photography)
Magic Young, ‘Evulva’, 2024, nylon, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Jennifer Leahy (Silversalt)
Feb 6
We’re looking for an Exhibitions Project Officer!
The role has a focus on major Indigenous exhibition projects currently in development for the National Art School as well as touring programs. The role assists with the delivery and coordination of Gallery programs, talks, and other events in the gallery spaces.
You have a background in visual art, art history, curatorship and gallery experience. You have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, along with strong organisational and project management experience.
Note this is an Identified Role and is open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants only, in accordance with Section 14(D) of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act, 1977 NSW.
Application deadline extended to Sunday 9 February.
Apply at the link in bio.
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Ronan Pirozzi, `Serpentine`, 2023; `Trajectory`, 2023; `Desolate`, 2023; installation view, undo the day, NAS Gallery, Sydney, 2024, oil on welded steel, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Zan Wimberley
Feb 2
The National Art School has today announced respected Australian academic, writer and curator Dr Kristen Sharp as the next Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Kristen joins the National Art School with extensive experience in the fields of contemporary art and tertiary education having spent six years as Associate Dean Discipline, Art in the School of Art at RMIT University, and previously 9 years as Academic Lead Art History and Theory at RMIT. She will commence her new role at the National Art School on 24th February 2025.
Read the full media release at the link in bio.
Jan 30
Opening Night — ‘Queer Contemporary: Chaosophy’
Join us Thursday 13 February for the opening night of ‘Queer Contemporary: Chaosophy’, an exhibition that brings together three generations of queer artists who make and break language across the intersections of art, activism, poetry and performance; as part of Mardi Gras 2025.
Curated by Dr Liz Bradshaw, with work by artists Kika Kereru Baker, Daniel Browning, Sam Chan, Blake Griffiths, Frankie L.A, nikita lelu, r e a, Victoria Spence, Jake Starr, Ali Tahayori, Magic Young and Justine Youssef.
With special guests Swamp Daisies.
RSVP at link in the bio.
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r e a, ’GARI (language) (detail)’, 2024-25, courtesy and © the artist
Justine Youssef, ‘Somewhat Eternal (detail)’, 2023, installation view, ACE, Adelaide, 2024, three channel synchronised video, embroidered faux mink blankets, Burnet Rose (Rosa spinosissima) hydrosol, Damask Rose (Rosa x damascena) hydrosol, Lebanese Cedar (Cedrus libani) hydrosol, Blessed Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) hydrosol, silver charms, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Sam Roberts
Kika Baker, `Pendulum`, 2024, plaster, ink, copper, found plastic, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Kika Baker
Blake Griffiths, ’Inhibitive Thoughts; stripping of the bark (detail)’, 2020, eucalyptus dyed woollen blanket, cotton, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Document Photography
Jake Starr, `A Weak & Panicked Animal`, 2024, installation view, Syrup Contemporary, Sydney, 2024, digital video, 4K, screen, construction fence, child safety straps, aluminium bench, lego, power cords, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Damien Dillon
Frankie L.A, `Pieces of`, 2024, worn machine made Persian rug, house paint, burnt wood, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Frankie L.A
Jan 24
