Article: Linda Morris
Image: James Alcock
Financial necessity first drove artist Karla Dickens to take up collage and sculpture for which she is now best known.
A trained painter from the National Art School, Dickens could not afford the oils and canvases to keep painting so began using found and recycled items to give vent to her frustrations around gender politics and racial injustice.
Opening night: The Neighbour at the Gate
Join us on Thursday 10 July for the opening night of The Neighbour at the Gate, a major exhibition at the National Art School Gallery, curated by a guest curatorium led by Clothilde Bullen (Wardandi Noongar and Badimaya Yamatji), with Micheal Do and Zali Morgan (Whadjuk Balladong and Wilman Noongar).
Bringing together newly commissioned works by leading Australian artists Jacky Cheng, Elham Eshraghian-Haakansson, Dennis Golding (Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay), Jenna Mayilema Lee (Gulumerridjin (Larrakia), Wardaman, KarraJarri), James Nguyen and James Tylor (Kaurna, Thura-Yura language region), the exhibition reckons with the echoes of immigration policies and the legacies of Colonialism in Australia, unravelling how these forces continue to shape First Nations and Asian Australian experiences and relationships.
Across various mediums and perspectives, The Neighbour at the Gate charts the entangled legacies of exclusion and resilience, drawing vital parallels between the past and present, memory and nationhood.
The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.
RSVP at the link in bio.
Jun 5
Burned trees build no homes.
Today we acknowledge World Environment Day with this work by alum Una Foster, now in the National Art School Collection.
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Una Foster, ‘Burned Trees Build No Homes’, c.1945, commercial print on paper; image courtesy the artist and National Art School © Una Foster. From the National Art School Collection.
Jun 5
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.
Jun 4
Last Thursday, MFA Drawings opened their new exhibition `Dialogues` at the Library Stairwell gallery.
The Library Stairwell Gallery is a dedicated space in the Library for NAS student exhibitions. BFA 2, BFA 3 and MFA students are eligible to apply to have a show in the Gallery. Follow @nas_library for forthcoming exhibition opening details.
The exhibition features works by @beth___any_s, James Grose, Talia Knedo, @ange_bateman_art, @lennylarkin, @vickichristinapotter, @luna.gui_, @gittebackhausenart, @marramarra__, @omimccurdie, @eri_dali, Ellen McCalmont, Sailor Kenard, @ng_malla and @nikita.lelu.
Jun 2
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.
Jun 1
Last Thursday, we celebrated Maryanne Coutts, Lynda Draper and Amanda Woollard (in absentia) as this year`s recipients of the Award for Distinguished Service.
We share a heartfelt thank you to Maryanne, Lynda, and Amanda for their contribution to our School and students.
May 30
