NAS 100
The exhibition, public programs and a new book reveal and respond to the incredible stories and events that have taken place here, and the many people including infamous inmates such as bushranger Captain Starlight, and generations of Australia’s most significant artists who have studied and worked here over the past 100 years.
The exhibitions have been largely drawn from the NAS Archive and Collection. They include many historic items and artworks never seen before in public, such as artworks by prisoners who showed remarkable talent, the original revolver wielded by a prison governor in the 1800s, and responses to the site by NAS alumni. CAPTIVATE is a celebration and exploration of this extraordinary site in the middle of Sydney. Always on Gadigal land, it transformed from a place of incarceration and misery into a dynamic hub of learning, imagination, and inspiration, now an oasis of art and creativity open to everyone.
We look forward to sharing our stories with you.
EXHIBITIONS
SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER – SUNDAY 30 OCTOBER
Monday – Sunday, 11am–5pm
Free entry, all welcome
Darlinghurst Gaol, Forbes Street gate c1880s, National Art School Collection
CAPTIVATE: Darlinghurst Gaol
NAS Gallery Ground Floor
Dedicated to the Darlinghurst Gaol’s fascinating and turbulent history, with original items and artworks never before seen in public.
Frank Littler, Art in an Art School 1971, Manly Art Gallery & Museum Collection. Gift of Penny Coleing through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 1998
CAPTIVATE: 100 years of The National Art School
NAS Gallery First Floor
Covering 100 years of the art school on this site, including iconic teachers, celebrated alumni, NAS in wartime, art parties and protests.
Frank Hinder, Untitled (students in classroom) 1971, National Art School Collection. Gift of Enid Hawkins, 2012
CAPTIVATE: First Sight
The Drawing Gallery
This new space dedicated to drawing presents a century of diverse drawing works created by NAS teachers, students and alumni.
Plaster casts in the National Art School Collection. Photo Lorraine Kypiotis
CAPTIVATE: Making Art
Rayner Hoff Project Space
A celebration of the process of making art across different disciplines, including NAS’s unique collection of plaster relief models.
OPENING WEEK AND WEEKEND
SATURDAY 24 – SUNDAY 25 SEPTEMBER
10am–5pm
Free entry, all welcome
OPENING NIGHT
Friday 23 September 6–10pm
NAS Galleries
Free, bookings essential
Join us for the opening of CAPTIVATE an exciting program of exhibitions and activities across our heritage-listed campus that explores the rich legacy of stories from the National Art School (NAS) and the former Darlinghurst Gaol, and acknowledges the Gadigal Peoples of the Eora Nations’ continuing connection to the NAS site with First Peoples stories and perspectives.
BOOK LAUNCH
Saturday 24 September 11am
Cell Block Theatre
FREE, BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
Join CAPTIVATE: Stories from The National Art School and Darlinghurst Gaol author and NAS Archivist, Deborah Beck and contributing author, journalist, television presenter and former book publisher, Jennifer Byrne in conversation and discover little known facts about the history of the Darlinghurst Gaol and the National Art School.
GAOL TOURS
Sat 24 and Sun 25 Sept
10am & 2pm
$30, bookings essential. Meet at Forbes Street Entrance
The former Darlinghurst gaol is one of Australia’s oldest and best preserved examples of colonial sandstone architecture, which over the last two centuries has transformed from a place of abject misery to one of Australia’s premier arts institutes. Join us for a lively historical tour, shedding light on the fascinating history of the site and exposing dark, hidden corners.
DROP IN AND DRAW
SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER, 12-3pm
Rayner Hoff Project Space
Free. No bookings required.
Drop-in with your friends and family to the CAPTIVATE exhibition in the Rayner Hoff Project Space to draw from plaster relief models at your own pace. Drawing teacher Noel Thurgate will be available to provide suggestions along the way. All drawing materials provided.
NAS HEADS OF DEPARTMENT PANEL DISCUSSION
Saturday 24 September 2pm
NAS Galleries
Free, bookings essential
Join Deputy Director and Head of Studies Simon Cooper and NAS Heads of Department: Dr Michael Hill, Dr Maryanne Coutts, Lorraine Kypiotis, Dr Stephen Little and Lynda Draper as they respond to the CAPTIVATE exhibition and discuss the ongoing commitment to artists, alumni and contemporary art practices at The National Art School.
POETRY READINGS
Saturday 24 September 3pm
NAS Galleries
Free, bookings essential
Commissioned poet, Dr. Saba Vasefi presents her poetic reflections on the hybrid form of imprisonment in response to the CAPTIVATE: The National Art School and Darlinghurst Gaol exhibition. Dr. Vasefi is a multi-award-winning scholar-journalist and documentary filmmaker who teaches at the University of Sydney, Macquarie University, and the University of Canberra. As a human rights journalist in Iran, she advocated for the rights of women and children on death row. In 2010, she fled the fundamentalist regime in Iran. Dr Vasefi has written three poems entitled Soliloquy, The Memory Orchard and The Keys in response to material in this exhibition including a Gaol photograph of manacles hanging from bars on a window, a “ Silence Please” sign, Two Hangman’s Ropes and 3 Iron Gaol Keys.
KIDS ART TRAIL
Available during the exhibition
Available from NAS Gallery and the Forbes Street Information Desk
Free!
Pick up a free Kids Art Trail and complete the challenges around the site of the old Darlinghurst Gaol and in the CAPTIVATE: The National Art School and Darlinghurst Gaol exhibition to learn more about the amazing stories of inmates, bushrangers and artists. Collect a Captivate sticker from the NAS Gallery once completed.
Henry Louis Bertrand, Darlinghurst Gaol, 1891, watercolour. Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
SPRING CENTENARY WEEKEND WORKSHOPS
Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 October
Enrol in an exciting, intensive weekend of artmaking! Choose from eleven different workshops to build your creative skills and engage with the beauty and history of the NAS campus.
EVENTS
GAOL TOURS
Tuesdays and Sundays
10am & 2pm
$30, bookings essential. Meet at Forbes Street Entrance
The former Darlinghurst gaol is one of Australia’s oldest and best preserved examples of colonial sandstone architecture, which over the last two centuries has transformed from a place of abject misery to one of Australia’s premier arts institutes. Join us for a lively historical tour, shedding light on the fascinating history of the site and exposing dark, hidden corners.
ART FORUM
NAS Gallery
Wednesday 12 October 12.45pm
Free, No bookings required
Join CAPTIVATE: Stories from The National Art School and Darlinghurst Gaol author, NAS Archivist and Curator of CAPTIVATE Deborah Beck for art forum. The exhibition, public programs and a new book reveal and respond to the incredible stories and events that have taken place here, and the many people including infamous inmates such as bushranger Captain Starlight, and generations of Australia’s most significant artists who have studied and worked here over the past 100 years.
CENTENARY ART AUCTION AND GALA
Cell Block Theatre
Friday 14 October 6:30pm
Tickets $300
The Art Auction and Gala will raise funds for our First Peoples and Outreach programs. Our First Peoples program focusses on increasing Indigenous student enrolment through Indigenous lecturer positions, scholarships and regional engagement projects. Our Outreach program enhances student learning and alumni opportunity by developing facilities in Hill End, Paris and New York. The auction will feature artworks by esteemed Australian artists, including Guido Maestri, Elisabeth Cummings, Eliza Gosse, Tony Albert, Seth Birchall, and Wendy Sharpe.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Site and History Panel Discussion
Thursday 20 October, 5-6.30pm
NAS Galleries
Stephanie Parkin (Panel Facilitator) with Associate Professor Fabri Blacklock, Scientia Fellow, UNSW School of Art and Design, Hayley Pigrim and Jo-Anne Driessens, Artists in the Black Coordinator, Arts Law Centre of Australia
This panel discussion will highlight the obvious and complex relationships that exist between People, Site and history especially the ongoing impact that colonisation has on Indigenous people and Culture.
Each panel member has extensive expertise and experience the Indigenous Arts Ecology from a local to National and International perspective including the issues that impact Indigenous Australians in the creative industry and learning institutions.
Curator-led Highlights Tours
Thursday 29 September
11.30am
Free, bookings essential
Join Gallery Manager and Senior Curator, Katrina Cashman in conversation with First Peoples Programs Coordinator Georgia Mokak (Djugun) for a Curator-led highlights tour of the CAPTIVATE: The National Art School and Darlinghurst Gaol exhibition.
Thursday 6 October
11.30am
Free, bookings essential
Join a Curator-led highlights tour of the CAPTIVATE: The National Art School and Darlinghurst Gaol exhibition with CAPTIVATE Curator and Drawing Teacher Joe Frost.
Thursday 13 October
11.30am
Free, bookings essential
Join a Curator-led highlights tour of the CAPTIVATE: The National Art School and Darlinghurst Gaol exhibition with CAPTIVATE Curator and NAS Archivist Deborah Beck.
Thursday 20 October
11.30am
Free, bookings essential
Join a Curator-led highlights tour of the CAPTIVATE: The National Art School and Darlinghurst Gaol exhibition with CAPTIVATE Curator Sonia Legge.
Thursday 27 October
11.30am
Free, bookings essential
Join a Curator-led highlights tour of the CAPTIVATE: The National Art School and Darlinghurst Gaol exhibition with CAPTIVATE Curator Vivienne Webb.
SHORT COURSES
Enrol in an exciting, intensive weekend of artmaking! Choose from eleven different workshops to build your creative skills and engage with the beauty and history of the NAS campus.
Henry Louis Bertrand, Darlinghurst Gaol, 1891, watercolour. Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
SPRING CENTENARY WEEKEND WORKSHOPS
Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 October
PUBLICATION
CAPTIVATE: Stories from The National Art School and Darlinghurst Gaol
$50 available to purchase from NAS Galleries front desk or online here.
Author: Deborah Beck, contributions from Jennifer Byrne, Lorraine Kypiotis and Jacqui Taffel
CAPTIVATE: Stories from the National Art School and Darlinghurst Gaol reveals some of the incredible stories ‘behind the walls’, including infamous inmates such as the bushranger Captain Starlight, through to the many famous artists that have shaped the National Art School over the past 100 years; its influential academic staff, life models, commercial and graphic designers, unsung women artists and of course the incredible legacy of its alumni, featuring many of Australia’s most significant artists.
This holiday season, give the gift of creativity.
Whether your loved one is eager to begin their artistic journey, or they wish to continue learning and making art, a National Art School Gift Card will help them unlock their creative potential.
Give a gift that inspires. Buy a National Art School Gift Card today.
Learn more at the link in bio.
Dec 19
A selection of works by our graduating BFA students currently on show at The Grad Show, on until 15 December at NAS Galleries.
—
Learn more about the artists and view available works at the link in bio.
—
Kaela Jacobs, ‘Tough. (A series of delicate things. I am one of them.)’, 2024, aluminium, silver keyrings, synthetic hair, rivets, 121 x 90 cm
Ellie Pamp, ‘Untitled (Faun series) #2’, 2024, oil on wood board, 20 x 25 cm
Ksenia Kirkbride, ‘Serpent`s Cycle, The Path to Wisdom’, 2024, oil on linen, 100 x 100 cm
James Stewart, ‘sandcastles (mound)’, 2024, terracotta, white earthenware slip, 50 x 49 x 50 cm
Jodie McGill, ‘In conversation with Les’, 2024, oil on Belgium linen, 122 x 91.5 cm
Mitchell Timms, ‘Garden of Odd’, 2024, watercolour and graphite drawing, 21 x 15 cm
Dean O’Brien, ‘The Dear Repose For Limbs With Travel Tired’, 2024, oil on canvas, 91 x 61 x 4 cm
Chaya Atkins, ‘Veil’, 2024, oil on canvas, 80 x 100 cm
Alba Stephen, ‘Small Size Me (CMYK edition)’, 2024, screenprint with acrylic on paper, 19 x 19 cm
Bronte O’Shannessy, ‘Warmth’, 2024, mixed media, 70 x 70 cm
Dec 13
A selection of works by our graduating BFA students currently on show at The Grad Show, on until 15 December at NAS Galleries.
—
Learn more about the artists and view available works at the link in bio.
—
Jacinta Robinson, ‘Sacred Hollow’, 2024, acrylic on raw canvas, 122 x 152 cm
Harriet Clark, ‘Mum21’, 2024, glazed stoneware, 46 x 24 x 24 cm
Libby Moore, ‘Keep me safe’, 2024, plaster of paris, 26 x 14 x 7cm (boxed)
Jeremy Rotenstein, ‘Rose Metal’, 2024, cast metal and sandstone, 38 x 32 x 7 cm
Harrison Chao, ‘Node 4 (Open)’, 2024, oil on canvas, 90 x 120 cm
Gitte Backhausen, ‘Repercussions’, 2024, acrylic on found wooden pegboard, 90 x 60 cm
Gabriel Suni Sallo, ‘Plaza de Armas II’, 2024, acrylic and oil on wooden panel, 120 x 107 x 2.5 cm
Ariel Filler, ‘Pop and Skip’, 2024, oil, acrylic, dry pigment and glue on canvas, 110 x 97 x 2 cm
Sevgi Yilmaz, ‘Residue’, 2024, spray paint on dropcloth, 80 x 45.5 cm
Shauna Carroll, ‘Sacrifice of Andromeda’, 2024, oil on board, 90 cm
Dec 13
A selection of works by our graduating BFA students currently on show at The Grad Show, on until 15 December at NAS Galleries.
—
Learn more about the artists and view available works at the link in bio.
—
Francisca Carrasco-Reyes, ‘Bleeding Light’, 2024, latex on stretched polyester, 74 x 49.5 cm
Samira El Chami, ‘Fruits’, 2024, glazed stoneware, 8.5 x 18.2 x 15.5 cm
Grace Buckley, ‘Blossom’, 2024, canvas, upholstery, fringe, pins, 70 x 41 cm
Harriet Brealey, ‘Wraith’, 2024, etching on Fabriano Rosapina, 49.5 x 35 cm
Ruby McVicar, ‘Go (extension)’, 2024, wooden guillotine, mint pasties, licorice, brass cups, polymer clay, plastic binder, paper, 6 x 34 x 56 cm
Trey Martin, ‘Hallow Bone’, 2024, earthenware, paint, 40 x 25 x 25 cm
Stephanie Barakat, ‘Colonoscocave’, 2024, oil on canvas, 91 x 118 x 4.2 cm
Karim Fares, ‘Pipes’, 2024, plywood, construction adhesive, acrylic paint, spray paint, alcohol markers, PVA, collected stickers, superglue, collected tiles, PVC piping, prop rubber mouse, 20 x 24.5 cm
Olivia Lindgaard, ‘Modern Prey’, 2024, found wood, 165 x 150 x 60 cm
Chloe Lane, ‘Mighty Atom, 2024, oil and acrylic on canvas, 122 x 91 cm
Dec 13
On Tuesday 10 December, the National Art School celebrated the achievements and success of our students through awarding of prizes and scholarships. We would like to congratulate the award recipients for their hard work and thank our lecturers and technicians for their outstanding dedication and commitment to each and every student.
All of the prizes and scholarships awarded have been generously provided by our benefactors and sponsors, and we also thank you for your support.
Major Prize winners (pictured left to right): Oliver Abbott, Caleb Slater, Megan McKenzie, Freyja Fristad, Sarah R. Serfati, Ellen McCalmont, Benjamin Akuila, Chile Bainbridge, Elena Larkin. Photography by Peter Morgan.
View the full list of awards and recipients at the link in bio.
Dec 11
