NAS Retake: Guy Maestri

NAS Retake: Guy Maestri

2020-07-12

Guy Maestri graduated from the National Art School with a BFA, Hons (painting) in 2003. In 2016, he made his first painted bronze works in a series called xerox and the sculptures Maestri donated to NAS, Innocent X and Gould (2017), are from this series. The artist has said that he wanted the works to mirror the material values of the 21st century. It looks like the sculptures are made from an impermanent and malleable plasticine however in fact they are cast in bronze, a material which naturally aligns itself with the traditional medium of the portrait bust.

Inspired by Bernini’s bust of Pope Innocent X and a portrait of ornithologist John Gould, Maestri has removed their facial features, in an expressive gouging of clay, and spray painted them in soft colours of powder blue and cadmium yellow. He has retained the formal shape of the shoulders, hair and hat, and shown concern with ideas surrounding time and permanency. The artist questions whether there is a place for the classical bust in contemporary art and society, or whether its tradition, practice and materiality is waning. He also asks whether it is still suitable for artists to make everlasting effigies.

The painting After Hopper was donated to NAS in 2018. It is the artist’s first oil painting and was produced at the National Art School whilst the artist was in John Bloomfield’s painting class in 2001. The painting draws on a work entitled The Lighthouse at Two Lights by Edward Hopper (1929), held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Like Hopper, Maestri has isolated the lighthouse against the blue sky from a viewpoint that is below the building.

Now a member of the National Art School’s Board of Directors, Guy Maestri recalls his first day on campus as a student. ‘When I walked through the gates of the re-purposed gaol that is the National Art School, on my first day back in early 2000, I knew I had truly found my place. I found people of my ilk condensed within its now protective walls; all of us energised and encouraged to think, explore and make. I found a productive, enlivened place that had long ago redressed its former purpose’ (Maestri, 2018)

Want to find out more?

Keep your eyes peeled on our page as we feature new works and artists straight from the NAS Archive and Collection. Follow the hashtag on Instagram to stay up-to-date with our latest posts.

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Images: Guy Maestri, Innocent X, 2017, painted bronze, 66 x 46 x 26 cm, National Art School Collection, donated by the artist through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2018 © the artist; Guy Maestri, Gould, 2017, painted bronze, 67 x 40 x 22 cm, National Art School Collection, donated by the artist through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2018 © the artist; Guy Maestri, After Hopper, 2001, oil on cardboard, 35 x 22 cm, National Art School Collection, donated by the artist through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2018 © the artist

Today is ‘Take Your Dog to Work’ day! And we`ve brought the whole kennel, courtesy of the National Art School Collection.

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Frank Pearson (Captain Starlight), ‘Two dogs, a white donkey and sailing boats’, 1890, watercolour on paper, Gift of Allan Harding to the NAS Archive & Collection; Margaret Woodward, ‘Dog (Bull Mastiff)’, 1997, watercolour and ink on paper, Gift of Britt Clapson to the NAS Archive & Collection; Bruce Latimer, ‘Gardens full of dogs’, 1973, screenprint on paper edition AP, Gift of Bruce Latimer to the NAS Archive & Collection; Lorna Nimmo ‘Sleeping dog’, pencil on paper; Vivienne Littlejohn, ‘It’s a Dog’s Life’, 1983, woodcut on paper, Gift of Joy Dandie to the NAS Archive & Collection; image courtesy the artists and National Art School © artists.

From the National Art School Collection. The Collection performs a major role within the National Art School, both as a teaching resource and historical record. Visit our website to find out more about the works in our collection.

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Jun 20

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Today is ‘Take Your Dog to Work’ day! And we've brought the whole kennel, courtesy of the National Art School Collection.

—
Frank Pearson (Captain Starlight), ‘Two dogs, a white donkey and sailing boats’, 1890, watercolour on paper, Gift of Allan Harding to the NAS Archive & Collection; Margaret Woodward, ‘Dog (Bull Mastiff)’, 1997, watercolour and ink on paper, Gift of Britt Clapson to the NAS Archive & Collection; Bruce Latimer, ‘Gardens full of dogs’, 1973, screenprint on paper edition AP, Gift of Bruce Latimer to the NAS Archive & Collection; Lorna Nimmo ‘Sleeping dog’, pencil on paper; Vivienne Littlejohn, ‘It’s a Dog’s Life’, 1983, woodcut on paper, Gift of Joy Dandie to the NAS Archive & Collection; image courtesy the artists and National Art School © artists.

From the National Art School Collection. The Collection performs a major role within the National Art School, both as a teaching resource and historical record. Visit our website to find out more about the works in our collection.

Last days to make a tax deductible donation and support the next generation of artists through the Pathways Program.

Your donation this EOFY is vital to help us build a more inclusive and vibrant arts community. Your donation supports a range of programs such as the Student Hardship Fund, Scholarships and Residencies. Help create crucial pathways for talented artists.

Visit link in bio to donate now.

`I think when you walk into the campus, it feels like a sanctuary for a lot of people.` (Samuel Chan, NAS Alumnus 2024)

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Jun 19

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Last days to make a tax deductible donation and support the next generation of artists through the Pathways Program.

Your donation this EOFY is vital to help us build a more inclusive and vibrant arts community. Your donation supports a range of programs such as the Student Hardship Fund, Scholarships and Residencies. Help create crucial pathways for talented artists.

Visit link in bio to donate now.

'I think when you walk into the campus, it feels like a sanctuary for a lot of people.' (Samuel Chan, NAS Alumnus 2024)

We are seeking candidates with strong experience in the areas of extensive audit, governance or philanthropy experience, and strong art and education sector knowledge to join the National Art School Board of Directors.

Our mission is to be a centre of excellence for the provision of higher education and research, scholarship and professional practice in the visual arts and related fields. Members of the Board play a vital role in long-term strategic planning and providing expert advice and support to the shareholding members and Director (CEO) on any matter relating to the school.

Visit I work for NSW website to express your interest (link in bio).

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Jun 18

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We are seeking candidates with strong experience in the areas of extensive audit, governance or philanthropy experience, and strong art and education sector knowledge to join the National Art School Board of Directors.

Our mission is to be a centre of excellence for the provision of higher education and research, scholarship and professional practice in the visual arts and related fields. Members of the Board play a vital role in long-term strategic planning and providing expert advice and support to the shareholding members and Director (CEO) on any matter relating to the school.

Visit I work for NSW website to express your interest (link in bio).

A new student-led, artist-run initiative joined our campus!

‘Pinpoint’ student collective (@nas_pinpoint) reactivates the notice boards outside Building 27 printmaking facility with micro-exhibitions of student work, offering students a chance to share their practice in a low-pressure, highly visible way within the student community.

Artwork by @jubohlephoto
Supported by @nas_src_official & @cafe.nas

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Jun 17

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A new student-led, artist-run initiative joined our campus!

‘Pinpoint’ student collective (@nas_pinpoint) reactivates the notice boards outside Building 27 printmaking facility with micro-exhibitions of student work, offering students a chance to share their practice in a low-pressure, highly visible way within the student community.

Artwork by @jubohlephoto
Supported by @nas_src_official & @cafe.nas

`Being at NAS, they were the best three years of my life so far` (Rosemary Lee, NAS Alumna 2018)

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.

Visit link in bio to find out what your donation today could achieve tomorrow.

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Jun 16

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'Being at NAS, they were the best three years of my life so far' (Rosemary Lee, NAS Alumna 2018)

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.

Visit link in bio to find out what your donation today could achieve tomorrow.

We are delighted to announce Margaret Ambridge`s work `Cheek by jowl` (2024) as the winner of the People’s Choice Award for the 24th Dobell Drawing Prize. A huge congratulations to Margaret, who also won the People`s Choice Award for the 23rd Dobell Drawing Prize in 2023.

Margaret shares:

‘My primary practice is drawing. To have three very different, some say demanding, works exploring the human condition accepted for the Dobell Drawing Prize over the years is such a rare privilege and wonderful recognition of my artwork. For many years I have struggled with drawing’s place in my art practice. To me there always seems to be an external pressure suggesting that drawing is a pathway to something ‘bigger’ like a painting or a sculpture. The longevity and gravitas of the Dobell demands that drawing be seen as the final work in its own right. It’s been a long journey from drawing at the kitchen table as a child with my mother, an artist in her own right.’

See Margaret`s winning work in this final week of the 24th Dobell Drawing Prize at NAS Gallery, closing Saturday 21 June 2025.

Plan your visit at the link in bio.
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Opening night of the 24th Dobell Drawing Prize, National Art School Gallery, Sydney, 2025, image courtesy and © the artists and National Art School, photograph: Nicole Anderson; Margaret Ambridge, ‘Cheek by jowl’, 2024, charcoal and rainwater on paper, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Mark Fitz-Gerald

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Jun 13

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NAS Retake: Guy Maestri