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NAS Retake: Karla Dickens

NAS Connect

NAS Retake: Karla Dickens

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Karla Dickens is an artist of Wiradjuri, Irish and German heritage, whose work challenges notions associated with gender, inequality, race and violence against Aboriginal women. Her work courageously tackles confronting issues and enables conversations about Aboriginal disadvantage that continues to exist in contemporary Australian society. She incorporates her own text and poetry to emphasise the message and support her artwork. In 2018 Dickens made a body of work that referenced ‘the lucky country”, a phrase coined by Donald Horne in 1964. Dickens stated ‘I was grateful and relieved to find that Donald Horne was ironically condemning Australia for its complacency and failure to acknowledge its history. My playful and straight-forward observation is that you are lucky in Australia if you are white and a bastard if you are Aboriginal.’ (Dickens, 2018)

Unlucky II and Unlucky IV are assemblages on board made from rusty oil and petrol cans that Dickens found whilst rummaging in a dump near a closed Aboriginal mission-camp. Renowned for her practice of repurposing everyday items, she has placed these objects together with text; the oil cans remind us of the conflicts between white colonisers who seized Aboriginal land and exploited it, impervious to the systematic abuse and oppression of traditional owners. Dickens uses the words ‘Unlucky’ and ‘OUT’ (of luck) in relation to the people who never enjoyed the benefits of the so-called ‘lucky country’. However ironic Horne was being with his terminology, he probably was not thinking about Australia’s first people; but if he had been, he would have agreed that they were indeed out of luck.

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Images: Karla Dickens, Unlucky II and Unlucky IV, 2017, mixed media, 110 cm x 110 cm, National Art School Collection, gift of Karla Dickens, 2018

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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

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Feb 2

Open
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. — 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

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.

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Jan 30

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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.

Don’t miss out! This is your last chance to apply for our BFA degree for 2025. Applications for our final round close Sunday 26 January.

Apply now at the link in bio.

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Jan 23

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Don’t miss out! This is your last chance to apply for our BFA degree for 2025. Applications for our final round close Sunday 26 January. Apply now at the link in bio.

Set your child on a creative path with Art Club Term 1 - Drawing.

They’ll spend Tuesday afternoons developing their skills in this drawing fundamentals program that covers still life, portraiture, and experimental drawing.

Learn more at the link in bio.

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Jan 22

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Set your child on a creative path with Art Club Term 1 - Drawing. They’ll spend Tuesday afternoons developing their skills in this drawing fundamentals program that covers still life, portraiture, and experimental drawing. Learn more at the link in bio.

We’re Hiring!

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Exhibitions Project Officer - Application Deadline Sunday 2 February

The Exhibitions Project Officer is a member of the NAS Galleries Curatorial Team and provides administrative and operational support to the National Art School’s Galleries exhibition programs. It has a focus on major Indigenous exhibition projects currently in development for the National Art School as well as touring programs. Please note this is part time, three day a week, fixed term contract until 19 December 2025.

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Digital Marketer - Application Deadline Sunday 2 February

The Digital Marketer plays an important role in coordinating the marketing and communication activities that drive degree recruitment, short course attendance, public program participation, exhibition promotion, brand positioning and alumni engagement. You will have a thorough understanding of marketing principles with a focus on digital media channels and e-communications.

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Visit the link in bio to learn more.

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Jan 21

Open
We’re Hiring! — Exhibitions Project Officer - Application Deadline Sunday 2 February The Exhibitions Project Officer is a member of the NAS Galleries Curatorial Team and provides administrative and operational support to the National Art School’s Galleries exhibition programs. It has a focus on major Indigenous exhibition projects currently in development for the National Art School as well as touring programs. Please note this is part time, three day a week, fixed term contract until 19 December 2025. — Digital Marketer - Application Deadline Sunday 2 February The Digital Marketer plays an important role in coordinating the marketing and communication activities that drive degree recruitment, short course attendance, public program participation, exhibition promotion, brand positioning and alumni engagement. You will have a thorough understanding of marketing principles with a focus on digital media channels and e-communications. — Visit the link in bio to learn more.
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