National Art (Part One) now on tour

National Art (Part One) now on tour

2020-11-02

The National Art School’s Archive and Collection is hitting the road! National Art (part one) will open at Tweed Regional Gallery on Friday 13 November 2020, running until Sunday 3 January 2021.

National Art (part one) presents a dynamic selection of artworks by 50 of Australia’s most significant artists who studied at NAS. As the school approaches 100 years on its Darlinghurst site (1922–2022) and over 175 years in operation, this exhibition celebrates some of the extraordinary artists it has trained over the past seven decades. The exhibition features recent artworks and early formative works by key alumni, and applauds the creative drive, skill and imagination of those who have emerged from the school’s historic sandstone walls to become artists of national significance.

National Art (part one) presents diverse approaches to artmaking bound by a common grounding in studio-based practice and a passionate commitment to experimentation. The artists’ approaches vary considerably, from abstract and expressive genres to experimentation with form, to cultural landscapes and political perspectives, Dada and the surreal, interior viewpoints and the everyday. The work demonstrates the key disciplines taught at NAS – ceramics, painting, photomedia, printmaking, sculpture – as well as inter-disciplinary practices utilising digital media, assemblage, performance and artists’ books.

Seven decades, 50 artists, 80 artworks.

Charles Blackman OBE, Les Blakebrough AM, Euphemia Bostock, Bill Brown, Mitch Cairns, Sophie Cape, Kevin Connor, Lucy Culliton, Elisabeth Cummings OAM, Karla Dickens, Ken Done AM, Merilyn Fairskye, Fiona Foley, Todd Fuller, Adrienne Gaha, Peter Godwin, Sarah Goffman, Fiona Hall AO, Michael Johnson, Alan Jones, Jan King, Juz Kitson, Ildiko Kovacs, Fiona Lowry, Guy Maestri, Tim Maguire, Dani McKenzie, Marie McMahon, Reg Mombassa (Chris O’Doherty), Idris Murphy, Catherine O’Donnell, Robert Owen, Peter Powditch AM, Les Rice, Joan Ross, Julie Rrap, Bill Samuels, Jeffrey Samuels, Luke Sciberras, Garry Shead, Gria Shead , Nicola Smith, Michael Snape, Tim Storrier AM, Ann Thomson, Ken Unsworth AM, Justine Varga, Guy Warren AM, Coen Young, Anne Zahalka.

Top image: Luke Sciberras, The Road from Momba, 2017, oil on board, 125 x 162 cm (framed), NAS Collection, donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program by the artist, 2018 © the artist

Images (in order of appearance): Lucy Culliton, Bibbenluke garden snow pear trees, 2009, oil on canvas, 130 x 130 cm © the artist; Fiona Hall AO, ESTC, 1973, handmade album, 28 silver gelatin prints © the artist; Ildiko Kovacs, Edging in (detail), 2015–17, oil on Masonite, 160 x 120 cm © the artist; Tim Maguire, Untitled 20091108 (detail), 2009, oil on canvas, 180 x 168 cm © the artist; Joan Ross, All You Can Eat Seafood Buffet I (detail), 2017, hand painted pigment print on cotton rag paper, triptych, 72.8 x 100 cm each panel © the artist. All work National Art School Collection, donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program by the artist, 2018

Join us at the Shared Skies Music Concert with BARKAA, Rainbow Chan and DJ Rocky Stallone, our major program event for the opening weekend of The Neighbour at the Gate. Held in the historic Cell Block Theatre, don’t miss this celebration of culture, identity and sound.

BARKAA @barkaa__ is a Malyangapa, Barkindji woman from western NSW, now living in south western Sydney on Gandangara land. Music has been part of BARKAA’s journey to express herself, the truth and issues impacting First Nations people. BARKAA has made a name for herself with her powerful delivery and lyrics, and her live shows are full of energy and raw intense emotion.

Rainbow Chan @chunyinrainbowchan is an award-winning vocalist, producer and multi-disciplinary artist. Driven by a DIY spirit, Chan melds catchy melodies and off-kilter beats made up of field-recordings and found sounds. Both heartbreaking and tender, her idiosyncratic brand of pop reflects diasporic experiences and deeply personal tales of love and loss.

Multi-hyphenate DJ, MC, podcaster and esteemed Ballroom community member of Samoan heritage, Rocky Stallone @rocky_stall0ne, is known for creating safe spaces and events for queer POC, gracing the decks at balls and functions across the country. Expect to hear a seamless mix of house, R&B, Baille funk, and more, including hot and heaving remixes that will wind your waist.

Saturday 12 July
8 – 10.30pm
Cell Block Theatre

Buy tickets at the link in bio.

View the full program of opening weekend events, including artist talks, artmaking workshops, and community activities, at nas.edu.au.

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Jun 26

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There`s still time to make a tax deductible donation towards our Pathways Program this EOFY.

To everyone who has already donated, thank you. Your support helps ensure the National Art School is accessible to people from all backgrounds.

Visit link in our bio today to find our more, and help us create crucial pathways to propel our students and alumni to become leading international artists.

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Jun 25

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There's still time to make a tax deductible donation towards our Pathways Program this EOFY.

To everyone who has already donated, thank you. Your support helps ensure the National Art School is accessible to people from all backgrounds.

Visit link in our bio today to find our more, and help us create crucial pathways to propel our students and alumni to become leading international artists.

The National Art School is saddened to hear of the passing of Fellow and alumnus Kevin Connor at the age of 92 (1932-2025).

In 1948, at the age of 16, he enrolled as a night student at what was then called East Sydney Technical College, while training as a commercial artist in the city. His employer paid the fees for his art classes.

In later years he recalled that he had a life changing experience at art school, when he realised that: ‘The nature of art is both enigmatic and non-commercial - a realisation that has stayed with me well into my old age.’

A prolific and dedicated artist, Kevin Connor held more than 70 solo exhibitions throughout his life, including exhibiting in the Archibald Prize over 25 times. Connor won the Archibald Prize in 1975 and 1977, the Sulman Prize in 1991 and 1997, and the Dobell Prize for Drawing in 1992 and 2005. He was the Harkness Fellow in New York from 1966 to 1968 and a Trustee of the Art Gallery of New South Wales from 1981 to 1987.

Connor was a much respected teacher, and he lectured in painting and drawing at the National Art School, among other colleges, between 1972 and 1987.
The first major survey of his work was held at the AGNSW in 1989. In 2006, Hendrik Kolenberg curated a major retrospective of Connor’s drawing, sculpture and painting at AGNSW.

In 2016, Connor was made a Fellow of the National Art School, and he donated works to the National Art School Collection when he was included in the exhibition ‘National Art: Part One’ in the NAS Gallery 2018.

The National Art School offers its deepest sympathies to Kevin Connor’s family and friends.
—
Kevin Connor, aged 15, 1947, photo courtesy Connor family; Ann Cape, `Kevin Connor`, 1974, pencil on paper, 26.5 x 24.5cm, NAS Collection, gift of Ann Cape 2011; Kevin Connor, `Haymarket Morning`, 2013, oil on canvas, 102 x 122cm, NAS Collection, gift of Kevin Connor 2018

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Jun 25

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The National Art School is saddened to hear of the passing of Fellow and alumnus Kevin Connor at the age of 92 (1932-2025).

In 1948, at the age of 16, he enrolled as a night student at what was then called East Sydney Technical College, while training as a commercial artist in the city. His employer paid the fees for his art classes.

In later years he recalled that he had a life changing experience at art school, when he realised that: ‘The nature of art is both enigmatic and non-commercial - a realisation that has stayed with me well into my old age.’

A prolific and dedicated artist, Kevin Connor held more than 70 solo exhibitions throughout his life, including exhibiting in the Archibald Prize over 25 times. Connor won the Archibald Prize in 1975 and 1977, the Sulman Prize in 1991 and 1997, and the Dobell Prize for Drawing in 1992 and 2005. He was the Harkness Fellow in New York from 1966 to 1968 and a Trustee of the Art Gallery of New South Wales from 1981 to 1987.

Connor was a much respected teacher, and he lectured in painting and drawing at the National Art School, among other colleges, between 1972 and 1987.
The first major survey of his work was held at the AGNSW in 1989. In 2006, Hendrik Kolenberg curated a major retrospective of Connor’s drawing, sculpture and painting at AGNSW.

In 2016, Connor was made a Fellow of the National Art School, and he donated works to the National Art School Collection when he was included in the exhibition ‘National Art: Part One’ in the NAS Gallery 2018.

The National Art School offers its deepest sympathies to Kevin Connor’s family and friends.
—
Kevin Connor, aged 15, 1947, photo courtesy Connor family; Ann Cape, 'Kevin Connor', 1974, pencil on paper, 26.5 x 24.5cm, NAS Collection, gift of Ann Cape 2011; Kevin Connor, 'Haymarket Morning', 2013, oil on canvas, 102 x 122cm, NAS Collection, gift of Kevin Connor 2018

We’re looking for an Event Manager - Application Deadline Sunday 29 June

The Event Manager will have strong experience in hospitality, licensed venue operations, and event delivery. This role delivers a wide range of internal and external events, including Graduate Shows, Gallery Openings, Public Programs, Fundraisers, and Open Day. NAS also operates as a commercial venue, hiring the Cell Block Theatre for weddings, corporate events, and product launches.

Apply at the link in bio.

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Jun 22

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We’re looking for an Event Manager - Application Deadline Sunday 29 June

The Event Manager will have strong experience in hospitality, licensed venue operations, and event delivery. This role delivers a wide range of internal and external events, including Graduate Shows, Gallery Openings, Public Programs, Fundraisers, and Open Day. NAS also operates as a commercial venue, hiring the Cell Block Theatre for weddings, corporate events, and product launches.

Apply at the link in bio.

Call out for all National Art School alumni and staff: There are only 8 days left to apply for two international residency opportunities for 2026: The Onslow Storrier NAS Residency La Cité Internationale Des Arts, Paris and The British School at Rome.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant art scenes of two iconic European cities, Paris and Rome, and further develop your artistic practice in an enriching cultural environment.

Visit our website for more information and apply before Sunday 29 June 2025 (link in bio).

—
Sophia Lee Georgas BSR Open Studio, 2023, image courtesy and © The British School at Rome; Harry de Vries BSR Open Studio, 2024, image courtesy and © The British School at Rome

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Jun 21

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Call out for all National Art School alumni and staff: There are only 8 days left to apply for two international residency opportunities for 2026: The Onslow Storrier NAS Residency La Cité Internationale Des Arts, Paris and The British School at Rome.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant art scenes of two iconic European cities, Paris and Rome, and further develop your artistic practice in an enriching cultural environment.

Visit our website for more information and apply before Sunday 29 June 2025 (link in bio).

—
Sophia Lee Georgas BSR Open Studio, 2023, image courtesy and © The British School at Rome; Harry de Vries BSR Open Studio, 2024, image courtesy and © The British School at Rome

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.

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Jun 20

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National Art (Part One) now on tour