Launch of On Stillness: Peter Rushforth

Launch of On Stillness: Peter Rushforth

Our new online exhibition in collaboration with Newcastle Art Gallery

Today we are excited to launch On Stillness, an evolving online exhibition presented across the social media accounts of public art galleries. Initiated by the National Art School and Newcastle Art Gallery, it highlights artworks from the collections of participating institutions that embody the idea of stillness.

As COVID-19 restrictions ease and the pace of regular life cautiously resumes, On Stillness reminds us to slow down and remain observant. Simply follow the hashtag #onstillnessexhibition to see the growing number of works and gallery collaborators.

Peter Rushforth

We are kicking off with celebrated ceramic artist and Zen enthusiast Peter Rushforth. Peter Rushforth (1920–2015) was a master potter largely responsible for introducing ancient Japanese ceramic traditions to Australia. After early studies in Melbourne, he was appointed as the first full-time ceramics teacher at NAS in 1951. ‘Blossom jar’ and ‘Vase’ in the NAS Collection are examples of his manipulation of abstract form and surface to reflect ineffable human qualities. One such quality he admired in Japanese ceramics was jaku, meaning ‘to be quiet’ or ‘mellow’. The calm poise of his vessels is in harmony with the vitality of their variegated surfaces. The textured ‘Blossom jar’ shows his groundbreaking use of stoneware techniques in an Australian context, which often incorporated granulated rocks from his local environment. This work was based on the mist in the valley outside his studio window. His renowned chun glaze, evident in the second image of ‘Vase’, evokes limpid azure skies. Rushforth’s pots suggest the silent transformations of atmospheric phenomena and the slow time of geological change. Like a view of the earth from space, they are still but invisibly turning worlds

PR
PR2
PR3

Images 1 and 3: Peter Rushforth, Blossom jar, c. 1980s, salt-glazed stoneware, 22 x 22 cm; Vase, c. 1980s, stoneware, chun glaze 24 x 25 cm. National Art School Collection, gifts of Georg, Keay and Anders Lindstrom 2015

Image 2: Peter Rushforth (seated, left) with NAS ceramics students and teachers, 1960s. National Art School Collection, gift of Mollie Douglas 2005

#Follow us on Instagram
We're excited to share that NAS Photomedia sessional Dr Jack Ball (@jack__ball_) is the winner of the $100,000 Ramsay Art Prize 2025, the nation’s most generous prize for Australian artists under forty.

Jack's award winning work 'Heavy Grit' is on display in the Ramsay Art Prize 2025 exhibition which opens tomorrow, Saturday 31 May

Jack Ball with 'Heavy Grit' in Ramsay Art Prize 2025, Art Gallery of South Australia, (@agsa.adelaide) Adelaide; photo: Saul Steed
Thank you to outgoing Chair Susan Rothwell AM & welcome to incoming Chair Jeff Weeden. The National Art School would like to express its deepest gratitude to Susan Rothwell AM, whose term as Chair of the NAS Board concludes on 31 May 2025. 

At the same time, we are pleased to announce and warmly welcome Jeff Weeden as the incoming Chair of the NAS Board, effective 1 June 2025.

Jeff has served as a Director on the NAS Board since 2019 and currently chairs the Finance and Audit Committee, a position he has held since 2023.  For the full announcement, click the link in the bio.
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) starts today! As part of our NAS NRW program, we invite you to a special screening of the documentary 'Kindred' (2023) in our Cell Block Theatre. The directors Gillian Moody and Adrian Russell Wills will be joining us for the screening.

'There's the black world, and then there's the white world. I felt walking in each of them was complicated enough. To bring those together would just make it even harder.' (Kindred: Trailer)

'Kindred' is a deeply personal feature-length documentary that delves into the emotional landscape of family, love, and loss through the eyes of two close friends.'

Limited capacity - click the link in bio to reserve your seats.
Loading...