Presence: Drawing Symposium 2021
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In this time of forced introversion and on-line communication, The National Centre for Drawing’s 2021 Drawing symposium delves into the question of what Drawing is and does now, how it connects us to the present and makes us present in the world.
Eight very different artists from all over the world will talk to you and each other about the role of drawing in their practice and the drawings that inspire them.
Hosted in the National Art School’s historic Cell Block Theatre, you are invited to attend either online or in person. If you are not in Sydney there will be online options for you to join the conversation.
Speakers
Gerry Davies (UK), Maria Kontis (VIC), Anita Fricek (Austria), Margaret Roberts (NSW), Peter Bonner (USA), Aida Tomescu (NSW), James Nguyen (VIC), Lucienne Rickard (TAS)
Background
We hope that the unusual events of 2020 will enable us to link more closely with artists across the globe and in this context, which generates a strange disjunction between physical presence and on-line connection, the symposium will consider what drawing has to offer the simple idea of being present.
Drawing is powerfully and particularly about presence. The symposium will consider ways that drawing can conjure, evoke, embody and restore this quality of actualisation in both material and non-material, real and virtual modes of being. Emerging from an increasing need to occupy digital environments, the symposium encourages conversations about what this means in the context of drawing.
Presence refers to the state of existence, while also suggesting what is not visible, but rather sensed. The symposium invites discussion on the various ways drawing can elicit presence; from the graphic mark as record/trace to durational, performative and spatial manifestations.
Given the theme and the climate, the symposium will navigate physical and on-line participation.
National Centre for Drawing
The National Centre for Drawing at the National Art School promotes and nurtures practice, research and scholarship in drawing in all of its manifestations. Positioned at the core of an educational institution and cultural precinct, it enables a range of audiences to engage more deeply with drawing. Through the practice of drawing, curatorial projects, exhibitions, publications, conferences, lectures and other special events, it nurtures a curiosity around drawing that is grounded in precedent but extends towards the unknown.
Program
9.30–9.45am
Introduction
9.45–10.45am
Anita Fricek and Margaret Roberts
10.45–11am
Questions
11–11.30am
Morning Tea
11.30am–12.30pm
Gerald Davies and Maria Kontis
12.30–12.45pm
Questions
12.45–1.30pm
Lunch
1.30–2.30pm
Peter Bonner and Aida Tomescu
2.30–2.45pm
Questions
2.45–3.15pm
Break
3.15–4.15pm
James Nguyen and Lucienne Rickard
4.15–4.30pm
Questions
4.30–4.45pm
Final remarks and close
4.45pm
Closing drinks
Hear artist James Nguyen (@jamesnguyens) discuss the process of his artwork ‘Homeopathies_where new trees grow’ (2025), a site-specific installation created for The Neighbour at the Gate, now on at NAS Gallery.
In response to the exhibition, Nguyen created a large-scale suspended textile, dyed with introduced weeds and contaminated mud collected along the Duck River and Parramatta River in Sydney. These local sites, like many places in Vietnam, continue to be contaminated by Agent Orange, dioxins and toxic leachates that account for the industrial scale manufacturing of chemical weapons along Homebush Bay.
The Naarm/Melbourne-based, Vietnamese Australian artist positions his personal experiences and perspectives in dialogue with others in his interdisciplinary practice, moving between live and online performance, video, drawing and installations. This work was made in conjunction with Nguyen’s aunt, Nguyễn Thị Kim Nhung, and uncle, Nguyễn Công Chính, who you can hear in conversation with the artist in the Artist Talks archive on our website.
The Neighbour at the Gate is now on until Saturday 18 October 2025. 11am – 5pm, Monday to Sunday. Plan your visit at the link in bio.
The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.
Aug 21
Don’t miss the last chance to enrol in a ceramics workshop at NAS in 2025.
Places are still available in three ceramics Spring Weekend Workshops with incredible artist-educators Trisha Dean, Tania Rollond and Sassy Park.
Early discount extended to 29 August, enrol today at the link in bio.
Aug 21
Apply for the Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) and secure your place at the National Art School before you get your ATAR!
Our admissions are based on your interview and portfolio. We`re interested in your artistic potential, not your ATAR.
Mature age students and students who are not Year 12 are encouraged to apply to our main admission round before Thursday 20 November.
To learn more about preparing your portfolio or what it`s like to have your own studio space at NAS, come chat with our friendly staff and faculty at our Open Day. (RSVP link in bio)
Music by NAS Alum @harrison_chao
Aug 20
Congratulations to our recent BFA graduate Samuel Chan (@__szwc), who has been named one of three recipients of the ‘most exceptional’ prize at the Dr Harold Schenberg Arts Awards.
Now in its 16th year, the Dr Harold Schenberg Arts Awards offers the largest prize pool for emerging artists in Australia and is part of PICA’s ‘Hatched: National Graduate Show’. To be part of ‘Hatched’ exhibition is an honour as it showcases the next generation of Australia’s contemporary creative voices, presenting artworks by 23 outstanding art school graduates from across the country.
Sam’s award-winning installation work includes `At Eventuality’s End` - an evocative sculptural piece previously featured in our ‘Queer Contemporary: Chaosophy ‘exhibition as well as the NAS Grad Show.
Inspired by our alumni success stories? Join our Open Day on 6 September to explore your own creative path and get application-ready with one-on-one consultation sessions. (Link in bio)
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(In order of appearance in the video)
`Embrace`, 2024, resin, stainless steel hook, Conte crayon, 47 x 14.5 x 9.5cm
‘Transfiguration’, 2024, Chillagoe White Pearl marble, mild steel, incense, 172 x 26 x 26cm
`Noose`, 2024, resin, graphite, titanium rod, 30 x 14 x 5cm
`At Eventuality`s End`, 2024, hand-dyed paper, wire mesh, mild steel rod, 255 x 80 x 60cm
Image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Jennifer Leahy (@silversalt_photography)
@pica_perth
Aug 19
We’re Hiring!
Painting Technician - Application Deadline Sunday 7 September
Under the direction of the Head of Painting and lecturing staff of the department, the Painting Technician is responsible for the resourcing, maintenance and upkeep of the studios and equipment of the department; the implementation of effective studio process and procedures, and the demonstration/monitoring of safe and appropriate use of studio equipment and resources. The Painting Technician is responsible for resourcing and supporting the delivery of all Painting programs including Degree Programs, Public Programs short courses, and Education Outreach programs and workshops.
Sales and Events Coordinator - Application Deadline Sunday 7 September
The Sales and Events Coordinator plays a key role in promoting and coordinating commercial venue hire at the National Art School (NAS), located on a unique and historic heritage-listed campus in Darlinghurst. The role is responsible for managing client enquiries, preparing event plans and quotes, and ensuring client needs are clearly scoped and communicated — without exceeding agreed service levels or budgets.
Facilities Assistant – Application Deadline Sunday 31 August
The Facilities Assistant provides general facilities support across the campus heritage buildings, undertaking all general maintenance on buildings, grounds, plant, and equipment, as well as preventative maintenance. Work is planned through maintenance schedules as well as daily reactive work, prioritising and escalating urgent matters as appropriate. If you’re practical, reliable, and ready to contribute to a creative, purpose-driven environment, we’d love to hear from you.
Visit the link in bio to learn more.
Aug 18
Which is the deadliest of ringers? 👀
First year BFA Photomedia students opened `Dead Ringers: Photographic Remake` exhibition on Thursday.
The exhibition continues until this Saturday in the Hoff Space. Visit us this weekend to explore 45 photographs that take Jean-Luc Godard`s words as one of the creative prompts: `It’s not where you take things from—it’s where you take them to."
The Rayner Hoff Project Space will be open from 11am–5pm. Don`t forget to also visit `The Neighbour at the Gate` in NAS Gallery, now open on Sundays 11am-5pm.
Aug 14
