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SMH: Surprise! The pandemic improved the standard of drawing in Australia

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SMH: Surprise! The pandemic improved the standard of drawing in Australia

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Article by John McDonald

Events such as the 2021 Dobell Drawing Prize at the National Art School Gallery serve as reminders of the many kinds of activity permitted by an expanded definition of “drawing”. The Dobell Foundation can be pleased with the quality of the 2021 entries, which may be due to the esteem in which this award is held, or simply indicate that artists were able to spend more time in the studio during the pandemic year. There’s nothing more conducive to art than a crisis, and the number of works that refer directly or obliquely to the lockdown suggests the virus has played a significant role in the make-up of this year’s show. It will go down as one of the more unusual side-effects of COVID-19 that it seems to have improved the standard of drawing in Australia

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Image: Catherine O’Donnell, Waiting for the world to reopen (detail), 2020, charcoal on paper, 180 × 97.5 cm, Courtesy the artist and Dominik Mersch Gallery

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We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Prudence MacLeod Prize.

The Prudence MacLeod Prize, which will continue for a further three years, supports a recent National Art School graduate to undertake a six-month residency at @acme.art, London.

Supported by the Lansdowne Foundation, the Prize provides an emerging artist with an opportunity to step forward into an expanded, international context at a vital time in their career. The artist will live and work in London, one of the world`s great art cities, in a supportive artist community. This important opportunity will enable the artist to forge professional international contacts, explore London`s art world and rich cultural resources, and produce a new body of work.

The recipient of this Prize will receive:
– Return travel to London. To be arranged for the artist by NAS.
– Studio accommodation and workspace at Acme Studios for 6 months.
– Living stipend of $AUD3,500 per month for 6 months. Total $AUD21,000.

Application deadline: Sunday 1 February 2026, 11.59pm
Residency: Monday 6 July – Friday 18 December 2026

The Prudence MacLeod Prize is open to eligible NAS alumni who have graduated within the past five years and meet the selection criteria.

Learn more 🔗 in bio.

—
Acme Fire Station, 30 Gillender Street, 1999 © Acme Archive

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Dec 11

Open post by nas_au with ID 17852100045598290
We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Prudence MacLeod Prize. The Prudence MacLeod Prize, which will continue for a further three years, supports a recent National Art School graduate to undertake a six-month residency at @acme.art, London. Supported by the Lansdowne Foundation, the Prize provides an emerging artist with an opportunity to step forward into an expanded, international context at a vital time in their career. The artist will live and work in London, one of the world's great art cities, in a supportive artist community. This important opportunity will enable the artist to forge professional international contacts, explore London's art world and rich cultural resources, and produce a new body of work. The recipient of this Prize will receive: – Return travel to London. To be arranged for the artist by NAS. – Studio accommodation and workspace at Acme Studios for 6 months. – Living stipend of $AUD3,500 per month for 6 months. Total $AUD21,000. Application deadline: Sunday 1 February 2026, 11.59pm Residency: Monday 6 July – Friday 18 December 2026 The Prudence MacLeod Prize is open to eligible NAS alumni who have graduated within the past five years and meet the selection criteria. Learn more 🔗 in bio. — Acme Fire Station, 30 Gillender Street, 1999 © Acme Archive

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the opening of The Grad Show!

Find works by this year`s cohort exhibited throughout the NAS campus until 14 December. Open daily from 11am — 5pm and until 9pm on Fridays.

View online via 🔗 in bio.

—
Video: Tim Connolly

View Instagram post by nas_au

Dec 5

Open post by nas_au with ID 18085817414025392
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the opening of The Grad Show! Find works by this year's cohort exhibited throughout the NAS campus until 14 December. Open daily from 11am — 5pm and until 9pm on Fridays. View online via 🔗 in bio. — Video: Tim Connolly
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