Symposium – The Australian Object: Material Culture in Context
This two-day symposium, presented in partnership with the Power Institute, showcased new scholarly research on the material culture of Australia. It addressed the rich diversity of objects and the processes, knowledge, and meanings embedded therein. Our purpose was/is to revitalise the discourse on marginalised media and quotidian culture and bring scholars, artists, curators and collectors into productive dialogue. Focusing on making meaning through materials, this symposium reinforces the National Art School’s core emphasis on object-led art practices and histories.
Despite renewed interest in material culture, the conversation about objects often remains siloed in discrete disciplines of anthropology, archaeology, design history and museology. Building on the material turn in art history, this symposium aimed to explore productive interdisciplinary methodologies for engaging with Australian objects. In particular, our approach aims to draw into conversation objects that have been previously occluded in these discourses.
To prioritise the object and foster dialogue, each presentation is in the form of a 20-minute case study of an Australian object. Case studies address the object’s material and sensorial properties and the specific aesthetic frameworks through which it has acquired meaning and value, including how production, use, circulation and exchange has shaped the life of the object. Case studies may also consider how these objects connect with, undermine, or complicate notions of art, taste, authenticity, tradition, value, identity, and nationhood broadly defined.
SPEAKERS: Deborah Beck, Alisa Bunbury, Anita Callaway, Mark de Vitis, Molly Duggins, Fiona Foley, Shannon Foster, Stephen Gilchrist, Michael Hill, Alison Inglis, Martyn Jolly and Elisa deCourcy, Jonathan Jones, Lorraine Kypiotis, Greg Lehman, Maria Nugent, Holly Schulte and Priya Vaughan.
Presented by the National Art School in partnership with the Power Institute
Videos
Day One: Thursday 3 October 2019
SESSION 1: OBJECTS IN MOTION
Maria Nugent, Australian National University
Shellwork slippers in Buckingham Palace
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Stephen Gilchrist, University of Sydney
Carriers of culture
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Mark de Vitis, University of Sydney
Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed?
The Unpredictable Trajectories and Intersecting Histories of a Displaced Bedroom Suite
Session 1
Panel Discussion
SESSION 2: Making connections: materiality and identity
Jonathan Jones, University of Technology, Sydney
William Barak’s parrying shield
Alison Inglis, University of Melbourne
Scintillating surfaces: shell mosaic in Australian architectural decoration
Session 2
Panel Discussion
SESSION 3: Objects and ecologies of Sydney
Michael Hill, National Art School
Casuarina Glauca/Guman in Farm Cove/Wuganmagulya
Alisa Bunbury, State Library of Victoria
The Potter’s Petit: investigating the history of a French drawing made in Sydney, 1802
Deborah Beck, National Art School
Heavy Metal: the six-inch nail
Session 3
Panel Discussion
Videos
Day Two: Friday 4 October 2019
Session 4: Polite violence: objects and frontier histories
Fiona Foley, Griffith University
Contemporary breastplates
Molly Duggins, National Art School
Crafting a colonial picturesque
Session 5: Magic lantern slides: animations and resurrections
Martyn Jolly and Elisa deCourcy, Australian National University
Magic lanterns and magic lantern slides as objects in Australian heritage collections
Holly Schulte, Sydney Living Museums
1960s psychedelia at Rouse Hill House
Session 6: The cast reinscribed
Greg Lehman, University of Melbourne
‘Prepared in the usual way’: Pierre-Marie Alexandre Dumoutier’s bust of Manalaguerna
Lorraine Kypiotis, National Art School
‘Castaway’: David washed ashore in the Antipodes
Session 6
Panel Discussion
Session 7: Rethinking Australiana
Anita Callaway, University of Sydney
A roll of the dice: ‘The Search for the Golden Boomerang’ board game
Priya Vaughan, National Art School
Australia ’88: kitsch, identity and decay in post-colonial Australia
Session 7
Panel Discussion
A selection of works by our graduating BFA students currently on show at The Grad Show, on until 15 December at NAS Galleries.
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Learn more about the artists and view available works at the link in bio.
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Kaela Jacobs, ‘Tough. (A series of delicate things. I am one of them.)’, 2024, aluminium, silver keyrings, synthetic hair, rivets, 121 x 90 cm
Ellie Pamp, ‘Untitled (Faun series) #2’, 2024, oil on wood board, 20 x 25 cm
Ksenia Kirkbride, ‘Serpent`s Cycle, The Path to Wisdom’, 2024, oil on linen, 100 x 100 cm
James Stewart, ‘sandcastles (mound)’, 2024, terracotta, white earthenware slip, 50 x 49 x 50 cm
Jodie McGill, ‘In conversation with Les’, 2024, oil on Belgium linen, 122 x 91.5 cm
Mitchell Timms, ‘Garden of Odd’, 2024, watercolour and graphite drawing, 21 x 15 cm
Dean O’Brien, ‘The Dear Repose For Limbs With Travel Tired’, 2024, oil on canvas, 91 x 61 x 4 cm
Chaya Atkins, ‘Veil’, 2024, oil on canvas, 80 x 100 cm
Alba Stephen, ‘Small Size Me (CMYK edition)’, 2024, screenprint with acrylic on paper, 19 x 19 cm
Bronte O’Shannessy, ‘Warmth’, 2024, mixed media, 70 x 70 cm
Dec 13
A selection of works by our graduating BFA students currently on show at The Grad Show, on until 15 December at NAS Galleries.
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Learn more about the artists and view available works at the link in bio.
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Jacinta Robinson, ‘Sacred Hollow’, 2024, acrylic on raw canvas, 122 x 152 cm
Harriet Clark, ‘Mum21’, 2024, glazed stoneware, 46 x 24 x 24 cm
Libby Moore, ‘Keep me safe’, 2024, plaster of paris, 26 x 14 x 7cm (boxed)
Jeremy Rotenstein, ‘Rose Metal’, 2024, cast metal and sandstone, 38 x 32 x 7 cm
Harrison Chao, ‘Node 4 (Open)’, 2024, oil on canvas, 90 x 120 cm
Gitte Backhausen, ‘Repercussions’, 2024, acrylic on found wooden pegboard, 90 x 60 cm
Gabriel Suni Sallo, ‘Plaza de Armas II’, 2024, acrylic and oil on wooden panel, 120 x 107 x 2.5 cm
Ariel Filler, ‘Pop and Skip’, 2024, oil, acrylic, dry pigment and glue on canvas, 110 x 97 x 2 cm
Sevgi Yilmaz, ‘Residue’, 2024, spray paint on dropcloth, 80 x 45.5 cm
Shauna Carroll, ‘Sacrifice of Andromeda’, 2024, oil on board, 90 cm
Dec 13
A selection of works by our graduating BFA students currently on show at The Grad Show, on until 15 December at NAS Galleries.
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Learn more about the artists and view available works at the link in bio.
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Francisca Carrasco-Reyes, ‘Bleeding Light’, 2024, latex on stretched polyester, 74 x 49.5 cm
Samira El Chami, ‘Fruits’, 2024, glazed stoneware, 8.5 x 18.2 x 15.5 cm
Grace Buckley, ‘Blossom’, 2024, canvas, upholstery, fringe, pins, 70 x 41 cm
Harriet Brealey, ‘Wraith’, 2024, etching on Fabriano Rosapina, 49.5 x 35 cm
Ruby McVicar, ‘Go (extension)’, 2024, wooden guillotine, mint pasties, licorice, brass cups, polymer clay, plastic binder, paper, 6 x 34 x 56 cm
Trey Martin, ‘Hallow Bone’, 2024, earthenware, paint, 40 x 25 x 25 cm
Stephanie Barakat, ‘Colonoscocave’, 2024, oil on canvas, 91 x 118 x 4.2 cm
Karim Fares, ‘Pipes’, 2024, plywood, construction adhesive, acrylic paint, spray paint, alcohol markers, PVA, collected stickers, superglue, collected tiles, PVC piping, prop rubber mouse, 20 x 24.5 cm
Olivia Lindgaard, ‘Modern Prey’, 2024, found wood, 165 x 150 x 60 cm
Chloe Lane, ‘Mighty Atom, 2024, oil and acrylic on canvas, 122 x 91 cm
Dec 13
On Tuesday 10 December, the National Art School celebrated the achievements and success of our students through awarding of prizes and scholarships. We would like to congratulate the award recipients for their hard work and thank our lecturers and technicians for their outstanding dedication and commitment to each and every student.
All of the prizes and scholarships awarded have been generously provided by our benefactors and sponsors, and we also thank you for your support.
Major Prize winners (pictured left to right): Oliver Abbott, Caleb Slater, Megan McKenzie, Freyja Fristad, Sarah R. Serfati, Ellen McCalmont, Benjamin Akuila, Chile Bainbridge, Elena Larkin. Photography by Peter Morgan.
View the full list of awards and recipients at the link in bio.
Dec 11
