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 MFA students currently on show at The Postgrad Show, on until 17 November 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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Isabella Kennedy, ‘()’, 2024, inkjet print on Epson matte, 44 x 29.5 cm, edition of 3
Emilee Robinson, ‘lizard’, 2024, platinum silicone, toner and vinyl on board, 30 x 25cm
Artemisia Cornett, ‘Encroaching’, 2024, pen on paper, 40 x 17cm
Bibi Soleimani, ‘Pigeon Tower 10’, 2024, oil monotype on BFK Rives paper, 76 x 56cm
Julie Edgar, ‘Essence’, 2024, oil on canvas, 140 x 180 cm
India Swinton, ‘Subtle Sensations I’, 2024, acrylic on canvas, 50 x 40cm
Criena Court, ‘unified (swing)’, 2024, rope, timber, concrete, gold pigment, variable x 70 x 14 cm
Alice Xu, ‘The light guided me to a destiny’, 2024, oil on canvas, 102 x 76cm
Bronwyn Vaughan, ‘Hot Pink Support Structure 4’, 2024, steel, saris, stainless steel cable ties, 200 x 10cm
Nov 13
A selection of works by our graduating MFA students currently on show at The Postgrad Show, on until 17 November 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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Benjamin Akuila, ‘Mask For Mask II’, 2024, stoneware, gold lustre, clear spray paint, 26 x 15 x 3 cm
Beatrice Weidner, ‘Tendrils’, 2024, mixed media collage on paper, 76 x 56 cm
Brooke Marchel, ‘The Way of All Flesh’, 2024, oil and acrylic on book, 20.5 x 26.5 x 2cm
Lucinda Bird, ‘Patchwork Archive’, 2024, copper plate etching on Hahnemüle paper, etched aluminium standoffs, eyelets, cotton thread, 80 x 61 x 7cm
Mitchell Davis, ‘mummy’s boy (left)’, 2024, plaster cast, 23 x 78 x 10cm, edition of 3
Sophie Victoria, ‘Misperceptions III’, 2024, copper, acrylic, faux fur, dimensions variable
Quan Zhu Ma, ‘Samsara II (b)’, 2024, burnt wood, plaster, 14 x 54 cm
Emily Isabel Taylor, ‘Hydra’, 2024, UV digital print on clear acrylic, 115 x 183 x 1cm
Jocelyn Hedley, ‘GENV8_LG_VOCT_03’, 2024, multilayered nanoparticle screen prints on Stonehenge black paper, 101 x 127 cm
Freyja Fristad, ‘VOID’, 2024, linocut relief on Accademia, 85 x 169 cm, edition of 5
Nov 13
A selection of works by our graduating MFA students currently on show at The Postgrad Show, on until 17 November 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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Oliver Abbott, ‘288, -87.35, 1.65’, 2024, oil on linen, 120 x 180cm
Rachel Mackay, ‘Fountain’, 2024, unfired paperclay, sealant, fabric, 20 x 20 x 130 cm
Nikky Morgan-smith, ‘EFT3’, 2024, oil stick on wood, 20 x 30cm
Harry Merriman, ‘Swallow Me Whole’, 2024, inkjet print, unframed: 56 x 79.5cm, framed: 60 x 83.5 x 3.7cm, edition of 3
Chrystie Longworth, ‘Domestic Goddess: Spotless’, 2024, stoneware clay, pigment, glaze, 17 x 13 x 13 cm
James Little, ‘youtu.be/AgfzksAY-mY’, 2024, inkjet print on glossy photo paper on aluminium panel, steel frame, 29 cm x 42 cm, 29 cm
Jake Starr, ‘Dogma’, 2024, 4K video (runtime 15 mins), clothing, TV screen, steel mount, installation 100 x 120 x 180 cm, 1/8 (custom usb boxed set)
James Gardiner (fahn), ‘Presence Pr24-01’, 2024, acrylic polymer on machine cut composite board (fibre, resin, card, polystyrene and chipboard), 76 x 84 x 4.3 cm
Martin John Oldfield, ‘Bulldog 7W’, 2024, steel pickaxe, mild steel, 33 x 22 x 14 cm
Zara Collins, ‘Unfolding the folds VII’, 2024, porcelain, 11 x 12 x 3.5cm
Nov 13
Putting together a strong portfolio is one of the most important parts of your application to the National Art School.
At the Portfolio Review, NAS lecturers will offer helpful advice to guide you through your portfolio preparation, plus provide personal feedback on your portfolio.
Monday 18 November, 11.00am - 12.30pm, Cell Block Theatre.
RSVP at the link in bio.
Nov 13
We’re looking for a new Digital Marketing Specialist. Application deadline Sunday 24 November. Apply now!
The Digital Marketing Specialist plays an important role in coordinating the marketing and communication activities that drive degree recruitment, short course attendance, public program participation, exhibition promotion, brand positioning and alumni engagement.
Visit the link in bio to learn more.
Nov 13
