The Guardian: Portrait of a mentor: ‘granddaddy of National Art School campus finds himself the subject

The Guardian: Portrait of a mentor: ‘granddaddy of National Art School campus finds himself the subject

2020-09-07

Article by Ben Doherty

“When you paint someone you know, it is not just a subject, it’s someone you have a connection with. I wanted to capture that soul, that person, the generosity that everyone sees in him. I hope I have done that.” – Lesley Wengembo

The Guardian Australia speak with current student Lesley Wengembo and the subject of his Archibald Prize entry, NAS Campus Assistant Mal Nabogi about the National Art School, Wengembo’s practice and Nabogi’s positive influence special connection to all students on campus.

Read more through the link below.

Image: National Art School student Lesley Wengembo with Mal Nabogi, standing, the subject of his Archibald prize entry. Photo: Carly Earl/The Guardian

“It wasn’t about winning, but the feeling of freedom and connection”

Artist Dennis Golding invited exhibition curatorium member Michael Do and NAS Curator, Exhibitions, Lucy Latella for an intimate look at his work `Bingo` (2025), commissioned for our upcoming exhibition `The Neighbour at the Gate` and produced at the National Art School with the assistance of master printer and artist Janet Parker-Smith (pictured); Carolyn Mckenzie-Craig, NAS Head of Printmaking; and Rebecca O’Shea, NAS Printmaking Studio Technician.

‘Bingo’ (2025) is a seven-metre-long wall installation by Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay artist Dennis Golding that draws from his recollections of family bingo nights hosted by his nan and aunty on Eveleigh Street in Redfern, Sydney. Gathering in an abandoned terrace house, they stitched together joy from what little they had; cutting game cards from cardboard, running power through borrowed cords, and making space for community.

Read the photo essay to learn more about the work and exhibition at nas.edu.au or hear the artist in conversation with Kyra Kum-Sing during the opening weekend celebrations, RSVP at the link in bio.
—
Photography by Peter Morgan

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Jun 30

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“It wasn’t about winning, but the feeling of freedom and connection”

Artist Dennis Golding invited exhibition curatorium member Michael Do and NAS Curator, Exhibitions, Lucy Latella for an intimate look at his work 'Bingo' (2025), commissioned for our upcoming exhibition 'The Neighbour at the Gate' and produced at the National Art School with the assistance of master printer and artist Janet Parker-Smith (pictured); Carolyn Mckenzie-Craig, NAS Head of Printmaking; and Rebecca O’Shea, NAS Printmaking Studio Technician.

‘Bingo’ (2025) is a seven-metre-long wall installation by Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay artist Dennis Golding that draws from his recollections of family bingo nights hosted by his nan and aunty on Eveleigh Street in Redfern, Sydney. Gathering in an abandoned terrace house, they stitched together joy from what little they had; cutting game cards from cardboard, running power through borrowed cords, and making space for community.

Read the photo essay to learn more about the work and exhibition at nas.edu.au or hear the artist in conversation with Kyra Kum-Sing during the opening weekend celebrations, RSVP at the link in bio.
—
Photography by Peter Morgan

Join us for a dynamic program of public events at the National Art School to celebrate the opening of the major exhibition `The Neighbour at the Gate`. Opening during NAIDOC week, the public program will take place over two days, Friday 11 and Saturday 12 July.

Friday 11 July:
Join us for a day of panel discussions with the guest curatorium let by Clothilde Bullen OAM, for artist talks, and artist-led demonstrations.
RSVP essential – limited capacity.

Saturday 12 July:
From 11am to 3pm, enjoy a community-friendly day of free activities, including mindfulness sessions led by Madina Yoga and creative drop-in workshops. Contribute a clay piece to the exhibition and take home your own textile tassel or hand-printed tote bag.

From 5pm, the celebration continues outdoors with a free evening of DJ sets featuring DJ Rocky Stallone, Sveta, and Mason Kimber.

Visit our website to view the full program (link in bio).

#naidocweek #whatsonsydney #sydneykids

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Jun 27

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Join us for a dynamic program of public events at the National Art School to celebrate the opening of the major exhibition 'The Neighbour at the Gate'. Opening during NAIDOC week, the public program will take place over two days, Friday 11 and Saturday 12 July.

Friday 11 July:
Join us for a day of panel discussions with the guest curatorium let by Clothilde Bullen OAM, for artist talks, and artist-led demonstrations.
RSVP essential – limited capacity.

Saturday 12 July:
From 11am to 3pm, enjoy a community-friendly day of free activities, including mindfulness sessions led by Madina Yoga and creative drop-in workshops. Contribute a clay piece to the exhibition and take home your own textile tassel or hand-printed tote bag.

From 5pm, the celebration continues outdoors with a free evening of DJ sets featuring DJ Rocky Stallone, Sveta, and Mason Kimber.

Visit our website to view the full program (link in bio).

#naidocweek #whatsonsydney #sydneykids

Join us at the Shared Skies Music Concert with BARKAA, Rainbow Chan and DJ Rocky Stallone, our major program event for the opening weekend of The Neighbour at the Gate. Held in the historic Cell Block Theatre, don’t miss this celebration of culture, identity and sound.

BARKAA @barkaa__ is a Malyangapa, Barkindji woman from western NSW, now living in south western Sydney on Gandangara land. Music has been part of BARKAA’s journey to express herself, the truth and issues impacting First Nations people. BARKAA has made a name for herself with her powerful delivery and lyrics, and her live shows are full of energy and raw intense emotion.

Rainbow Chan @chunyinrainbowchan is an award-winning vocalist, producer and multi-disciplinary artist. Driven by a DIY spirit, Chan melds catchy melodies and off-kilter beats made up of field-recordings and found sounds. Both heartbreaking and tender, her idiosyncratic brand of pop reflects diasporic experiences and deeply personal tales of love and loss.

Multi-hyphenate DJ, MC, podcaster and esteemed Ballroom community member of Samoan heritage, Rocky Stallone @rocky_stall0ne, is known for creating safe spaces and events for queer POC, gracing the decks at balls and functions across the country. Expect to hear a seamless mix of house, R&B, Baille funk, and more, including hot and heaving remixes that will wind your waist.

Saturday 12 July
8 – 10.30pm
Cell Block Theatre

Buy tickets at the link in bio.

View the full program of opening weekend events, including artist talks, artmaking workshops, and community activities, at nas.edu.au.

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Jun 26

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There`s still time to make a tax deductible donation towards our Pathways Program this EOFY.

To everyone who has already donated, thank you. Your support helps ensure the National Art School is accessible to people from all backgrounds.

Visit link in our bio today to find our more, and help us create crucial pathways to propel our students and alumni to become leading international artists.

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Jun 25

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There's still time to make a tax deductible donation towards our Pathways Program this EOFY.

To everyone who has already donated, thank you. Your support helps ensure the National Art School is accessible to people from all backgrounds.

Visit link in our bio today to find our more, and help us create crucial pathways to propel our students and alumni to become leading international artists.

The National Art School is saddened to hear of the passing of Fellow and alumnus Kevin Connor at the age of 92 (1932-2025).

In 1948, at the age of 16, he enrolled as a night student at what was then called East Sydney Technical College, while training as a commercial artist in the city. His employer paid the fees for his art classes.

In later years he recalled that he had a life changing experience at art school, when he realised that: ‘The nature of art is both enigmatic and non-commercial - a realisation that has stayed with me well into my old age.’

A prolific and dedicated artist, Kevin Connor held more than 70 solo exhibitions throughout his life, including exhibiting in the Archibald Prize over 25 times. Connor won the Archibald Prize in 1975 and 1977, the Sulman Prize in 1991 and 1997, and the Dobell Prize for Drawing in 1992 and 2005. He was the Harkness Fellow in New York from 1966 to 1968 and a Trustee of the Art Gallery of New South Wales from 1981 to 1987.

Connor was a much respected teacher, and he lectured in painting and drawing at the National Art School, among other colleges, between 1972 and 1987.
The first major survey of his work was held at the AGNSW in 1989. In 2006, Hendrik Kolenberg curated a major retrospective of Connor’s drawing, sculpture and painting at AGNSW.

In 2016, Connor was made a Fellow of the National Art School, and he donated works to the National Art School Collection when he was included in the exhibition ‘National Art: Part One’ in the NAS Gallery 2018.

The National Art School offers its deepest sympathies to Kevin Connor’s family and friends.
—
Kevin Connor, aged 15, 1947, photo courtesy Connor family; Ann Cape, `Kevin Connor`, 1974, pencil on paper, 26.5 x 24.5cm, NAS Collection, gift of Ann Cape 2011; Kevin Connor, `Haymarket Morning`, 2013, oil on canvas, 102 x 122cm, NAS Collection, gift of Kevin Connor 2018

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Jun 25

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The National Art School is saddened to hear of the passing of Fellow and alumnus Kevin Connor at the age of 92 (1932-2025).

In 1948, at the age of 16, he enrolled as a night student at what was then called East Sydney Technical College, while training as a commercial artist in the city. His employer paid the fees for his art classes.

In later years he recalled that he had a life changing experience at art school, when he realised that: ‘The nature of art is both enigmatic and non-commercial - a realisation that has stayed with me well into my old age.’

A prolific and dedicated artist, Kevin Connor held more than 70 solo exhibitions throughout his life, including exhibiting in the Archibald Prize over 25 times. Connor won the Archibald Prize in 1975 and 1977, the Sulman Prize in 1991 and 1997, and the Dobell Prize for Drawing in 1992 and 2005. He was the Harkness Fellow in New York from 1966 to 1968 and a Trustee of the Art Gallery of New South Wales from 1981 to 1987.

Connor was a much respected teacher, and he lectured in painting and drawing at the National Art School, among other colleges, between 1972 and 1987.
The first major survey of his work was held at the AGNSW in 1989. In 2006, Hendrik Kolenberg curated a major retrospective of Connor’s drawing, sculpture and painting at AGNSW.

In 2016, Connor was made a Fellow of the National Art School, and he donated works to the National Art School Collection when he was included in the exhibition ‘National Art: Part One’ in the NAS Gallery 2018.

The National Art School offers its deepest sympathies to Kevin Connor’s family and friends.
—
Kevin Connor, aged 15, 1947, photo courtesy Connor family; Ann Cape, 'Kevin Connor', 1974, pencil on paper, 26.5 x 24.5cm, NAS Collection, gift of Ann Cape 2011; Kevin Connor, 'Haymarket Morning', 2013, oil on canvas, 102 x 122cm, NAS Collection, gift of Kevin Connor 2018

We’re looking for an Event Manager - Application Deadline Sunday 29 June

The Event Manager will have strong experience in hospitality, licensed venue operations, and event delivery. This role delivers a wide range of internal and external events, including Graduate Shows, Gallery Openings, Public Programs, Fundraisers, and Open Day. NAS also operates as a commercial venue, hiring the Cell Block Theatre for weddings, corporate events, and product launches.

Apply at the link in bio.

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Jun 22

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The Guardian: Portrait of a mentor: ‘granddaddy of National Art School campus finds himself the subject