NATIONAL ART SCHOOL DRAWING BREATH SYMPOSIUM

50% OFF FOR CURRENT NAS STUDENTS

A fantastic opportunity to hear dynamic and diverse perspectives on drawing and its role in contemporary practice and art education

Register for the Drawing Breath Symposium now!
PLACES ARE LIMITED
contact 02 9339 8745 or email kate.quinn@det.nsw.edu.au for details

$150.00 standard $100 NAS Staff $75 NAS Students

Registration includes private viewing of the Drawing Breath exhibition and reception on Thursday, 29 March, refreshments, lunch, organised tours of the recently refurbished National Art School historic campus (site of the old Darlinghurst Gaol), open studios, and access to Freestyle: new Australian design for living, a collaboration between Melbourne Museum and Object Gallery, on view at the National Art School.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Professor ANITA TAYLOR RWA (UK): Artist, Head of College and Professor of Fine Art at Wimbledon College of Art, University of Arts, London & Director, Jerwood Drawing Prize

Professor STEPHEN FARTHING RA (UK): Artist, Author & Rootstein Hopkins Professor of Drawing at the University of Arts, London

SPEAKERS
A critical overview of the Drawing Breath exhibition will launch discussion on the relevance of drawing in contemporary practice, the importance of drawing as an educational resource and for artists, curators, educators, critics and writers to bring together current national and international opinions on the subject. Guests include:

BERNARD OLLIS (NSW): Artist & Director, National Art School
PAUL THOMAS (UK): Artist, Author & Co-Founder, Jerwood Drawing Prize
HENDRIK KOLENBERG (NSW): Senior Curator of Australian Prints, Drawings and Watercolours at the Art Gallery of New South Wales & Curator of the Dobell Prize for Drawing Professor
TED SNELL (WA): Chair of the Visual Arts Board, Australia Council & Dean of Art, Curtin University of Technology, Perth
MERRIN EIRTH (VIC): Artist & Head of Drawing at Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne GEOFFREY CASSIDY (NSW): Director of Artbank, the national contemporary art rental service from the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
MARC PASCAL (VIC): Artist & Product Designer featured in Freestyle: new Australian design for living
ANNE LOXLEY (NSW): Director of Penrith Regional Gallery, Writer & Critic
JANS SENBERGS (VIC): Artist
GREG CREEK (VIC): Artist & Lecturer (Sculpture) at RMIT, Melbourne
SIMON COOPER (NSW): Artist & Head of Printmaking, National Art School
WENDY SHARPE (NSW): Artist, Writer & previously the Australian Official Artist attached to the Australian Army History Unit in Dili, East Timor

DRAWING BREATH: 10 YEARS OF THE JERWOOD DRAWING PRIZE

A Survey Exhibition of Contemporary British Drawing
Thursday 22 February – Friday 13 April 2007

Media Release
Monday, 29th January, 2007

Marking ten years of the Jerwood Drawing Prize (Britain’s distinguished annual open drawing exhibition), Drawing Breath provides a rare opportunity to view a collection of drawings from a range of artists currently working in the UK. This stimulating survey exhibition demonstrates the eclectic nature of subject matter, materials, composition, media and approaches that contemporary drawing practice embodies. The works on view reflect emphatically how the drawing medium offers an endless range of possibilities and a certain immediacy and intimacy.

The exhibition comprises 80 works selected from the Jerwood Drawing Prize from 1994-2006, including works by eminent artists such as Jason Brooks, Stephen Farthing RA, Dr Yvonne Crossley, Ken Currie, Adam Dant, Eileen Cooper, Tom Phillips RA as well as the best of emerging talent.

The National Art School runs a unique educational program in which drawing is a core subject in all years. The National Art School has partnered with the Wimbledon School of Art (now part of the University of the Arts, London) to present this anniversary exhibition. Both art Schools share synergies and emphasise drawing as a founding discipline in the study of visual arts.

“In the beginning there was drawing, and drawing is the basis for our civilisation and culture and for the young child drawing comes first. To paraphrase Picasso why is it that, we as adults hesitate whenwe are told to draw a chair but not when we speak it? The young child draws it without hesitation!” Bernard Ollis, Director NAS December 2006.

DRAWING BREATH is an important event on the National Art School Gallery’s 2007 international exhibition calendar and will open on Thursday 22 February and run until Friday 13 April 2007. The National Art School Gallery is the exclusive venue for DRAWING BREATH in Australia.

Accompanying the exhibition is a lively Public Program of lectures, floor talks and a symposium:

Exhibition Talk, 24 February 2007, 2pmIntroduction to the exhibition with Prof Anita Taylor and Paul Thomas, Co-Curators of Drawing Breath, free admission

Lecture, What Drawing May Be, 12 March 2007, 6pm Catherine de Zegher, Curator and Art Historian (former Executive Director of the Drawing Center, New York), free admission. Presented in association with the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney

Symposium, 29 - 31 March 2007, 10am – 5pm
Bringing together artists, academics, industry professionals and the public to explore a range of issues concerning drawing in contemporary practice today. Bookings essential.

High School students will be encouraged to visit the exhibition and participate in the associated public programs.

DRAWING BREATH
Location: National Art School Gallery National Art School Forbes St Darlinghurst
Dates: Thursday 22 February – Friday 13 April 2007
Opening: 6:00pm Wednesday 21 February 2007
Times: 10:00am – 4:00pm (Closed Sundays & Public Holidays)
Phone: 02 9339 8744

Media Contact: Katie Dyer, Curator/Gallery Manager T: (02) 9339 8758
katie.dyer@det.nsw.edu.au

NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. ABOUT THE NATIONAL ART SCHOOL: The National Art School is the longest continuing art school in Australia and has impressive alumni of acclaimed Australian artists including John Coburn AO, Fiona Hall, Colin Lanceley AO, Jeffrey Smart AO, Margaret Olley AC, AO, John Olsen AO, OBE, and J Martin Sharp.

Located in the historic sandstone surrounds of the old Darlinghurst Gaol, the National Art School offers Bachelor of Fine Art, BFA Honours, Master of Fine Art (Research) and short courses in the visual arts.The NAS Gallery is housed in the former A-Wing of the old gaol. Originally built between 1836-41, the building was refurbished and opened to the public in 2006.

The NAS Gallery encourages appreciation and critical perspectives of art and its role in society through direct engagement with artists and original works of art. NAS Gallery Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm.

2. PROFESSOR ANITA TAYLOR RWA Drawing is fundamental to Anita Taylor's practice as a painter. She has exhibited widely in Europe and Australia and is the Director of the Jerwood Drawing Prize, which she initiated as the Open Drawing Exhibition at Cheltenham in 1994. She was Artist-in-Residence at Durham Cathedral, Cheltenham Fellow in Painting and Artist-in Residence in Drawing at the National Art School Sydney. Awards include the Malvern Award for Drawing, the Hunting Art Prize, the Hunting Art Prizes Award for Drawing and the Major Award in the Cheltenham Open Drawing. She is Vice Principal andProfessor of Fine Art at Wimbledon School of Art, a member of the AHRC Peer-Review College and sub-panel 63 for Art and Design in the RAE2008.

3. PAUL THOMAS RWA Paul Thomas is an Artist and Co-founder of the Jerwood Drawing Prize. His art practice is far-reaching, having exhibited in England, Scotland, France, Germany, Switzerland and Australia. Paul has extensive experience in art education, most recently as the Head of Painting at the University of Gloucestershire. Paul is the author of artist’s books such as The Millennium Bestiary and The Iliad & The Odyssey, he co –authored the textbook Drawing (with Anita Taylor), and his drawings feature in academic textbooks published in the UK, France and USA.

Supported by THE BRITISH COUNCIL

NEW TASKFORCE TO PLAN FUTURE FOR NATIONAL ART SCHOOL

Wednesday, 24 January 2007

MEDIA RELEASE


Education Minister Carmel Tebbutt today announced the NSW Government was terminating the Expression of Interest process for the transfer of the National Art School (NAS) to a university

“A taskforce will be established to provide advice to the Government on options to maintain the integrity of the School’s artistic and educational philosophy and enhance its long term financial viability.”

“Securing the School’s future will be the taskforce’s priority,” Ms Tebbutt said.

“The Government is committed to the NAS and its important role in providing first class training to future artists.

“This unique institution has a proud history dating back almost 150 years, providing an environment where artists of international renown have honed their skills and talents,” Ms Tebbutt said.

The Task Force will investigate and report on:

1. Options for securing the ongoing financial viability of the National Art School;
2. Options for the National Art School’s future governance arrangements including the possibility of establishing the National Art School as a stand alone educational institution;
3. Options for the use, including commercial use, of the under-utilised or unoccupied buildings on the site, having regard to the site’s heritage value.

The Task Force will be led by Sandra Yates AO, Chair of the Sydney Writers Festival and Chair of the NSW TAFE Commission, and include representation from the NAS as well as relevant government agencies, including Arts NSW.

The Taskforce will report on options for the future of the NAS by the end of the year.

“I am sure that students, staff and the artistic community will continue to support and promote this outstanding and unique institution,” Ms Tebbutt said.

National Art School Prizes 2006

Art School Ball Drawing Prizes
1st year Gail Jackson
2nd Year Stephen Benwell
The John Olsen Highly Commended Drawing Prize
Troy Quinliven
Blankcanvas Award
Stephen Benwell
Friends of the NAS Prizes
1st Year student : Matilda Michell
2nd year students :
Maran Clark
Justin Cooper
Rhianna Wessels
Georgina Hathway
Alice Stokes
Robert Baird
Amanda Coulston
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare
Kevin McKay
Georgina Hathway
Stephen Benwell
Madeleine Riisfeldt

Final year BFA prizes
Art History & Theory
Keith Climpson
Ceramics Art & Perception Prize
Huey Ling Teo
Janet Mansfield Ceramic Award
Clarissa Regan
The Inner City Clayworkers Gallery Student Award show
Kathryn Dickson
Sydney Olympic Park Residency – Ceramics
(Four week residency at Sydney Olympic Park)
Keiko Matsui
Australian Ceramics Directory Award
Eugenie Spiteri
The Journal of Australian Ceramics Award
Lyndall Hill
Mura Clay Solo Exhibition Award
Sarah O’Sullivan
Mura Clay Gallery Award (group exhibition)
Kathryn Dickson
Huey Ling Teo
Eugenie Spiteri
Reuben Michaelis-Brand
N.E. Pethebridge Awards
Sarah O’Sullivan
Eugenie Spiteri
ADFAS Award ($1000 )
Kathryn Dickson
Art School Ball Prize for Drawing ($1000)
Rebecca Pearson
The John Olsen Drawing Prize ($1,000)
Fareed Haddad
The John Olsen Highly Commended Drawing Prize
($1000 split with a 2nd Year student)
Rebecca Pearson
The Lab Photography Prize
Louise Spence
NAVA Photography Award
Erez Ben-Or
The Kayell Photography Prize
Erez Ben-Or
The Joel Corrigan Memorial Photography Award ($1,000)
Emma Thomson
Sydney Olympic Park Residency – Printmaking
Tara Ubaldi
The Van Ogtrop Printmaking Award
Lauren Murphy
The Stella Downer Printmaking Award
James Peck
Sydney Olympic Park Residencies – Sculpture
Michael Marris
Bernadette Jones
The Julian Beaumont Sculpture Prize ($5,000)
Kate Stehr
The Sydney Art Cooperative Studio Award
Adele Merdjanic
Clare Flanagan
Sydney Olympic Park Residency – Painting
Osnat Almog
William Fletcher Trust Award
Michelle Heldon
Chroma Paints Award
Kathryn Cowen
Parkers Sydney Fine Art Supplies Award ($1000 for materials)
Emma Cummings
Parkers Sydney Fine Art Framing Award ($1000 for framing)
Keith Climpson
St Vincent’s Hospital FONAS Exhibition Award
Genevieve Harnett
The Reg Richardson Travelling Scholarship ($2500)
Agnes Tyson
The Paris Studio Residency
Anne-Laure Druais

The Clitheroe Foundation Honours Painting Scholarship 2007
An extraordinarily generous scholarship of $20,000 to support an exceptional student to undertake Honours at the NAS
Jane Sandford

Job opportunities available for part time Visiting Artists for 2007

Studio based artists/tutors required to pursue their art and contribute to National Art School academic programs. Up to 4 positions in the following disciplines: Drawing, Painting, Photography, Ceramics, Sculpture, Printmaking, Cross-media.

For further details or information on how to apply please contact Ravella Irving, Human Resources Officer, on 02 9339 8702 or by email ravella.irving@det.nsw.edu.au. Applications close 15 December 2006.

Josh Heath wins Qantas Spirit of Youth award - again!

Congratulations to 2005 NAS Hons Photography graduate Josh Heath on winning the Photography section of the Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards for the second year in a row.

See http://www.soya.com.au and click on Photography for a sample of his work.

Rod Smith finalist in Paddington Art Prize

NAS Painting department's Rod Smith is a finalist in the Paddington Art Prize - congratulations Rod!

Rodney Pople wins Redlands Art Prize

Congratulations to NAS Painting lecturer Rodney Pople on winning the 2006 Redlands Westpac Art Prize.

DEGREE SHOW 06

Work by Final year students majoring in ceramics, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture

To be opened by Tim Storrier
On Thursday 30 November at 6pm in the Cell Block Theatre

Exhibition continues until Thursday 7 December
11.00 am – 5.00 pm (closed Sunday)

NAS Gallery
Project Space (Building 25)
The Chapel (Building 28)
The Cell Block Theatre
The Kennal
Drawing Studio (Building 5)

National Art School mourns loss of Australia’s eminent abstractionist, John Coburn AO

John Coburn AO who was Australia’s most eminent abstract painter leaves behind a legacy of being a major artistic figure and contributor to the history of the visual arts in Australia.

Born in Ingham, Queensland, Coburn left school at 14. He worked in a bank before serving in the navy during World War II and in 1947, Coburn’s artistic ambitions were nearly thwarted when he arrived in Sydney a week too late for the entrance test to study drawing and painting at the then East Sydney Technical College, now the National Art School.

Fortunately, a sympathetic lecturer looked over Coburn’s drawings, a series inspired by Australian WWII artist, Frank Norton. Coburn was immediately accepted on the merit of his drawings alone and coincidently, that sympathetic lecturer was indeed the artist Frank Norton himself.

Coburn studied art at the National Art School and went on to become a lecturer and then Principal of the National Art School from 1972-74.

In 2004 the NAS invited him to become a Fellow, along with Peter Rushforth (2003) and Colin Lanceley (2002).

“Coburn, one of Australia’s most significant artists was a much-loved individual and teacher at the NAS. We mourn his passing and send our sympathy and support to his family and to his daughter Kristin who is now a graduating student here at the School,” says Geoff Ireland Acting Director, National Art School.

Coburn’s influences were many and varied. In 1953, he saw an exhibition of modern French paintings and became "a committed abstractionist". His work was also informed by the Renaissance religious paintings, indigenous art and nature. Coburn’s distinctive use of glowing colour, form and shape in such a sustained fashion culminated in his own decorative and distinctive style.

One of Coburn’s better known commissions was his design of the great tapestry curtains for the Sydney Opera House - Curtain of the Sun and Curtain of the Moon (shown above).

HONOURS SHOW 06

View the outstanding artwork of the 23 graduating Honours Students from 2006

To be opened by John Olsen OBE
On Thursday 2 November at 6.00pm
National Art School Gallery

Exhibition continues until Thursday 9 November
11.00am – 5.00pm (closed Sunday)

NAS Gallery, Project Space (Building 25), Gardens, Building 22 & Building 5

DRAWCARD 06

The NAS small canvas fundraising exhibition where all artworks sell for $250.

Opening: 6pm Thursday 19 October
Preview: 11am-6pm Wednesday 18 & Thursday 19 October

Exhibition continues until Thursday 26 October (excluding Sunday) 11am-5pm in the National Art School Gallery.

Artwork by Elizabeth Cummings

Welcome

We have developed this blog with the aim of providing timely information to students, staff and the public on National Art School events, courses and people. Posts will include details of upcoming exhibitions, Art Forum lectures, special events and much more.