Visual Arts

We have been fortunate to have already run 2 full day excursions with Year 8 and Year 9 this term! Year 8 visited the First Nations Gallery at the Australian Museum and Yiribana, the recently reopened Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Galleries in the new wing of the Art Gallery of NSW. Year 9 visited the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park exploring the architecture and art of this significant building before spending the afternoon in Sydney Modern exploring 3 levels of the new gallery with a particular focus on sculpture.

These immersive and active learning experiences bring art into focus outside of the classroom, off the screen or beyond a reproduction and students are invited to discover and explore art in the context of public space and Sydney’s unique institutional resources. Learning is richer and deeper when our students can see and explore real world collections and exhibitions. These can be used to teach observational skills that are critical for everything from improved reading and analysis to researching in a deeper and more sustained manner. Through these experiences, our students come to see learning as a search for knowledge rather than a mere process of being fed information.

Here is what Year 9 students had to say when asked what they learned, loved or discovered through their excursion

We learned about different variations of sculpture and explored how sculpture can engage an audience. Our favourite part was constructing the clay in the Sydney Modern installation. It was very therapeutic and relaxing.

Ingrid Fairbairn and Skyla Young

I loved the physical artworks that engaged with the viewer. I loved learning about the installation at the Anzac Memorial.

Yolanda Liu

I enjoyed learning about the ANZAC Memorial. I learned about the symbolism throughout the architecture and the art. One of my favourite symbols was the stone and earth that was taken from the 100 sites of service and the stone in the niches taken from the different significant sites in WWI. I loved learning about all the symbolism in the Memorial and “Seeing from This Place” by Isabel and Alfredo Aquilzah in the gallery.

Aliyah Bensan

During our art excursion, we visited the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park. We learnt about the designers and architects responsible for this amazing building and explored a sculpture called “Sacrifice” by Rayner Hoff. This is a confronting depiction of a dead soldier, lying on his shield, held up by 3 women. The sculpture captured the horror and sadness of the First World War.

Catherine Jenkins

It was interesting to hear of the thought process in creating the War Memorial. I learnt about the installation by Fiona Hall at the Memorial and the impressive open roof that lets rain in. I loved the architecture of the new wing.

Josie Kuklik

In our art excursion all Year 9 were able to gain a whole new insight into sculptures in Australian History. Through going to the Anzac Memorial we learnt how Australia’s part during the war influenced sculpture within the Memorial. It unveiled a new perspective.

Skyla Young

Learned: Shadows and lighting working together in a piece of art.
Loved: The blue yarn snake at Sydney Modern.
Discovered: the use of mirrors can distort perception if used correctly.

I learnt that shadows can be really significant. Part of a sculpture, sometimes the main part. I loved the bowl with the teeth and fists. I discovered how much the use of mirrors can distort human perception of reality.

Emma Conway

Learnt: I learnt about a range of sculptures and the history of architecture in the War Memorial. Loved: I loved creating the clay balls at Sydney Modern because it was fun and interactive and also calming.
Discovered: I discovered that when a friend or family sent a letter to a soldier in War they would put in eucalyptus leaves to remind them of being home through the scent.

Camille Coonan

I really enjoyed the art excursion to the War Memorial and AGNSW. I learnt about different elements of sculpture and loved participating in Himsooja’s “Archive of Mind” where we made clay balls for an installation. Throughout the excursion I discovered different sculptures which revealed how different elements and materials are used to relate to site and audience.

Hannah Doolan

My favourite part of the excursion was making the clay balls. This is because we could calm down after an exciting day. We could reflect on all the artworks we had seen in the day. We learnt about how different and diverse sculpture can be and all different materials that artists use to convey meaning.

Willow Buchanan and Annie Stackpool

Learned: I learned about history of the War Memorial.
Loved: The clay balls and getting to make them in silence.

Luella Walsh

I enjoyed learning about the history of the art in the War Memorial and all the symbolic meaning embedded in the architecture and sculpture. At the Art Gallery I liked the stainless steel Captain Cook sculpture by Michael Parekowhai and how different interpretations are offered through the sculpture. One is that Cook is reflecting on the past and regretting decisions and the clever use of a reflective material conveys this. I liked discovering all about the architecture and history of the War Memorial.

Jessica Board

This week’s banner is from Zoe Butcher (Year 8).

Heidi Jackson
Head of Visual Arts