Visual Arts

There have been many standout moments this term in Visual Arts across all year groups. We take this moment to once again recognise the beautiful exhibition of the Year 12 students’ HSC Bodies of Work and to thank our outgoing Visual Arts Captain Mia Butcher for her thoughtful, self effacing leadership. Mia you are an inspiration to the students who will aspire to this position in the future, thank you Mia!

Once in a while exhibitions arrive in Sydney’s museums and galleries that imprint themselves indelibly on our memory as rare encounters that become must-see experiences, especially for younger viewers negotiating the immense scope of the artworld.

We have taken every year group (except Year 11 who should go these holidays before it closes on Sunday 5 October) to the remarkable exhibition Yolŋu Power: the art of Yirrkala.

For close to a century, the artists of Yirrkala from North-East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory have turned to art as a form of cultural diplomacy, in gracious yet resolute expressions of power. That power resonates in many forms: sovereignty and influence, authority and control, vitality, resilience and pride.

The exhibition traces moments of profound change, when artists have chosen to reimagine their practice, embrace new media, or shape entirely new visual languages.  It also situates the vision of individual artists within the wider lineage of Yirrkala and the surrounding Miwatj Country, whose artists have collectively contributed to Australian art, and to the evolving currents of international practice, in both profound and enduring ways.

Here are some comments from students:

What drew me to ‘Mokuy Spirits’ was that it was a reminder that the past is inseparable from the present.

Savannah Ryan (Year 7)

This work ‘Gurtha’ is fascinating. The artist has chosen to use the idea of a road sign, to show that is how the Europeans see country as an object (a place that belongs to them). But, country is much more than that for Indigenous people. It is an emotion, connection and this artwork is a protest, showing that ‘country’ is something much more significant.

Mia Castro (Year 7)

The painting feels alive and powerful as if it is showing nature. This artwork is communicating deep connection.

Amerleah Leota (Year 9)

I was drawn to Mokuy Spirits (2015) by Nawurapu Wunungmurra because of its ghostly atmosphere and bold figures. It depicts ghosts, spirits and otherworldly shadows or “mokuy” which are said to inhabit burial grounds, caught in the spiritual world and incarnation. I like how these create the idea that human life is finite, but the spirit is forever.

Camille Asher (Year 10)

The Yolŋu power exhibition is a visually striking exhibition that presents the spiritual power of Indigenous art. The exhibition was a curated series of works that provoked profound reflection while also being aesthetically arresting. I found it extremely interesting.

Giulia Peroni (Year 10)

And finally, we celebrate a new addition to the SCEGGS programming the new en plein air painting masterclass for Year 9 at La Perouse headland with Old Girl Lilli Stromland (CLASS of 2012) and winner of the Ravenswood Women’s Art Prize (Emerging Category). Students immersed themselves in the landscape and the experience of working outdoors. This experience underscored the importance of being present in the natural world, slowing down, and allowing creativity to emerge through direct engagement with the environment.

Here is a reflection on the day by Perri Lawrence and Josephine Wheater

On Wednesday 3 September, the Year 9 Visual Arts classes went on an excursion to La Perouse headland, to paint ‘en plein air’, (outdoors), a technique used by the French Impressionists to accurately capture the environment around them. We were taken through 4 steps to create our painting by Lilli Strömland, SCEGGS old girl and winner of the 2025 Ravenswood emerging artist prize. Lilli demonstrated each step to us as a group, talking us through the techniques and colours we should use, and then we settled on our picnic blankets with friends to paint.

We painted the beautiful cliffside and harbour, as well as the surrounding bushes and flowers. Thankfully, the weather was lovely, meaning we could enjoy the sun (while trying not to get sunburnt!) and have a well-lit scene. At lunchtime, we treated ourselves to ice creams and slushies from a neighbouring ice cream truck, before finishing off our final details.

Our steps for painting were to first lay down a thin base of bright reds and oranges, (which scared us a bit at first!), in order to figure out our composition and create contrast for our future colours. Next we began adding in some greens and browns for the mid and foreground with a large brush, plotting out the darkest shadows in the headland. Then, we added in the sky and ocean while painting further detail into the midtones of the cliffs and bushes. Finally we put in highlights and smaller details in the foreground with a tiny brush. 

Although everyone followed through the same steps, each painting had their own unique style and colour palette, reflecting the diverse range of skills and experience everyone had. Overall, it was a brilliant day thanks to the incredible planning from the art department and especially Lilli!

Here are some images from Year 9 excursion:

Have a wonderful holiday, everyone, from the Arts Department.

Banner Acknowledgement: This week’s banner is Perri Lawrence’s painting from the La Perouse excursion.

Heidi Jackson
Head of Visual Arts