Visual Arts

In week 3, we took Year 8 Visual Arts students on an excursion to visit the First Nations Gallery at the Australian Museum and to the Yiribana Gallery at the Art Gallery of NSW. We were so proud of our students’ engagement, interest and deep learning throughout the day. The immersion experience across both galleries meant that students had the time to expand their awareness and explore and enrich their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art practice and culture. Their independent assignment work is also significantly building their understanding and knowledge of the world’s oldest continuous living culture. Here is what some of our students said about their experience: 

At the Yiribana Gallery, I learnt that the artworks are so much deeper than just ‘putting paint on a canvas’. The way in which the artist depicts their work always has a reason, these aspects help the viewer to understand their intentions and stories. Often these works convey the impact that they have felt or the way that they are treated, and the connection to Country that Aboriginal peoples feel and sustain is felt through the way the piece is formed.   

The first artwork our class looked at was named Warlugulong, a Papunya Tula artwork originating from the Northern Territory. The artwork conveyed a Dreaming story derived from the artists’ Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri and  Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri’s culture.  
Annabel Lavery 

From learning outside the classroom, I can see how First Nations artworks from different Language Groups are so unlike one another and I better understand the different styles each group uses.  

In person you can see the texture in the artworks which brings them to life. 
Akansha Singh 

I learned about the different styles of artworks from different Language Groups and different regions. 

I especially liked learning about the symbols in Papunya Tula paintings such as “The Tingari Story” painting where concentric circles and connecting lines as well as shapes within the lines pose as lines of the journey. 
Francesca Maughan 

It was very calm and quiet allowing me to think clearly. I learnt more about Aboriginal art and culture throughout this excursion.  
Inès Lumei  

Walking through the gallery was so interesting as there were so many different art styles and methods. It was amazing to see the different regional styles and the way different people think of and represent similar things.  
Josephine Wheater 

When I went into the Yiribana Gallery it was fascinating to see so many different types of styles of painting, sketching and designing. My dad is an artist, and his artworks are not like other artist’s paintings, he mostly does sketches and dot paintings.  
Lottie Coulthard 

Learning outside the classroom has helped me to see and understand the many different symbols and Language Groups that are from Aboriginal culture. This has also helped me to learn about different perspectives, traditions and Dreaming stories.   
Nina Genc 

I have learned that First Nations art has evolved over time. Traditional Indigenous art included a range of forms including painting on bark, wood carving, rock painting using ochre (ground up powder with water), and sandpainting. Sandpainting lasts until it is blown away by the wind and returns to its rightful place, Country. More recently, First Nations art is called ‘contemporary art’. It can involve political messages and sculptures. Some contemporary art uses bright colours using acrylic paint, instead of using traditional materials. Even though the art looks different, it still has the same message. Connection to Country.   
Annabelle Jessup 

This week’s banner is a selection of watercolours from Ms Tesoriero’s Year 8 class. Students are exploring a place significant to them in multimedia works, that include these paintings, collage, photography and poetry.

Heidi Jackson
Head of Visual Arts