VCE Studio Arts Workshop 

Recognising Identity

On Tuesday 17th April, the VCE Studio Arts class participated in an Art Making Workshop with Jenny Murray-Jones as the guest artist and, Gail Frost, the Geelong Art Gallery Education Officer.

Students were honoured to hear Jenny Murray-Jones share her story and speak about historical aspects of her indigenous family, country and culture.  Jenny spoke about the symbolic tree markings where lines and patterns were engraved in the trunks of trees to symbolise and identify ancestral country.  Jenny also spoke of the cultural importance of protecting the land, plants and animals through connection to personal totems and for the sustainability of our planet Earth.  

The students used the information, stories and visual images provided as sources of inspiration to create a personal, visual response in the form of an identifying totem or in a story of connection to family and culture. 

Being involved in this workshop was a valuable learning experience as students worked with an accomplished practicing artist and had the opportunity to develop a deeper appreciation and respect for Australian indigenous people and their culture.  

The artwork collectively created by our VCE students will be a part of the “We see Recognition” exhibition to be held at Geelong Art Gallery from May 19th to July 8th as part of NAIDOC week and National Reconciliation Week in recognition of local indigenous art, culture, country and community.

The artwork will return to MFG in July. It will be displayed with the other murals past students of MFG have made over the last three years as a result of our annual involvement in this programme.  We look forward to our continuing participating which is generously funded by the Victorian Department of Education and Training.

Jana van Galen

Arts Learning Area Leader