From the Visual Arts Department

Year 11 & 12 Visual Arts Excursion: ARTEXPRESS and Ron Mueck Exhibition 

Year 11 and Year 12 Visual Arts students recently attended an excursion to view ARTEXPRESS and the exhibition of internationally renowned sculptor Ron Mueck at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. 

ARTEXPRESS showcases a selection of outstanding Higher School Certificate Visual Arts major works from students across New South Wales. Viewing these works provided students with valuable insight into the high standard of creativity, technical skill, and conceptual thinking required for the Visual Arts Body of Work. Students were able to closely examine the materials, techniques, and presentation methods used by graduating students, gaining inspiration and a clearer understanding of how ideas can be developed and communicated through artmaking. 

Students also explored the powerful sculptural works of Ron Mueck. His hyper realistic sculptures, often presented at unexpected scales, encouraged students to reflect on themes of the human condition, vulnerability, and emotional expression. The extraordinary level of detail in Mueck’s work prompted students to consider how scale, realism, and perspective can dramatically influence the way audiences experience an artwork. 

As part of the excursion, students also participated in a digital workshop where they created a short film exploring the concepts of scale and perspective. Working collaboratively, students used creative camera angles and compositional techniques to experiment with visual illusion, manipulating the apparent size and spatial relationships of objects and people. This hands-on activity allowed students to apply ideas encountered in the exhibitions while developing their own creative responses through moving image. 

The excursion was both inspiring and informative, providing students with a valuable opportunity to experience significant artworks firsthand while also engaging in creative experimentation. Many students left the gallery with new ideas and motivation as they continue to develop their own artistic practice. 

Amal Siorokos

Visual Arts Teacher