National Gallery Excursion

The Year 9 Sculpture excursion to National Gallery Victoria was a wonderful opportunity for students to look at sculpture “In the round” in preparation for their carved forms. The students had a great day of slowly drawing from observation, looking at works from different historical and cultural contexts and sharing their experiences of the artworks. We thank Rafael who gave us an impromptu talk, sharing his personal insight into the Patricia Piccinini work 'Nest' . The students' study of Ron Mueck's 'Mass' was a real highlight. Go and see it over the term break!  NGV – Australia 3rd floor. 

Ms. Andreovski

Below, three students reflect on their experience viewing Ron Mueck's work 'Mass'.

“I entered the NGV not expecting much until I came across a room, dark and moody but light enough to see all the details, “Mass” Ron Muecks 100 skulls towered neatly upon one another. I felt as though I was dreaming, all of them unique as if all had an unknown past.” Samuel Evans

“As we arrived at the entrance to the gallery at the NGV International and walked through to the first room a group of skulls were scattered around in a dark room, with a spotlight on each, the skulls stood out and just those three skulls were enough to evoke emotions of shock, excitement and curiosity. We then walked into the second, larger room that held the pile of skulls. They were haphazardly piled on top of each other, towering over you making you feel small, and scared that they would come tumbling down, but still curious. The dark room made these sculpture stand out and highlighted the different details and lines of the skulls, some had a couple of teeth, some had a full line, others had none, each were hand carved and with that you could see the small, intricate details that made each of these skulls unique and added to the overwhelming and memorable experience.  

The soft detailed lines, and curves contrasted with the plain, simple white color of the sculptures, they were all placed gently at different angles, so you were able to see every side of the skulls from different part of the room, to make you walk around. The size of these skulls was made to make you notice them, to be forced to look at them since their size made them take up your view and capture your focus. These 100 hands made skulls made me first think about death, but the simple, soft, curved, towering shapes made you recognize that it is natural and normal but still daunting, which these skulls capture.”  Sweeney Dean

“When I walked into the gallery I saw lots of art and people. Some art was small some art was big. Some were paintings some were sculptures. But one caught my eye it was the giant skulls. There was tones of massive skulls filling up the room.  

They were bone chilling. There was so many placed in random places filling the room to the roof. There wasn’t any colour only white but yet there felt like there was more. Maybe that the room was not bright, giving off lots of shadows. 

When I walk in it makes me feel judged. All those eyes looking at you wherever you walk. When walking around all I could think of is how long did it take to make it. “

Paddy McGain