Visual Arts Hobart Learning Trip
Over the last 7 years we have taken our senior VCE Visual Arts students to Tasmania. This began when there was a relevant exhibition being shown at MONA. Since then we have found this trip a wonderful experience for our students. As the girls have mentioned in their reviews, there are so many mediums, and concepts for our students on exhibit. The variety of artwork influences our students to be more confident with decisions they will make with their own studies.
The bonding and relationships that are built during this time helps the students be a cohesive group. From experience in the past they will assist one another in their studies to excel.
This year we incorporated a live magician/comedy show which we all enjoyed. The architecture was interesting as the theatre was built into the rock face. We all shared a good laugh at the expense of some of our group and others. We were serenaded by the owner of the hotel where we had dinner on the Saturday night, and we enjoyed eating dinner provided by food trucks on the Friday night. The weather was stunning which allowed us to enjoy the ferry ride to MONA even more.
It has been a great pleasure for Kara and myself to take these lovely girls to Tassie, and enjoy their happy faces and open eyes.
A big thank you to the parents who allowed us to share this experience with their daughters.
Deb Pettigrew
Head of Visual Arts
Reflection by Betty
Both Studio Arts and VCD Units students were extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Tasmania this year, especially during the stressful times of Year 12, and the recurrence of covid. Hobart, as a delightful and breezy city, made everyone feel pleasant and at ease. We went to the MONA museum and the Tasmania Art Gallery during our three-day trip.
The avant-garde and ultra-modern artwork enthralled us all, and MONA's innovative architectural design enticed us all. We immersed ourselves in the exhibition as soon as we entered. We were all inspired by the many art styles that had various creative concepts behind them, which is great inspiration for our folio work.
On the last day of our trip, we went to the Art Gallery of Tasmania, which specialised in traditional oil painting artworks and sculptures. The walls were covered in paintings that provided a strong sense of history and beauty; everyone was impressed by the artists' use of colour, tonal variation and subject matter, among other things. It was a fantastic trip for me, and I believe it was for all of us.
(Betty) Beiqi Z
Reflection by Emily
The Saturday of the trip was aimed around visiting the Museum of Old and New Art, otherwise known as MONA. Crossing the water on a high-speed catamaran boat decorated with playful jungle animal seats and abstract art. Arriving at Mona was quite underwhelming as there was little above ground drawing in attention. The actual gallery is built underground, once you enter the museum’s entrance, you descend a carved-out spiral staircase to reveal this grand foyer that ventured off into various display spaces.
My favourite aspect of the museum was how immersive the atmosphere was. There was no one way direction to follow. Instead, you turn a corner and question whether you missed any secret passageways or artworks. This added the element of surprise and eagerness to step foot in every metre of the underground gallery. It was like you yourself were an artwork, weaving between different eras and styles, colours and forms. Rooms ranged from compact to enormous, some carved out of the natural rock face, and others decorated in luscious velvet greens with live music playing. There was a machine replicating the digestive system (and yes, it did smell!), to a Madonna-themed video installation, to an aluminium-covered room that glistened with1000 different colours, I have never seen art so innovative and breath-taking.
A big thank you to the art department for organising this remarkable trip, it was the most incredible experience and I know, I’ll remember indefinitely.
Emily B
Reflection by Victoria
The Mona experience was unforgettable. I am a Year 11 student, studying Studio Arts Unit 3. It was an amazing opportunity to interact with Year 12 students, go to Salamanca markets, enjoy food trucks on Friday night, a comedy magician on Saturday night and to take photos for my folio (I took an analogue, film camera).
We stayed at the Quest Hotel, a short way from the Mona Roma ferry and extremely close to the markets. This convenient placement further immersed us in the Hobart environment, making the experience more memorable.
This trip was great for every student’s independence and creativity. From little creations at the market, the Tasmanian museum and Art Gallery, and of course, Mona. There were many inspirational pieces which I intend to use as references in my folio this year. This was a great opportunity to convert our attention solely to art. I am so grateful I was provided with this opportunity, as it was truly amazing.
Victoria F