Art adventures and opportunities

Master Printmakers: Year 10s at the NGV

As part of the Year 10 Art course students have been to visit the NGV to view the work of the Japanese woodblock artist Hokusai (1760 to 1849) and the American printmaker Jim Dine (born in 1935 in Cincinnati, Ohio). Hokusai was a huge influence on the Post Impressionists such as Gauguin and Van Gogh. Jim Dine is a master printmaker who was a big part of the pop Art movement in the 1960’s which featured iconic artists such as Andy Warhol and Robert Rauschenberg.

 As part of the Art curriculum students look at symbols in Art and the creation of imagery which has more context than what you see. This use of symbols is ever present in the works of both Hokusai and Dine. Hokusai has used images like the one of Mt Fuji to reflect upon identity, isolation and eternal life and Dine has used tools from his father’s childhood workshop and Jungian philosophy to look at links with our past and the personal symbols that can represent it.

Students were able to reflect upon specific images within the exhibitions and study them both visually and contextually in regards to both technique and content.

Hokusai is currently showing at the NGV International from July 21 to October 15.

Jim Dine is showing at the NGV International from July 8 to October 15.

We're looking forward to offering some innovative new Visual Arts courses for next year's Year 9 and 10 students as part of the Northcote Model.  Students will have the opportunity to undertake such exciting  courses as the Science of Art, Dream Theory, the Art of Storytelling and the Art of Revolution. See the article 'Course Selection 2018' in this newsletter for further links regarding the Northcote Model.

Jerome Rush

Teacher of Yr 10 Art

Learning the art of Still Life

Drawing is the foundation of many art and design processes however it is also an opportunity for a still moment outside of our noisy lives, of clarified focus. The Art Department is offering students and teachers the opportunity to work their drawing muscles every Thursday at lunchtime in the C-Block Open Studio with ongoing revolving Still Life themes.  

This week we have combined cow skulls, and dry gums contrasted with the vibrant colour of natives taken from Ms. Martins very own garden. The year 8 art classes have begun developing these skills through their own still life studies and looking at the work of Margaret Preston through to contemporary artist Adam Pyett.  There is also a little exhibit to compeiment the Still Life, which demonstrates the changing directions and interpretations of this genre through time in Australian Art. Workshops will also be occurring to offer guidance in drawing skills, materials and techniques. All welcome!

Art Faculty staff