Art Department 

Report 

Immersed in Art: Year 12 VCE Art Making & Exhibiting Students Explore Melbourne’s Creative Heart 

Woodmans Hill Secondary College Year 12 VCE Art Making and Exhibiting students embarked on an inspiring journey to Melbourne at the end of Term 1. 

A highlight of the excursion was the visit to the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV International). Students were enveloped in Kusama’s world of bold colour, repetition, and infinity, engaging with large-scale installations that dissolved the boundary between artwork and viewer. From the hypnotic mirrored rooms to the whimsical polka-dot pumpkins, the exhibition invited students to reflect on how immersive art can challenge traditional notions of space and audience engagement. 

Alongside their sensory journey through Kusama’s universe, students closely examined the exhibition design and curatorial decisions that shaped the experience. Observing how lighting, spatial arrangement, and interpretive text contributed to the storytelling of the exhibition provided valuable insights relevant to their own curatorial practices and folio work. 

The excursion also included a visit to the Top Arts exhibition at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, where students viewed exemplary works by their VCE peers from across the state. This was a unique opportunity to connect with the broader creative community, gaining inspiration from high-caliber visual responses that showcased diverse themes, materials, and conceptual development. 

No trip to Melbourne’s creative scene would be complete without a stroll down Hosier Lane. As students wandered through the ever-evolving graffiti alleyway, they encountered raw, spontaneous street art that contrasted with the curated spaces of the galleries.  

Throughout the day, students navigated the rhythms of the city—experiencing the bustle of public transport, the sensory overload of Melbourne’s laneways, and the eclectic sights and sounds that define the urban artscape. These encounters added a vibrant layer to their day of art appreciation, reminding them that inspiration often lies just outside the gallery walls. 

This excursion was not only an educational outing but a memorable experience that deepened students’ understanding of contemporary art practices and the complexities of exhibition-making in today’s world. 

Congratulations to Wilby Fredericks — Winner of the 2024 Next Gen Award for Innovation 

We are thrilled to announce that Wilby Fredericks was awarded the prestigious 2024 Next Gen “Award for Innovation” for his outstanding Year 12 Visual Communication Design piece, ‘Nunatak’ — a unique brand identity that showcases design excellence across product development, digital media, and sustainable thinking. 

Wilby’s winning submission included a custom-designed chalk bag prototype, screenprinted fabric elements, and digital prints on paper, aluminium, and timber — all unified under the ‘Nunatak’ brand.  

Judges praised the work, stating: 

"Nunatak is an exceptional example of innovation in design, seamlessly blending branding, typography, product development, and environmental consciousness. The thoughtful approach to sustainability, combined with a strong visual identity and functional prototype, demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of contemporary design principles. This is a forward-thinking and highly intentional piece of communication design that speaks to the future of creative enterprise. 

A polished presentation of a professional level, the use of materials across media types was very accomplished. The product was made to a high standard and the use of screen printing on fabric showed a high attention to detail." 

A big thank you to VCE Visual Communication Design teacher Siobhan Finn, whose guidance and encouragement played an important role in Wilby’s success. 

Wilby’s work is currently on display at the Art Gallery of Ballarat's new temporary site on at 43 Mair Street (in the old Blockbuster building) until the 11th of May.