Between Waves

On the 24th of August, the art department took our year 11 and 12 Artmaking and Exhibiting students into Melbourne to see “Between Waves”, an exhibition at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) to assist them in their unit two and four studies respectively. The exhibition was part of the Yalingwa exhibition series devoted to highlighting the significance of First Nations contemporary art practice of the Southeast within a national context. 

The day started off with our students meeting staff at the college, we then made our way to the train station for the journey to Flinders Street station.  After a short break, students and staff made a brief visit to the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) to explore their permanent collection. Many of the students found work that was interesting and inspiring, with many being drawn to pieces that related to their ongoing exploration of concepts in their own work. The students particularly enjoyed the NGV’s European painting salon and Grand Hall.

We then made our way down to ACCA, where students were greeted by gallery staff who took them through the exhibition and discussed the various artworks and concepts. Between Waves looked at concepts related to light, time and vision and the idea of shining a light on our times – expressed by the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung word ‘Yalingwa’. The exhibition presented the work of ten artists and collectives who variously explore the visible and invisible energy fields set in motion by these ideas, to illuminate interconnected shapeshifting ecologies within, beyond and between what can be seen. 

Our students represented the college exceptionally well, with many asking questions to fuel discussion with the curatorial staff of the gallery and they demonstrated our college values whilst they were in this public space.

Overall, it was a successful and fulfilling day for our students.

Catherine Barretta and James Geary, Craigieburn Secondary College Art Department.