VISUAL ARTS 

ArtExpress - 2024

Congratulations to our 2024 HSC Visual Arts students Hayley Taskis and Luis Lemiri on their acceptance for ArtExpress 2024.

ArtExpress is the annual showcase of outstanding student Bodies of Work and an acceptance is recognition of Hayley and Luis’s dedication to artistry and excellence in artistic practice. The Bodies of Work will be exhibited at various galleries around NSW throughout 2025, and we are very proud of these Wyndham College students and their teachers.

Artist: Hayley Taskis

Title: Holy Glow: Embracing the Divine

Expressive Form: Collection of Works (Drawing & Sculpture)

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

The intention of this piece is to visually depict the awe of Christ and His influence in human lives, particularly presented as a light source. Not merely providing sight but warmth, this work displays comfort and delicacy as intimate features are shown to be intricately addressed and intentionally presented as a response to the source of light that is the sculpture of Christ. In addition, this work illustrates clear appreciation for the classical masters and particularly inspired by 17th century Italian sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini. My appreciation for classical art from eras such as Bernini's lies evident in the fact that works of this time were built on a consistent foundation in regards to theme. This theme being Love and/or Biblical representation. An ever present concept in artworks of the old masters. I believe this mindset of creating for the glory of God is what makes the classics classic. The awe of art in this era that the modern art world can never compare to resides in the presence and acknowledgement of God.

Influential artists: Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Artist: Luis Lemiri

Title: AK-M7

Expressive Form: Photomedia

AK-M7 is an intense response to JR’s "Portrait of a Generation." Through striking, confrontational imagery, my body of work captures the harsh reality of racial profiling and social judgement. Young Sudanese men like myself are often misunderstood and seen in the public eye as a nuisance or a dark destructive force.

Preconceived ideas and first impressions of an individual can be catastrophic. My photographic work forces the viewer to inspect, investigate and connect with what is truly authentic. Many might see the images as threatening, intrusive and annoyingly typical. However, using video cameras as a substitute for weaponry in truth is the perfect device to initiate the right conversation between people.

My photographs draw a haunting parallel to the civil war in Sudan, where boys as young as ten are forcibly recruited into the rebel armies, stripped of their youth, voices and choices. My work exposes the stark contrast in how my friends and I are treated compared to others.

Influencing artists: JR, James Nachtwey

Congratulations to Film Studies student Hayley Bourke and the Visual Arts faculty.

Hayley has been selected as finalist in this year's V-Fest competition, that will screen her short film “PSA ANNOUNCMENT” in the senior section. The film festival is hosted by Rose Bay Secondary College and all finalists are to be screened at the famous Chauvel Cinema in Paddington. 

This year the competition received an overwhelming number of entries (55 in total). On the night 23 films in total will be screened from the Junior and Senior Section with fantastic prizes to be won.

If you are unable to make the LIVE screening, V-Fest 2024 will also be simultaneously screened on YouTube.

Screening night at the Chauvel Cinema on Monday 9th December.

Year 11 Portrait Prize 2024 

The Visual Arts Department is proud to share the Year 11 Visual Arts Portrait Prize exhibition for 2024. Thank you to everyone who attended the exhibition and cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award! 

Students were tasked with painting a self-portrait or portrait in conjunction with their recent assessment task submission and their excursion to the Art Gallery of NSW for the 'Archibald Prize'. The portraits are outstanding and are a true indication of their creative abilities and tenacity towards learning in Visual Arts.  

This year we have four Prize categories to acknowledge the exceptional work of our Year 11 Visual Art students.  

They include the Principal’s Award, SASS Staff Award, Critic’s Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award.

Year 11 Portrait Prize 2024 Winners: 

National Art School of Sydney

A huge congratulations to Jirapath Ekwonganan and Olivia Hayes on their outstanding achievement following a series of extracurricular Visual Arts Programs at the National Art School of Sydney.

During the April, July and September school holidays both students completed the 2024 Dobell Drawing Prize and the HSC Intensive Studio Practice Program. Generously funded by the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation, the Drawing School offers an opportunity for Year 11 Visual Art students from government high schools in Sydney’s west, south-west and regional areas to participate in one of five workshops. Jirapath and Olivia excelled in all areas of experimental drawing and life drawing intensive studio practice.

Following the Dobell Drawing experience our students were then selected and enrolled into the HSC Intensive Studio Practice course specialising in different expressive forms achieving high distinctions in both printmaking and digital studio photography.

Endorsed by the NSW Education Standards Authority starting in the year 2000, the HSC Intensive course has been offered to students in both government and non-government high schools. The HSC intensive is unique as it is taught by professional artists who know what it takes to succeed. Students get to work in professional art studios, enhance their skills and build up their art portfolio. It’s not just about learning, as it’s also a chance to meet other art-loving students from all over the state.

Sculpture By the Sea 2024

Wyndham College HSC Visual Arts, Photography, Film Studies and Inclusive Education students enjoyed a beautiful day out at Bondi Beach to see the Sculpture by the Sea Exhibition. 

The Bondi to Tamarama Beach coastal walk is the world's largest free to the public sculpture exhibition. The spectacular coastal walk has once again been transformed into a 2km long sculpture park over three weeks featuring more than 100 sculptures by artists from Australia and across the globe.