Artist in Residence in Bariloche Argentina
As part of Northcote High School’s teacher creatives, we are continually striving to develop our teaching practice and our own personal creative process. Developing our own process is a very important part of the art teacher’s professional practice. Without these skills or this understanding of skills, teachers lack the technical prowess, and knowledge that are helpful for students to gain a greater understanding of various techniques.
Throughout the first term I was fortuitous enough to be selected to complete an Artist in Residence program in Bariloche, Argentina. Artist-in-residence programs give artists the opportunity to live and work outside of their usual environments, providing them with time to reflect, research and produce work. During a residency, artists can explore new locations, different cultures, and experiment with different materials. Much like study abroad programs, residencies are often aimed at young artists and can end up having a long term impact on their life and work.
San Carlos de Bariloche is a Spanish speaking town west of Argentina in the mountains of Patagonia. It is famous for its alpine life, beautiful vistas, snow sports, hiking and chocolate. I was able to spend a month there where I found inspiration in the landscape and the canine life that was ever present in the town. As part of the residency I completed a number of practical workshops, an Open Studio and an exhibition. The time spent at the Residency was an invaluable opportunity to develop my process in regards to the techniques of collage and screenprinting, which are important techniques that contribute towards my own personal style. My time allowed me to focus on these techniques and processes without life’s daily distractions. Being an observational artist, my immediate environment in Barlioche was a source of constant inspiration. From the moment I went for a walk with the proprietors of the Residency to the river and we were joined by a party of local dogs along the journey my sources of inspiration were not far away.
Bariloche gave me the opportunity to meet other artists from other countries. It enabled me to have first-hand skill development and inspiration in regards to ideas, themes and creative directions. I was able to share some of my own skills with local creatives and demonstrate my process to the public with an Open Studio and an Exhibition.
I am excited to return to be back at Northcote and to share my experience with the student and teaching cohort.
Jerome Rush