Art and Design 

Year 10 Photography students visited the city to enrich their practical skills and theoretical knowledge of Art and Design. Students had the opportunity to photograph architecture and street art in the CBD using DSLR cameras. They were encouraged to look up and look out for various types of architecture and public artworks before arriving at the National Gallery of Victoria on St Kilda Road. Students were guided through the gallery by Monique, one of the NGV’s Art Teachers. 

Monique introduced students to antiquities up to 6000 years old through to contemporary artworks using digital technology. The expanse of human history was on show, packed full of meaning and thought provoking ideas to interpret, question and respond to. We viewed works from Ancient China, Rome and Mesoamerica through to European Renaissance and Neoclassicism, modern and contemporary fashion, sculptors photographers and film makers. 

Students were curious to see much more than we could in one day, so they may visit the gallery during weekends and term breaks. The NGV is open every day from 10am to 5pm except Christmas day. Entry is free. For more information go to https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/

Year 11 Studio Arts excursion

Students of Unit 2 Studio Arts attended an excursion in the city exploring a diverse range of exhibitions and art galleries. Of particular note, they visited Light: Works from the Tate Collection at ACMI, Federation Square as part of Melbourne Winter Masterpieces®. The exhibition celebrates ground-breaking moments from 200 years of art history, and the artists who harnessed light as an elemental force through painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, installation and the moving image. Renowned master artists were juxtaposed against fascinating works by modern and contemporary artists. Our students enjoyed the experience of viewing and interacting with the works, and learning about the organisational considerations involved in presenting it to the public such as exhibition design, curation, and marketing.

Students also visited nearby commercial and artist-run galleries in the Nicholas Building, one of Melbourne’s most valuable cultural hubs, home to many artists, designers and creative enterprises. Students learned about gallery aims, promotion, marketing, conservation, presentation and curatorial intentions. This included a visit to Blindside (artist run gallery), Flinders Lane Gallery (commercial), Stephen McLaughlan gallery (commercial/rental gallery), and Sticky Institute (artist run community zine store/workshop).

We encourage our students to return to these galleries on weekends and term breaks.

Ms Tracy Sarroff

Teacher of Visual Arts

Professional Practice Learning Specialist