ARTS MATTERS

NGV Creative Catalyst - Talk About Art Challenge

On Tuesday 8 September, I participated in the NGV Arts Matters program. Arts Matters is a program that allows students to further expand on their prior knowledge on a topic. An opportunity of which I am incredibly grateful for! During this virtual event, the main focus was on Surrealism and how to master the understanding of a Surreal piece and its creator. With multiple schools joining in this event, it came as no surprise that the atmosphere was energetic and welcoming. Students were encouraged to participate and collaborate and I particularly enjoyed how we shared opinions and bounced off each other's ideas. 

The call started off with an introduction and a small challenge that Ariel, (a fellow student who also participated) did an amazing job completing. It did not take long for the first art analysis to arrive and it was interesting seeing the many perspectives on the art, and the use of collaboration to add to ideas and looking back on previously learnt terminology.

Afterwards, we learnt more about the history of Surrealism and artists such as Dali, who also created some rather interesting films. Then we got to participate in an Exquisite Corpse activity within an assigned group, where we created Surreal sentences that gave us a chuckle. The same groups worked together to convince people in the program of the name of an unknown to us Surreal artwork, using the details in the artwork for ideas. It was lots of fun! 

Overall, I enjoyed the experience and hope to do many in the future. It was such a blessing to be involved. This is another amazing reminder that when you get the opportunity you should take it. I want to thank Mrs Barrow and Ms Kuriata and all those involved at the National Art Gallery for making it happen! This was an experience of a lifetime.

Mary Atkinson

Year 9 Student

Looking Forward 

Year 7 has been fun and interesting. It definitely wasn’t the year I planned for. All this time at home has led to the perfect opportunity to make all different types of art. It is a really good time to experiment with creative new ideas. Lots of people have been going outside, enjoying the sunshine and doing some amazing chalk drawings on the sidewalk.

I am looking forward to hopefully going to the National Gallery of Victoria when we come back to school. Since we couldn't go this term, our teacher made the experience just as fun with a virtual tour of the Kaws section of the exhibit.

I feel like art is a really good way to express yourself. Every mistake can turn into an incredible masterpiece. 

Rachel Milner

Year 7 Student