Catherine O'Donnell and Stephen Hall in the Dobell Prize

Stephen Hall and Catherine O' Donnell at the opening of the 2010 Dobell Prize

NADC Fine Arts teachers Catherine O'Donnell and Stephen Hall are both represented in this year's Dobell Prize for Drawing at the Art Gallery of NSW. The Dobell Prize is a long running prestigious drawing prize, and we are thrilled to have two of our teachers represented. The exhibition is on display at the Art Gallery of NSW until January 30, 2011.

 Catherine and Stephen's work selected for the Prize can be seen below:

 Catherine O'Donnell, 'no 19', charcoal on paper, 2010

Stephen Hall, 'the limner and his steed rest', mixed media on paper, 2010.

Steve McClaren curates another big show

click for larger image

Former NADC fine arts student Steve McClaren is constantly organising exhibitions on a grand scale. Steve's latest extravaganza, called "it's az plain az black and white" opens this Wednesday evening, November 24, 7pm at TAP Gallery Darlinghurst. All welcome!

Nerine Martini at the Paper Mill

Nerine Martini in residency at the paper mill. Photo: Tim Dauth

Fine Arts teacher Nerine Martini is currently Artist-in -Residence at the Paper Mill Angel Place, Ash St, Sydney CBD. As part of her residency Nerine has given artist talks and conducted a drawing workshop. She is in daily residence at the Paper Mill until December 22, and visitors are welcome to drop in and see the changing window display that Nerine is creating. Gallery hours are 11am-6pm Tuesday to Saturday, and Nerine is in residency during those times. The Paper Mill is a volunteer run, not for profit artist run space which opened in September 2010. Visit http://www.thepapermill.org.au/ for more info.
To see more of Nerine's work, visit http://www.nerinemartini.com/

 photo: Tim Dauth

Helen Nairn wins!

Helen Nairn, 'Cross Affection', 1.5m x 1m, mixed media on paper, 2009

Congratulations to Helen Nairn from the Advanced Diploma of Fine Art. Helen's large mixed media collage recently won the $4000 abstract art section of the Crockett Art Prize. You can see more of Helen's work at  TAP Gallery as part of the Advanced Diploma of Fine Art exhibition, or on her website:

http://helennairn.yolasite.com/

Marcela Vilaplana at Gallery Blackheath

Current student Marcela Vilaplana is showing photographs at Gallery Blackheath in the Blue Mountains, from now until January 2, 2011. As well as her interest in printmaking, Marcela has a strong interest in art photography, and her current show features evocative landscape images from the Blue Mountains region.

Marcela Vilaplana, Beauty from the Underworld 1, 2009, lambda print on metallic paper, 76cm x 56cm

Marcela has been exhibiting for several years and has work in private collections. She finds inspiration in the Old Masters, and frequently utilises strong contrasts betwen light and dark in her images.
" I endeavour to capture the essence of ordinary tableaus and translate it into the stillness and beauty inherent in all things."

For more information on the exhibition visit: http://www.galleryblackheath.com/guest.htm

Fishers Ghost Art Award: our printmaking students excel

Congratulations are in order for  four of our students who were finalists in the Fishers Ghost Art Award : works on paper category 2010.  The prestigious annual art award  boasts prizes totaling  $30,000  and attracts  an average of more than six hundred entries every year. The exhibition  is  on display at the Campbelltown Arts Centre until December 2.

The finalists were Terrence Combos, Natalie Horvat, Carol Ann Fitzgerald and Sean Sweeney. Congratulations to these artists who kept company with emerging and well established artists in the Fishers Ghost Art Award.

Terrence Combos:  'Untitledest'  Linocut/screenprint, 2010

Natalie Horvat, Untitled screen print, 2010

Carol Ann Fitzgerald:  'Anthony' linocut, 2010

Sean Sweeney 'Focused 2' Linocut ,2010

Turning the TAP on: Our Advanced Diploma of Fine Art students shine



from left to right: Amanda Mayrhofer, Cole Barrett, Brenda Maccioni,

Hilary Latta, Helen Nairn, Phillip Murray, Andy Petith and Alisdair McDonnell

                                             

Our Advanced Diploma of Fine Art students are making the final preparation for their end of year exhibition at TAP Gallery in Darlinghurst next week. This small group of dedicated students are taking on the job of mounting their own exhibition at one of Sydney's longest running artist-run spaces, TAP Gallery. Artist run initiatives (commonly known as ARIs) give valuable hands-on industry experience in all aspects of preparing for, and running a professional exhibition.They also leave the decision making and creative control firmly in the hands of the artists.

The group show, called 'Turning the TAP on', will showcase the work of Cole Barrett, Hilary Latta, Brenda Maccioni, Alaisdair McDonnell, Amanda Mayrhofer, Phillip Murray, Andy Petith and Helen Nairn.

The artists have made a website for the exhibition as part of their professional practice studies. A little about the show, and statements from each artist can be found at: http://www.turningthetapon.blogspot.com/

You are warmly invited to the opening event, which will be held at TAP Gallery, 278 Palmer St Darlinghurst at 7pm on Wednesday November 17 (see invitiation below). The opening address will be made by Anthony Bond OAM, Assistant Director, curatorial sevices, Art Gallery of NSW.

Precipice: Diploma of Fine Art show opens this Thursday at 6pm

Erin Bogart and Molly Rankins-Schumann work on the installation of work from the exhibition

You are warmly invited to the opening of 'Precipice', the end of year show for graduating students of the Diploma of Fine Art. The Trapezium Gallery will come alive with an exciting range of artwork that represents the culmination of the last two years of study for the artists. The exhibition features paintings, photographs, prints, drawings and ceramics, and much of the artwork is for sale.

The exhibiton opens this Thursday at 6pm in the Trapezium Gallery, Nepean College, and all are welcome. Light refreshments will be served. For full details, see the invititation below:

click for a larger image

Drawings from our Certificate IV students

Oil pastel drawing by Julieanne Bartolo,

Certificate IV Visual Arts and Contemporary Craft, 2010

The students in Dalia Maron's  CIV drawing class have recently completed a class project based on landscape and colour theory. Students have continued to sharpen their representational drawing skills, whilst also showing form in space with colour.

The same group of students have also been researching and producing  images based on still life and portraiture. These genres have been explored using a range of different media. Please visit our flickr page  linked below to see a full  range of the student's work. We think you will agree there are some terrific results from a dedicated group of students, many of whom first started studying fine art at the beginning of the year.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsifineart/sets/72157625084204179/
For information on our fine art and ceramic courses, visit our website  at http://nadc.wsi.tafensw.edu.au/art/about.aspx

Kendal's PhD show

 Kendal Heyes, 'Shape of Time' (detail), poker work on paper, 2010

Printmaking teacher Kendal Heyes is having his PhD show, and it will open Wednesday November 3 at COFAspace, ground floor, Block E at the COFA campus in Paddington. Congratulations to Kendal, who also recently won first prize in the Tim Olsen Drawing Prize for COFA post-graduate students.

More staff exhibitions!

Drawing teacher Di Holdsworth and drawing and theory teacher Catherine O'Donnell both have exhibitions opening this week.
Di is exhibition in a small sculpture show, 'Defiant Little Devils', at Defiance Gallery in Newtown. The show opens this Wednesday, October 27, at 7pm. For more info, click here
Catherine is showing drawings at Boutwell Draper Gallery, opening this Thursday October 28 at 6pm. For more info, click here



Di Holdsworth, 'Love makes the world go round #1'
Mixed Media Assemblage - with music-box movement
12.5x7x7cm

Di Holdsworth in Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize

Di Holdsworth is currently exhibiting in the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize at the Redleaf Council Chambers in Double Bay. See above for a video of the kinetic sculpture that Di is showing.The exhbition is open until Sunday November 7, 2010. For full details, click here

Studio open days in Balmain and Rozelle, Saturday 23rd, and Sunday 24th of October

Invitation to Studio One+2 open day this Saturday in Rozelle and Balmain. Click for a larger image.

After an excursion to artist studios in the city, Diploma of Fine Art student TJ Combos was inspired to increase his commitment to his art practice by leasing a studio. Read what he has to say:

"For our 2nd year Diploma painting and drawing class, our teacher Shadee Selim took us on an excursion to One+2 Studios in Rozelle and Balmain. It was fantastic to see artists and their working spaces outside of an educational setting. We spoke to a few of the artists and gained an insight into their work, hearing about their aesthetic and philosophical interests and how they help shape their work.

It was very exciting to envision myself working in one of these spaces, so I contacted the director and am now leasing a space in Rozelle. It has proven to be a substantial development in my view towards becoming an established practicing artist. The interaction between others working in the studio has been a very positive experience and has helped me greatly in understanding my own personal interests, as well as having the opportunity to take on board what others are doing in their practices. I feel that my work has benefited greatly from the whole experience so far and it will continue to progress strongly in the future.

One+2 Studios in Rozelle is having an open weekend and group show coming up on Saturday and Sunday the 23rd and 24th of October. I will be displaying my paintings and works on paper in my studio space, as well as organising a collaborative project for all visitors to my space for a bit of fun. It would be great to see you there!"

Out and about in our community

Head Teacher Cath Barcan has been out and about in the community as a guest speaker for a number of local art events. On the 17th of Septermber she spoke at St Paul's Grammar School in Penrith, for their annual 'artscape' exhibition. The show has a featured artist every year, and this year one of our current students, Shirley Ayres from the Certificate IV in Fine Arts was selected for the honour.
The topic of Cath's talk was the nature of creativity, and it's value and application in the community. This was also the broad theme when Cath recently spoke at the Blue Fringe Art Award presentation ceremony in Springwood. Blue Fringe is a mountains-based mental health advocacy body, which specialises in the promotion of creative pursuits. Cath spoke alongside Blue Mountains Mayor Daniel Myles and MP Phil Koperberg. This important annual art exhibition also featured work from some of our past and current students.

Eclectica opening Thursday October 21 at 6pm, all welcome

Kathryn Trippett, 'Still Life with Roses', 2010, colour photograph, 48cm x 74cm

Eclectica is the name of the next show at the Trapezium Gallery, and as the name suggests, it features a wonderfully eclectic range of work from a diverse body of students. The exhibition will showcase ceramics, drawings, prints, photographs and paintings from our talented part-time students.

The exhibition opens at 6pm on Thursday October 21, at the Trapezium Gallery, Nepean College, Kingswood and light refreshments will be served. All welcome!

Information:

Opening 6pm, Thursday October 21. All welcome. Show runs until November 4.
Trapezium Gallery, P Block TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute, Nepean College (Kingswood Campus) 12 - 44 O’Connell St Kingswood - enter via gate 2 Gallery hours 9am-4pm weekdays enq ph. Regina Cooper on 92089484

Next up at the Trapezium...

(click to embiggen...)

Blake Prize: Director's Cut

Congratulations to current Diploma of Fine Arts student Carol Ann Fitzgerald and recent Diploma graduate Lenore Gee, both of whom have been selected for the Blake Prize Director's Cut.
The Blake Prize is a prestigious and long running prize for religious art, with 2010 marking it's 59th consecutive year. The Director's cut is an online gallery that showcases the work of artists who were shortlisted for the Prize, but not selected as finalists. This online gallery will be running from October through to January, and showcases a wide range of artwork from emerging and established artists.
The online Gallery can be viewed here: http://www.blakeprize.com.au/galleries/directors-cut
Carol's work can be viewed here: http://www.blakeprize.com.au/works/urban-prophet
and Lenore's work can be viewed here: http://www.blakeprize.com.au/works/karen-and-steve
Congratulations to Carol and Lenore on this achievement.

Blacktown City Art Exhibition: NADC strongly represented

Phillip Murray, This land is your land this land is my land', linocut, 2010. Highly commended, 2010 Blacktown City Art Exhibition.

Fine Arts students from NADC are strongly represented in this year's Blacktown City Art Exhibition. This popular annual prize is held at the Blacktown Arts Centre, and has a high volume of visitors attending the show. Congratulations to our current students who were selected for the exhibition: Adele Bruens, Ronald Frederick Horstmann, Natalie Horvat, Brenda Maccioni, Pauline Tivoli, Elaine Watson, Lyndon Matts, Phillip Murray, Amanda Dobell, Danny Eastwood, Carol Ann Fitzgerald, Arnold Freen, and Suzanne McDonald.

Our former students were also well represented, with works by: Louisa Antico, Catherine Bargwanna, Krystine Bichta, Linda Brescia, Lorraine Maggs, Linda Wilkin (collaboration with Tom Bransdon) and Fiona Ellison on display.

Special congratulations to Phillip Murray (works on paper), Danny Eastwood (Indigenous) and Carole Ann Fitzgerald who received Highly Commended awards in their sections.

For more information and details on the exhibition (which runs until October 16), visit http://www.artscentre.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/blacktown-city-art-exhibition.cfm

Jo Ernsten selected for the 2nd Penang International Print Exhibition (PIPE)

Jo Ernsten, 'issum1there', linocut, 2010

Congratulations to printmaking teacher Jo Ernsten who has been selected for the 2nd Penang International Print Exhibition in Malaysia. Jo has been selected for her linocut 'issum1there', pictured above.

Beyond Inspiration

scenes from the opening of 'Beyond Inspiration' on Friday September 24, 2010 at the Trapezium Gallery
photography: Robert Musgrave

Last Friday's opening of 'Beyond Inspiration' at the Trapezium Gallery was a resounding success, with a strong attendance, and a buzz surrounding the show. Eleven works sold at the opening, with several more under consideration, which is a wonderful achievement, and strong testimony to the strength of the show. This is what the artists themselves had to say about the exhibition in the catalogue statement:

" Sometimes we feel " beyond inspiration " when we are creating our art. We have a soaring feeling that we are creating something, almost other worldly- or as Wagner would say, - "inspired by the gods".
At other times we feel "beyond inspiration"-brain dead, worldly responsibilities weighing heavily on us and we are far from feeling inspired.
Everyone feels both at one time or another. remaining balanced between those two modes of feeling and persevering will keep us looking ahead and achieving our goals.
This exhibition of drawing, prints and ceramics is presented by the Year 2 students of the final
two year Certificate IV in Fine Arts (now phasing out).
We hope you will enjoy our exhibition"

Congratulations to all the artists involved. The exhibition is open Mon-Fri 9am-4pm at the Trapezium Gallery, Block P, Nepean College Kingswood, and closes at 12 noon on Friday October 15.

Highly Commended, Sunshine Coast Art Prize

Catherine O'Donnell, "Civic Centre" charcoal on paper, 2010

Congratulations to history/ theory and painting teacher Catherine O'Donnell, who was recently commended in the Sunshine Coast Art Prize for her drawing "Civic Centre." Art critic John McDonald, who judged the Prize, said of Catherine's work: “Few will fail to be impressed by the artist’s painstaking mastery of charcoal, and her careful delineation of a piece of urban geometry that would make even Jeffrey Smart think twice.”

You're invited: exhibition opening this Friday lunchtime

click for larger image

The students from the Certificate IV in Fine Arts warmly invite you to their exhibition, called 'Beyond Inspiration'. The exhibition opens this Friday, September 24, in the Trapezium Gallery at 12 noon. Light refreshments will be served. Join the artists and come along to see a range of works including ceramics, drawing and printmaking. The Trapezium Gallery is in Building P, Nepean College (enter via Gate 2 in O'Connell St Kingswood.) The exhibition runs until October 15.

Diploma Year 1 exhibition featured in the Penrith Press

The Diploma of Fine Art Year 1 exhibition was recently featured in the Penrith Press.
Congratulations to all involved. To read the article, follow the link below:
Art is a top-class investment at Kingswood Tafe - Arts & Entertainment - Lifestyle - Penrith Press

Trivia Night this Wednesday!

Students from the Advanced Diploma of Fine Art are having a Trivia Night this Wednesday evening in the Trapezium Gallery. The night kicks off at 6.30pm, and there will be a tombola, raffle, and lots of fun prizes. Grand prize for the evening is a dinner for 7 at Entree, the newly renovated restaurant at Nepean College. Tickets for the trivia night are $12 each, or $75 for a table of 7. To purchase your ticket, see Shadee Selim, Peter Helm, Cath Barcan, or any of the Advanced Diploma students (usually found in S Block) or call Alisdair on 0409 785 881. The trivia night has been sponsored by Matisse Deravin, who provided some of  the great prizes
You can get your own table together, or simply join one.

Justin's latest show

click for larger version of the invitation

Former NADC Fine Arts graduate Justin Gloor would like to invite you to his latest group exhibition. After enrolling in Certificate II Visual Arts and Contemporary Craft, Justin went on to study a Diploma of Fine Arts at WSI. After he left our art school, Justin completed a fine arts degree with Honours at Sydney College of the Arts. All are welcome to the exhibition, which opens at 6pm on Thursday the 23rd of September at gaffa. Click on the invitation for more details.

Overnight success!

a full house at last night's opening

Congratulations to our first year students from the Diploma of Fine Arts, whose exhibition opening last night (see post below) was a runaway success. An enthusiatic crowd crammed into the Trapezium Gallery for the opening, where guests were entertained by a comedy skit from the students and informed and encouraged by second year painting teacher Shadee Selim, who officially opened the show. In less than 24 hours since the opening, a record 21 works from the exhibition have been sold, which is a fantastic testament to the talent and hard work of these students. Well done to all students, teaching staff, and Diploma Year 1 co-ordinator David White.

click on image for larger version of the invitation

On Thursday the 9th of September at 6pm, doors will open on 2010’s artistic offerings from the first year Diploma of Fine Art students at Nepean Arts and Design Centre.

The array of art on show has something for everybody; painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and ceramic works. Many of the artworks will be for sale from opening night until the 21st September.

The exhibition features strong work combined with reasonable price tags. This is a fantastic opportunity to pick up beautiful artworks while supporting emerging artists in our community.
The students have not only produced all the artworks, but have also organized the entire exhibition themselves, from advertising the show to hanging the works and even coordinating a lush spread for opening night. They have worked challenged themselves to put on the best possible show and now look forward to inviting the wider community to come into the gallery and see for themselves.

Information:
Opening 6pm, 9th September. All welcome. Show runs until 21st September.
Trapezium Gallery, P Block TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute, Nepean College (Kingswood Campus)12 - 44 O’Connell St Kingswood - enter via gate 2 Gallery hours 9am-4pm weekdays enq ph. Regina Cooper on 92089484

Into the Woods...

Into The Woods Today is an interactive exhibition being held in the Trapezium Gallery, curated by 2nd year Diploma of Fine arts students. The exhibition plays with the idea of childhood memories, and includes a forest of fun and quirky drawings, a huge nursery rhyme-themed artwork, even a tea party! All are invited to come to the show and create their own drawings using a Mr. Squiggle-type sheet of paper and add them onto the walls to help bring the trees to life! A large continuous drawing covering 3 of the gallery walls is also open for your own touch of creativity, quotes from fairytales and nursery rhymes are there to help guide you as you add to the drawing with art materials like the ones you’d remember from primary school.

Into the Woods Today will have a closing tea party on Thursday 2nd September, and is open to the public from 26th August –3rd September. The Trapezium Gallery is open Monday to Friday 9am-4pm, so come along, grab a crayon or a coloured pencil and have some fun!

Running alongside Into The Woods Today is NEWS FLASH, a mixed media installation reflecting on the artist Arnold Freen's childhood memories of Marilyn Monroe. The NEWS FLASH exhibition will be open for viewing in the Glassspace cabinet at the entrance to P block and adjacent to the Trapezium gallery from 21/08 - to 02/09. The installation focuses on Marilyn Monroe and flashes of her brief candle in the wind existence.

For enquiries contact Regina Cooper on 02 9208 9484.

3D miniworks exhibition and competition

Some of the selected finalists for the 3D miniworks competition with judge Kathleen Von Witt, Director, Hawkesbury Regional Gallery.
From left to right: Shirley Ayres, finalist, Saul Munro, First Prize winner, Kathleen Von Witt, Director, Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, Nathaniel Mikhael, finalist, Lyndon Matts, finalist, Danielle Matts, finalist.

The Annual 3D miniworks exhibition and competition opened in the ceramics building on Thursday with special guest Kathleen Von Witt, Director, Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, giving generously of her time and expertise in coming to judge the show. Kathleen awarded a $200 first prize to Saul Munro, for his piece "Temple Dancer", which she praised for its' "sheer exuberance and joie de vivre." Kathleen also selected a record 16 finalists from nearly 90 entries on display. These finalists will have the opportunity of showing their pieces at the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery next month, in a small show that will coincide with a suite of sculpture shows the Gallery will have on offer.

Saul Munro, "Temple Dancer" ceramic, 2010, First Prize winner, 2010 3D miniworks competition

Congratulations to all participants on a vibrant and intriguing exhibition. The works include many quirky, delicate, melancholic, witty, functional, unexpected and celebratory pieces, and is well worth a visit.
To view images of the selected finalist's work, please visit our flickr set at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsifineart/sets/72157624685363345/

Stephen Hall's exhibition

click on the invitation for a larger view

Cultural productions and painting teacher Stephen Hall is having an exhibition at the Sydney Antique Centre with works featuring the central character Merry Andrew the Limner which he describes below:
"A bit over twelve months ago Merry-Andrew the Limner was launched to the world firstly in catalogue form with an essay introducing him & then in the large show with over fifty works in it at Depot 2 at Dank Street. One idea was that Merry-Andrew would pop up in various places in exhibition keeping true to his narrative & character. Towards the end of 09 he popped up at Bondi in Sculpture by the Sea, bursting out of the ground, overlapping that he popped up at the AGNSW in the Dobell prize for Drawing in the form of Mumbai. He has emerged in various other places since & now it is time for him to do it again. This time Andy finds himself in Artists' Books as well as other forms such as ceramic sculpture & will pop up at the Sydney Antique Centre."
Stephen's show opens on September 5, between 3 and 5pm. Stephen will be manning the show most of the four weekends it is on for if you would like the opportunity to talk to the artist about his work.

Toni Warburton at Pelaton Gallery

Toni Warburton Picture Window (detail) for beach house: roomwork 5, 2010

Cultural productions teacher Toni Warburton has an upcoming exhibition of work at Peloton. Toni's installation Picture Window recollects things salvaged from the debris of a remote beach house burnt to the ground in a bush fire. The work parallels contemplation of structural inside and outside with emotional interior and exterior.
On a window sill, in a picture frame, ceramic objects altered by wood ash, wind force and temperature are shelved.

Peloton is located at 19+25 Meagher Street Chippendale, and Gallery hours are 1pm-6pm, Thursday-Sunday.The exhibition runs from August 26 to September 18, 2010.

Photograms photoshopped

digitally altered photogram by Diploma of Fine Art student Alex Curtis

Photography students from the Diploma of Fine Arts year 1 are currently producing some beautiful photographic images that combine old and new photographic technologies. These evocative images have been initiated in a traditional wet darkroom using photogram techniques. Photograms are silver-based images that are produced by placing objects directly onto photographic paper and exposing it to light. Once produced, the students have scanned their images and manipulated them in photoshop. Final output is to photo rag inkjet paper. For more examples of this lovely project, see our flickr set at http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsifineart/sets/72157624618884587/

Catherine O' Donnell's Venice Residency

a snap from Cathy's Venice residency, 2010

Fine Arts teacher Catherine O'Donnell has recently returned from an inspiring artist residency in Venice. As part of winning the Albury Art Prize in 2009, Catherine was awarded apartment accommodation and a studio in Venice at the Scuola International Grafica, as well as a generous travel bursary.

"My trip was amazing not only as I was staying in one of the most unique places in the world, but I had time to explore, experiment and reflect on my art practice" Catherine said recently.
" At the same time, I was exposed to the rich cultural heritage of the art and architecture found in Venice. The opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the Renaissance masters, and be immersed in the culture was an extraordinary experience. At Scuola International di Grafica I mixed with artists and scholars from other countries as well as the broader community. The people I had the opportunity to meet enriched my experience greatly."

As well as the apartment, Catherine had a studio which she visited daily, and also took numerous side trips including visits to the best Museums and Galleries in Europe and New York City.
" For all of this I have to thank the Albury Regional Gallery, who sponsored my trip" Catherine said.
"Their generosity has enabled me to grow on a personal and artistic level, a growth which can only come about as a result of the time and space a residency can provide."

Catherine highly recommends an overseas residency, and we look forward to seeing the body of this work that will surely come from this fantastic experience.

view of the studio space in Venice provided by the residency

Silk Cut Award

Carol Fitzgerald, 'Anthony' lino cut

Congratulations to Carol Fitzgerald, who has been selected as a finalist in this year's prestigious Silk Cut Lino Award. The Award is one of Australia's most important printmaking prizes, and is open to printmakers from all over Australia. Carol is currently enrolled in the Diploma of Fine Art, and her print, 'Anthony' has been selected as a finalist from hundereds of entries. Congratulations Carol!

The Wool Drawing

study for wool drawing by Elizabeth Dubi, Diploma of Fine Art student, 2010

The wool drawing was a collaborative project produced this July by students from second year of the Diploma of Fine Art, TAFE NSW, Western Sydney Institute, Nepean College. The drawing is based on a black pen sketch of sheep in a field by the English Sculptor, Henry Moore (1898-1986). The students made a large scale drawing, that was approximately 3 x 5 metres, using black wool as the drawing medium. The wool was used to 'draw' lines on white paper to create the image of the sheep and additional wool was added to create darker areas of tones in the drawing. The project was created and exhibited at the Trapezium Gallery during July 2010. A time-lapse video of the students creating their drawing can be viewed on Youtube at WSI Fine Art channel, by following this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaetbebV0so

2010 National Photography Prize

Cath Barcan Bear hug, lambda print, 80cmx 50cm, 2009

Lenore Gee, 'The First Meditation' Cyanotype on cotton sateen, 92cm x 92cm, 2009,

Fine Arts at Nepean Arts and Design Centre is represented twice at this year’s prestigious National Photography Prize. Works for this year’s prize were selected by Dr Isobel Crombie, Senior Curator, Photography, National Gallery of Victoria.
Head Teacher and art photography teacher Cath Barcan has a work in the prize titled ‘Bear Hug’, which is part of a portrait series called ‘At Home with Cree.’ The work was shot in Tasmania, at the home of the subject, who lives with a menagerie of large toy animals. Also represented in the NPP is recent graduate Lenore Gee. Lenore graduated with a Diploma of Fine Art from WSI, and undertook extra fine art photography studies with us. Her work in the prize uses a 19th century blue emulsion known as cyanotype. The image, entitled ‘The First Meditation’ is a response to musings by the philosopher Descartes on the dream state, in which he debates whether the dream or waking state is our true reality.
Both works are on display at the Albury Art Gallery from August 31-September 26.

'Framed': Advanced Diploma of Fine Arts students exhibit at the Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest

Andy Petith's assemblage portrait of Margo Lewers, installed in the Gallery window.

'Framed' is the name of a exhibition project being undertaken at the Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest by students of the Advanced Diploma of Fine Art. The exhibition is part of the Advanced Diploma professional practice program, and has been a valuable opportunity for our students to interact with a Regional Gallery, and gain exposure for their work.

As part of the project, students were given a lengthy briefing by Gallery staff including CEO John Kirkman, Gallery Director Anne Loxley, Manager - Education and Public Programs Naomi McCarthy, and Curator and Collections Manager Shirley Daborn. The students were then invited to make a pitch for a site specific work, relating to the history and context of the Gallery site, including the lives and practices of its former artist occupiers Gerald and Margo Lewers, and/or the work of Sydney abstract artists. As part of their professional development, the students were required to present their proposal to a curatorial team comprised of Gallery staff, who gave constructive feedback on their work. Each artist then returned to the studio to produce an artwork designed to be displayed in a window of the old Lewers House, which is now part of the Gallery. This work is on display in the windows until Wednesday June 23, 12 noon. The garden also forms a significant part of the site, and is something many of the students chose to respond to.

The second phase of this exciting project will be on display in Lewers House from July 3 - August 8. This will be an exhibition of large photographic artworks created by the students. These photographs will re-interpret and respond to the site specific work that has been on display in the windows of the house. The official opening of this aspect of the show will be held on July 9, between 7 and 9pm. All welcome, we hope to see you there.

For some pictures of the work in progress, visit our flickr set at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsifineart/sets/72157624170320971/

The final photoworks can be viewed here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsifineart/sets/72157624249726173/

For more information about the Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest, including contact details and how to find the Gallery, visit
http://www.penrithregionalgallery.org/

Night shoot

Untitled image by Katherine Fallah

A few weeks ago, students from the second year Diploma of Fine Art photography class went on a night shoot. The normal class time was rescheduled so that instead of morning, the class met in the late afternoon. This allowed us to take advantage of other possibilities of light, as the afternoon changed to dusk and dusk changed to evening. Several types of cameras were in use, including lo-fi plastic film cameras , compact cameras, and digital SLRs. The visual results were varied, and include moody, poetic, melancholic, abstract, playful and gritty images. For more images from the shoot, visit our flickr site :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsifineart/sets/72157624047065529/

Common Factor - opening Friday

(click for larger view)

Our next exhibition, Common Factor, will be opening at the Trapezium Gallery this Friday June 4th at 12 noon. This exciting exhibition showcases the work of four vastly different artists, each of whom have studied at NADC, and then gone on to forge careers in the art world. The exhibition features Raquel Ormella, Linda Brescia, Abdul Karim Rahimi, and Hans DeHaas, all returning to their alma mater for this unique showcase.

Fine Arts has been taught for thirty five years at Western Sydney Institute, and we are pleased to welcome back four previous graduates from various points in the art school's history. We are really appreciative of the educational contribution that the artists are making to current students through this exhibition. Much of the planning and organisational work behind the exhibition has been done by our present Diploma I Fine Art students, capably guided by Diploma First Year Co-ordinator, David White.

The selected artists vary considerably in their approach and the work on show encompasses contemporary conceptual pieces, traditional portraiture, surreal sculpture and Persian miniatures with a contemporary twist. Viewing these dynamic works together in a place where each artist once learnt their trade will be an engaging experience that we hope many people will share and enjoy.

These artists are well known within their fields and have worked internationally as well as across Australia. It is an exciting and inspiring opportunity for current students, staff and the general public to see what these local graduates have gone on to do.

‘Common Factor’
Opens Friday 4th June @12noon
Exhibition runs from 03/06 - 17/06
Trapezium Gallery, P Block TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute, Nepean College (Kingswood Campus) 12 - 44 O’Connell St Kingswood
Gallery hours 9am-4pm weekdays
enq ph. Regina Cooper on 92089484

Tim Allen - Painting and Drawing

Landscape, trees and rocks I and II, 2010, Oil on Canvas, each 120 by 90cm

Drawing teacher Tim Allen's new show opened at Defiance gallery in Newtown last week, with works also being shown in Paddington - both galleries are open Wed - Sat 11-5 and Tim's show runs until June 19th. It's a great opportunity to head into the city - check out the Biennale while you're there.

Staff Show

Fine Art drawing teacher Cameron Ferguson with his self-portrait diptych

The annual Fine Arts staff show went up in the Trapezium Gallery last week and the official 'opening' where several staff will speak about their work will be at 12 noon this Thursday (May 20th) with drinks and nibbles provided. All welcome!

Art Prizes

Drawing and cultural productions teacher Stephen Hall's painting Hanging Around the RPA was selected for the NSW Parliament Plein Air Painting Award - the winner will be announced May 19th


In addition another of our drawing teachers, Tim Allen, won the people's choice award for the Adelaide Perry Drawing Prize 2010 with his charcoal drawing Braidwood 1 (2009).