Exhibition celebrates National Art School alumni

18 November 2020

National Art (part one) opens at Tweed Regional Gallery

A dynamic selection of artworks from graduates of Australia’s leading art school feature in the National Art (part one) exhibition on display at Tweed Regional Gallery until Sunday 3 January 2021.

National Art (part one), comprises of artworks by 50 of Australia’s most significant artists who studied at Sydney’s National Art School (NAS).

As the National Art School approaches 100 years on its Darlinghurst site (1922–2022) and more than 175 years in operation, this exhibition celebrates some of the extraordinary artists who trained at the institution over the past seven decades.

The exhibition features recent artworks and early formative works by key alumni, and applauds the creative drive, skill and imagination of those who have emerged to become artists of national significance.

National Art (part one) presents diverse approaches to artmaking bound by a common grounding in studio-based practice and a passionate commitment to experimentation. The artists’ approaches vary from abstract and expressive genres to experimentation with form, to cultural landscapes and political perspectives, Dada and the surreal, interior viewpoints and the everyday.

The work demonstrates the various disciplines taught at NAS; ceramics, painting, photo media, printmaking, sculpture, as well as inter-disciplinary practices utilising digital media, assemblage, performance and artist books.

NAS is at the forefront of dynamic 21st-century studio-based practice and visual arts education. Alongside its degree programs, it presents vibrant and engaging public programs that make art and culture accessible to the whole community, both locally and internationally.

Central to the reputation and success of NAS is a teaching model that emphasises intensive studio-based learning under the guidance of experienced artists and educators and is a community that connects people with – and through – art, education, creativity and ideas.

Director and CEO of the National Art School Steven Alderton said this landmark exhibition is visually powerful, insightful and thought-provoking, and above all, a confirmation of the depth and breadth of creativity generated through many years of extraordinary talent and culture at NAS.

“The National Art School trains artists to be independent in their thinking and art-making, resulting in an exhibition rich in diversity, creativity and presenting a unique perspective of the stories and issues important to us all,” Alderton said.

Susi Muddiman OAM, Director of Tweed Regional Gallery said: “We are thrilled to be launching the tour of National Art (part one) at Tweed Regional Gallery.”

“The Gallery has an important connection to NAS, with our new Artist-in-Residence partnership launching earlier this year. The exhibition also includes the work of much-loved artists who are represented in our collection, including Lucy Culliton, Karla Dickens, Guy Maestri, Justine Varga and Anne Zahalka.”

Join us at Tweed Regional Gallery on Friday 27 November from 5.30–7pm DST, where NAS Director and CEO Steven Alderton will be in conversation with NAS alumni Tim Maguire and Anne Zahalka. The event is free, however, bookings are essential: trg-nov27sunsetsession-2020.eventbrite.com.au

Downloads

Photo 1(JPG, 158KB)

Caption: NAS Campus. Photo: Chris Phillips

Photo 2(JPG, 65KB)

Caption: Guy Maestri, Innocent X, 2017, painted bronze, 66 x 46 x 26 cm, National Art School Collection donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by the artist, 2018 © the artist