On Wednesday, 8 February, Year 11 and 12 Visual Arts and Drama students ventured to Sydney to embark on three days of cultural immersion.

Visual Arts students immersed themselves in the world of Visual Arts by viewing the work of South Korean installation artist Do Ho Suh, who has for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere, exhibited his work in a solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art.  Following this, students engaged in the Yirrkala Prints, a collection of collagraph prints from six senior Yolŋu artists.  Finally, students viewed the returning annual exhibition ‘Primavera’ which is dedicated to the work of contemporary artists in Australia under the age of 35.

At the Art Gallery of NSW (AGNSW), Year 11 students explored the permanent collection in the Grand Courts and 20^th Century Galleries Collection:  1900s-1960s as part of their first assessment task.  Students viewed Modernist works from Impressionism through to Op Art which they have brought back to the classroom to use in their artmaking and art historical/art critical work.

Year 12 viewed the 2022 Band 6 HSC students works in ‘ArtExpress’, taking notes and gaining inspiration for their own Body of Work journey which has commenced since returning from the excursion.

A visit to the new Sydney Modern section of the AGNSW gave Year 11 and 12 Visual Arts students an insight to the Contemporary work of National and International artists.  With the trip finishing off with a visit to the once studio and home, now gallery, of renowned Contemporary Australian artist Brett Whitely.

The final night of the excursion for the Visual Arts students saw them experience storytelling through movement, music and dance as they watched ‘Dance Clan’ at Bangarra perform.  It was especially exciting watching the work of local Biripi man and Choreographer Ryan Pearson.

Drama students enjoyed a full range of drama experiences including being an audience at the musical theatre ‘Hairspray’ and being willing participants at various workshops held by renowned Drama institutions including Sydney Theatre Company, Belvoir Theatre, NIDA and the Australian Theatre for Young People.  Year 11 and 12 Drama students engaged in Dramatic techniques and gained performance experience directly from those working in the Drama sector.

OnSTAGE was a highlight for all Drama students as they got to view the Band 6 performances of the 2022 HSC student cohort.  This experience is always an invaluable one as it gives the students an insight to the quality and expectations of outstanding HSC performances.

A very big thank you is extended to the teachers who came along and helped to make it possible, Callam Howard, Lyndall Laurie and Niko Campbell-Ellis.

Rebecca Huett
Creative Arts Leader of Learning