A message from the Director of Art and Design Drew Bickford
This year, we have been given a powerful reminder that our world is moulded by forces beyond those in our control. As a consequence, creative thinking has come to the fore, with innovation in learning methods and contexts being recalibrated to suit a unique need.
The IGS Visual Arts students have given us creative responses to the challenges of a changing world with both grace and curiosity. Embracing complications such as off-site learning, our students worked with insight, energy and courage. Their works illustrate a defiant personal best and each effort perfectly refutes an imperfect year.
Family, wellbeing, spirituality, friendship and further themes explored
The Visual Arts students maintained a positive forward momentum throughout the turbulent year and 2020 was an opportunity for the cohort to redefine the boundaries of studio practice. Holiday and evening workshops were a link to the important concept of communal artmaking.
Ensuring an authentic collaborative experience in the studio is vital to a holistic appreciation of the course. Student artworks touched on themes of family, as well as mental health, anthropology and friendship, with social, political and spiritual influences.
This year a number of students completed major practical projects in both Design and Technology and Visual Arts, simultaneously. This is a significant undertaking and further highlights the creative strength of the IGS student body.
Applauding individual effort
The creative forces that inspired and guided our students through this year of significant hardship are finally able to be recognised in this online exhibition. Each students’ individual efforts in these two creative subjects can today be applauded and acknowledged in a deservedly public manner.
As well as congratulating the students, I would like to acknowledge the hard work of the other Year 12 teachers, Ms Sandra Veljanovski and Ms Isobel Green. Their long hours in the classroom ensured that our students were well attended to throughout the year. I also extend a big thank you to the broader team in Art and Design; Ksenija Doic, Mark Devine, Sophie Lampert, Michael Bullingham and Marisa Kiethanom for their expert assistance and feedback throughout the year.
Please enjoy the exhibition.