Scotch College

In the eye of the beholder

On Tuesday 16 May, the Year 11 Art and Studio Art Students went their separate ways.

The Art Students headed for Kangaroo Ground, where they visited the studio of a young emerging Australian sculptor, Mr Gunther Kopietz. Mr Kopietz has just completed a series of sculptures for the Crown Casino in Brisbane, and regularly exhibits at Australia Galleries in Collingwood. He is known for his lifesize timber figures carved with a chainsaw, then the sections being pinned together. Will Harkness from the class is pictured with his arm around a nude; which unfortunately for Will, is made of wood.

The group, lead by Mr Mason, then made their way to Yarra Glen to visit the workshop of ceramic artist and Master Potter, Mr Ted Secombe. His work is represented in collections in Australia, America, the UK and Japan. In Japan he was awarded the title of Master Potter, in recognition of the excellence of his craftsmanship. The boys were able to see Mr Seacombe demonstrating turning on the wheel, and discuss with him the techniques involved with the firing of the very large pieces in the drying racks. Lachlan Skinner and Guy Batters can be seen in the workshop looking at some of the glazed and fired pots, while Sarn Barratt in the background is admiring a massive unfired wheel thrown piece.

While all this was taking place, the Studio Arts Students met in the City, to view an exhibition of contemporary British artist, Phillip Hughes , at the George Adams Gallery, Southbank. After some lively discussion about the topographical landscapes on view, the boys made their way to the riverbank to work in small groups on a black and white photography assignment. The group can be seen being addressed by the Head of Art, Mr Taylor, outside the National Gallery, prior to breaking up into small groups to complete their assignment.

Each boy will complete a studio course in photography, developing and printing his own images. They will ultimately use these photographs with digital manipulation programmes, such as Photoshop and Illustrator.

After spending the latter part of the morning taking photographs for the assigned task, they met again at the Photography Studies College in City Road., where they were taken on a tour of the facilities and shown examples of the tertiary students work.

Both groups linked up at the end of the day to view the Top Cats Exhibition at the National Gallery. By looking at this exhibition they were able to get an idea of the standard of work at this level. The show included a multimedia piece by David Reid a Scotch student from 1998.

Mr Chris Taylor