Step into the vibrant world of the arts at the National Art School (NAS) as it proudly unveils the 2024 Postgrad Show, a spectacular showcase of over 400 works by Australia’s next generation of emerging artists.
Open to the public until 17 November 2024, this annual exhibition has firmly established itself as a pivotal event in Sydney’s cultural calendar, attracting gallerists, collectors, and art enthusiasts eager to discover fresh talent.
The Postgrad Show serves as a launchpad for these budding artists, featuring the final bodies of work by the Master of Fine Art (MFA) graduates. This year’s exhibition offers an eclectic mix of mediums including painting, sculpture, printmaking, video, collage, 3D printing, performance, photography, drawing, and ceramics. Each piece is a testament to the diverse themes being explored—ranging from natural and digital ecosystems to identity, the Anthropocene, philosophy, and personal narratives.
Ceramics take centre stage with artists like Benjamin Akuila, who delves into themes of construction, authenticity, and plasticity, informed by his Tongan heritage. His work offers a compelling exploration of queer and diasporic identity through hybrid cultural narratives. Meanwhile, Chrystie Longworth uses ceramic forms to navigate femininity, identity, and domesticity, drawing inspiration from historical subversive messages crafted by women in textiles. Her work, with its tactile terracotta and pigment surfaces, invites viewers to experience a subtle play of light and texture.
From the drawing studios, Quan Zhu Ma marries traditional Chinese philosophy with contemporary practices, using innovative materials like heated charcoal and ash. His work reimagines traditional ink art, creating a fusion that resonates with both ancient and modern sensibilities. Rachel Mackay, on the other hand, investigates the body’s porous nature, using an expanded drawing practice that weaves together sculpture, video, and performance to position the skin as a site of memory and transformation.
In printmaking, Wiradjuri artist Freyja Fristad poignantly addresses cultural identity loss by transforming images of mass-produced domestic objects into poignant metaphysical vessels. Her work is a heartfelt navigation through the deprivation of cultural knowledge within her family—a theme that resonates deeply.
Sculpture and painting also hold strong narratives, with Mitch Davis re-contextualising found objects to explore themes of contemporary masculinity and fatherhood, and Brooke Marchel infusing Romanticism with the motif of drapery to create intimate narratives in painting.
Visitors to the NAS Postgrad Show are not only treated to these diverse artistic expressions but also have the unique opportunity to explore artists’ studio spaces across the campus. This behind-the-scenes glimpse allows for direct engagement with the artists, offering insights into their creative processes.
Artworks are available for purchase, providing a chance to support and collect works from artists on the cusp of their professional careers. As Simon Cooper, Interim Director and CEO of NAS, reflects, “We are so proud to showcase the work of this outstanding cohort of postgraduates, whose ambitious and diverse works reflect the future of art making in Australia. Each year the NAS Grad Shows garner strong interest from gallerists and collectors alike, who take the exciting opportunity to meet these artists at the launch of their careers. We are thrilled to share this rich tapestry of creativity, developed through rigorous studio-based learning and academic research at the National Art School, and following and supporting these artists’ journeys into the future.”
The Postgrad Show not only highlights the remarkable achievements of the current graduates but also continues the impressive legacy of NAS alumni, including renowned figures like Margaret Olley and Max Dupain. As the exhibition unfolds, it promises to be an experience that both celebrates and propels Australia’s artistic future.
National Art School, 156 Forbes St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
For more information and to register, visit nas.edu.au