Sydney sketch club visited Royal Botanic Garden and enjoyed outstanding High School students’ annual art exhibition at NSW ArtGallery! My three sketches are a fountain, a water dragon (*looks like an iguana) and the student's work, plus the photo of water dragon. Each student's work responds to our social issues and phenomena : environmental issue, identity, racism, gender, faith, mental problem, health issue etc, etc. Their powerful messages have reached my heart. It's fantastic!
First, the sketch of a fountain. This work could be overworked though, it's a good lesson. I enjoyed challenge. I always learn something. All experiments become precious experiences = there's no word, a "mistake" in my dictionary. I’m positive! Some members asked me about how to put colours. Mutual help is our group's beauty. I explained a total value, which made others happy. Your smile always helps us be happy! We had fun around the ornate gate.
Second, a special guest, a water dragon, a handsome guy or a gorgeous lady! A member commented, "You have really captured the dragon's facial expression, strong but a bit wary! Full of character." Thank you for a compliment. S/he silently stayed with me until I finished the work. I felt we had a bond. The eyes were very graceful and seductive. Garden visitors respected us and quietly passed by the bridge. Or, we, humans should be humble guests for these wild lives in the rich and beautiful nature of the Botanical Garden.
This is the model. We met on a bridge. How romantic, Daaarling!
Regarding the Art Express 2016, the level of every art work is so high, strong and striking. The art forms include drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, textiles and fibre, graphic design etc. It's really a privilege to get into young people's inner world directly in their art works. I read each student's statement with care and respect. Many works are sending the cry of a polluted nature, warning a future generation and calling for taking an immediate action to protect environment. I felt young students' serious concern of their own near future. One of the works, Uzma Sirguroh's "Epilepsy: a stitch in time" (textile and fiber) moved me so much. At first, I almost overlooked her work, but I wondered why these tiny clothes are displayed on the wall of the "State" Gallery. Each small textile has a powerful message such as "wishing I could disappear." How much this student has been suffering! She has got hurt, discriminated and stigmatised by society. But she has sublimated pains into art and fights against unfairness! Uzma, you're a brave winner!! I admire all these students. Their art works are fabulous.
Talking of my taste, I like Rebecca Rego's work most. I coloured it in a studio from my memory and more freely. I like Rebecca's work, because she loved
reading books in her childhood, which motivated her to create the sculptures. "Quentin Blake" illustrated Matilda was on the top of the piled books. Me, too, was a bookworm and great to know there are young people still love books, not digitalised ones. It was so nice to see familiar children
picture book characters or literature. I hope printed books will survive! Thank you for a security who allowed me to sketch it.
Sydney Sketch Club is terrific! Thank you, Jennifer and lovely members. They took me to such lovely places. Friends, the exhibition is worth visiting. It has given me energy and inspiration to tackle my own art work. Australia, we have such talented young people. I sincerely hope they will keep enjoying their art activities and society will support youngish talents.
Friends, Happy Painting and Be Creative!
Botanic Garden, Best Students' Exhibition @ NSW Art Gallery
