ARTEXPRESS: Record success for Sydney Catholic Schools

A record 14 Sydney Catholic Schools graduates have earned a place in HSC visual arts showcase ARTEXPRESS this year, with another eight nominated for the prestigious exhibition.

The selected artworks embrace mediums including ceramics, sculpture, photography, drawing, painting and mixed-media to provide an emotive and considered look at themes including childhood, cultural identity, literature and a rare neurological condition.

Clancy Catholic College West Hoxton graduate Krovanes Nico’s photomedia series O le a fuga mai (Come into bloom) acknowledges her growing connection to her Samoan heritage.

Aquinas Catholic College Menai graduate Alyssa Cavallaro’s work, Chiese e cattedrali, is an ode to old-world architecture.

“By using coloured pencil in a realistic style in my body of work, my intention is to represent the incredible detail of the old world, detail that our new world is quickly forgetting,” she said.

De La Salle College Cronulla graduate’s Sienna Salvato’s charcoal drawings of drama students modelling Shakespeare’s Desdemona and Othello presents “a whimsical take on the idea of Shakespearean tragedy”.

Marist College Kogarah graduate Cristian Varvakis used graphic design and mixed media to represent his emotions around the experience of the rare neurological phenomenon, visual snow. It includes seeing static, coloured dots and auras.

“My work is intended to demonstrate the beauty within the disorientation of my experience of visual snow while challenging perceptions of normalcy, vision and reality,” he said.

 “As an educator, it is incredibly gratifying to see so many students from our system selected for such a celebrated, high-calibre showcase.” – Helen Landas

Success on show

“Seeing our students’ work recognised in ARTEXPRESS not only validates their hard work and creative abilities but also inspires other students to pursue their artistic passions,” said Education Officer: Creative and Performing Arts, Helen Landas.

“It also demonstrates the value of arts education in nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression, which are essential skills for success.”

Nurturing artistic talent

Sydney Catholic Schools’ approach to arts education plays a significant role in nurturing the kind of achievement seen in ARTEXPRESS.

It includes an emphasis on creativity, quality teaching, a wide range of opportunities for skill development and cultivating a supportive community of parents, teachers and fellow students.

“Our emphasis on creativity fosters a culture where students feel empowered to take risks and push the boundaries of their artistic practice,” Ms Landas said.

“The dedication and expertise of our arts educators are also crucial in nurturing students’ artistic talents. Our teachers are passionate about their subjects and are committed to providing students with the guidance, support, and inspiration they need to excel in their artistic endeavours.

“By fostering a supportive and inclusive community, Sydney Catholic Schools create an environment where students feel motivated to excel and are supported in their artistic pursuits.”