It was mentioned awhile ago that we wanted to continue Evan’s love of Art and all things related. So I thought I’d tell you of my art experience from this weekend.
On Sunday I headed to the Art Gallery of NSW with little Monkey, Mr Monkey & Little Miss Poppit in tow. We had been planning to get there for months to see
“The First Emperor: China’s Entombed Warriors” and as it closes next Sunday it seemed a good time to do it. Obviously quite a few people had the same idea as the line snaked almost around the whole gallery.
So after grabbing some lunch we headed into ArtExpress, the exhibition that showcases the best of last year’s HSC (year 12) artworks in the state. I did art for my HSC (oh my god, was that really 7 years ago?!!) and while I got a very good mark for my major work I wasn’t lucky enough to make it into ArtExpress. I’ve managed to see the majority of the past 9 years exhibitions and am constantly astounded by the level of talent.
Whilst the exhibition was good as a whole, there were two or three that took my breath away. Acrylic paintings that looked so realistic that I had to check the blurb to make sure they weren’t photos, an old roll of music sheet that was stenciled with tiny, intricate and detailed drawings, a collection of bright and wonderful small square photos that revolved around the theme of string and a collection of photographs of a young girl that had been hand stitched with whimsical characters. Plus one of the sharpest photos I have seen in a long time: you can see every detail of the water drop dripping from the man’s nose.
All such amazing talent that you have to constantly remind yourself that the artist couldn’t be more than 18 years old. You can check the above link to see all of the artworks but I implore you to go see them in person if you are in Sydney. It is open until 9th May.
We then decided to brave the line seeing as we were already there and about 40 minutes later we made it in to the exhibition. It starts with an introduction of the Emperor and the region, you walk through a collection of articles excavated from the burial site which show the Emperor’s achievements and the evolution of the region’s skills and artistry. From here you move in to a dark room with some of the warriors in the centre. There is basically one of each of the types of statues, including the two types of horses. I just wish it wasn’t so crowded so I could’ve had a closer and longer look at the detailing. What I loved was the few people standing around sketching. Such a fantastic way to spend the day.
So to finish off all of my ramblings, have you seen these exhibitions? If so, what did you think? Have you seen any other artwork lately that you’d like to share?
Or have you seen an amazing work of talent lately, either young or old?
And just because it’s cute, here’s a photo of Lily making friends with one of the warriors.
I didn’t realise that finishes so soon. Damn.
Spent the weekend moving D1 and tribe and setting up all their computers and tech. gear etc. (she relies totally on computers and yet is a complete technophobe). Finished at twelve last night. Totally knackered and we are stock-taking today so that will be an all-day affair going into the wee hours of the morning. Yee hah! My next day off is Sunday, if I’m recovered enough to crawl out of bed I’ll head down to the see the warriors.
ArtExpress certainly seems to be worth a visit as well. There is one there from GS1s high school (not that he’ll be joining it, an artist he’s not). There is certainly some talent there.
Me, I can’t draw a straight line even with a ruler. I can smudge every artwork in the classroom just by sharpening my pencil. I didn’t dislike art, I just couldn’t do it.
That is indeed a cute photo of Lily.
I’ll be working my butt off today, think of me while you’re sipping your lattes.
Im exactly the same H… Completely useless at art. Love it, just cant do it. Year 8 was horrible. My art teacher couldnt understand why I just couldnt draw my shoe… I remember screaming at him that ‘drawing stick people is challenge enough and you want me to draw my F*CKING shoe in INTRICATE detail?’… I then promptly stormed off. He gave me a B… For effort… And I did put a lot of effort in.. Took extra classes blah blah blah… My shoe still came out looking like a gigantic turd with laces.
“Excuse me, you seem to have stepped in something.”
“No, that’s actually my shoe.”
I like going to exhibitions but I haven’t been to one for a while. The last one I went to was an exhbition of Australian quilts, made by people from all walks of life throughout Australia’s history. Some of them were absolutely incredible. The exhibition included a quilt made by my grandmother (a wagga) and that was a bit exciting.
Before that, my last visit was to the Andy Warhol exhibition at GOMA in Brisbane.
Oh and I’ve always been pretty good at art. Can draw and paint well and stuff. Carved a gargoyle from Hebel brick for my best friend for her birthday. Used to be a costume designer for the theatre for a while. Have designed and made some pretty impressive cakes.
It all seems so easy for me. I don’t seem to have an ‘I can’t do that’ section of my brain. I think of something I want to create and I just do it. If it doesn’t work, who cares?
Mum said to me once that I seem to forget that other people can’t do what I do. And I guess I don’t really get that as, as I said, it all seems easy to me.
I think both you & your Mum nailed the point – people allow their self-doubt to talk them out of giving something a try. You don’t, and so you will give it a go. I also think you have natural talent, which makes it seem easy to you.
Most people will find a knack or talent for something creative, but they just have to be willing to give things a go to find what they like & will keep practising to improve their skills. They have to talk-down or let go of the self doubt and allow themselves to try.
I’m somewhere in-between. Decorating a cake, yes I’ll have a go. Not in your league yet Pokey (that peacock cake is amazing!), but still good enough to impress people, so I’m happy & will keep practising. But drawing or painting, I’ll give it a miss. Designing & stitching a sampler or special piece, not a problem. Music, not a problem. Cooking, not a problem. It’s just a matter of finding what you like and what you are good at.
You, Princess Pokelyn, were blessed by the random deities/DNA/upbringing with both talent and natural self belief. And we get to enjoy the fabulous results!
*puts hand up* Guilty as charged.
I was and still am bad at drawing and other arts & crafts (also haven’t got the interest). I do admire those who have that creative streak in them though.
Can’t play a musical instrument either, even though I love music. Cooking and baking appear to be my forté, but I’m hardly a Michelin star chef or prize winning baker. I do it for fun, which is the important thing.
Hear hear!
Absolutely! No point if you don’t enjoy it.
It has been a while since I went to any exhibition. Last year we attended the PMA Australia show & exhibition (photography) which included student, amateur & professional entries, and some of them were just spectacular.
For art of a different kind, we usually attend the Loch quilt hanging (Pokey’s post reminded me) and some of them are amazing. Unfortunately didn’t get to this year’s, but will probably go again next year.
Otherwise, it is a rare outing for me, but I would like to go more often, especially to some of the touring exhibitions like the Entombed Warriors.
*adds to wish list*
I was always fairly useless at fine art, though I did do a couple of units of metalcraft. Most of my work was fairly average, but I did enjoy it and picked up some techniques. Probably my best piece is a pewter pendant set with a tiger eye stone.
I had a choice of doing photography, but there were limited places in the class and you had to apply. I got in, but one of my friends didn’t so I opted to give up my spot. Now, years later, I’ve picked up the camera and am playing again. I wonder if I would have been any good at it back then, though.
I never seem to have trouble picking up the theories and techniques behind an art, but I do struggle with the “artistic eye”: the composition and layout side, which are really more important than the technical side I think.
I don’t hate art as such. I just don’t ‘get’ it I think sometimes. I love looking at photos and stuff but I’m not one for finding deeper meaning in a painting usually. And I’ve never been particularly fantastic at art either. My brother used to be pretty into drawing and was fairly good at it as well. He got the artistic gene of the family for sure.
I do love the history behind things like the Terracotta Warriors. I would love to go see them. I didn’t realise that ended so soon. May have to make a day of it on Saturday.
Oh and I haven’t been to many art galleries but I did get to a few overseas and saw some amazing paintings including one that is meant to be one of the largest in the world. Amazing.
Good Morning fellow Splatters,
It’s a yucky day here today but:
“Whoa-oa-oa! I feel good, I knew that I would, now
I feel good, I knew that I would, now
So good, so good, I got you
Whoa! I feel nice, like sugar and spice
I feel nice, like sugar and spice
So nice, so nice, I got you.”
Thanks to James Brown for getting that off my chest.
Suffice to say, I’m practically cured – got an appointment with the doctor today and I expect a clean bill of health.
I used to visit the National Gallery on St Kilda road when I could, many years ago. I’m not arty and have no talent but it was just the beauty and atmosphere of the place that made me forget the world outside and immerse myself in another almost spiritual reality. The kind of calm you expect when you visit an grand old cathedral.
I actually have a funny story about one day at that Gallery and I’m not sure what year it was but myself and friend decided to spend the afternoon there because we had the day off as it was cup day. I can’t remember what room we were in but the load speaker announced that THE race was about to start and duly broadcast the Melbourne Cup on the load speakers. Now that was a surreal experience.
Have a great week and I hope you are all well or getting there.
Cazzy xxxxxxxxxxxx
It used to be free to get in, with the exception of special exhibits but it’s been about 15 years since I’ve seen it.
Glad you are feeling better.