On a crisp winter’s day, our Year 7 Visual Arts students set out on an inspiring excursion to explore one of Australia’s most prestigious art events, the Archibald Prize. The day began at the S.H. Ervin Gallery at Observatory Hill, where the boys visited the Salon des Refusés exhibition, often referred to as “the best of the rest”. These are the high-quality portraits that didn’t quite make the official Archibald Prize finalist list, but still offer powerful insights into contemporary portraiture.
Students were given a short talk on the exhibition and a few selected works before choosing two paintings they felt should have made the final cut. Each boy then sketched his chosen portraits, honing his observational skills while engaging closely with the artworks.
After a break for lunch in the sunshine at Hyde Park, the group continued to the Art Gallery of New South Wales to view the Archibald Prize finalists. There, students were asked to sketch the winning portrait, their personal favourite and one they least connected with, encouraging them to consider both personal taste and artistic merit.
The excursion will feed directly into an assessment task early in Term 3, where students will critique the exhibitions and submit a supporting artwork.
It was a rewarding day for all involved, with many boys visiting a major art gallery for the first time. Their enthusiasm, thoughtful responses and developing artistic insight made for a truly memorable experience.
Stewart Hannan, Head of Visual Arts
