Inspiring, Challenging and Educating
The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is committed to preserving, presenting, and enhancing public access to art. The philosophy of the NGV is to provide opportunities for visitors to engage with art and ideas through exhibitions, programs, and other initiatives that inspire, challenge, and educate.
So, what does it mean to an 18-year-old to have their work selected and exhibited in Top Arts at the National Gallery of Victoria as part of the VCE Season of Excellence?
In short, a lot.
Jasmine Glass, proud Dagoman, Wardaman and Gurindji woman and 2022 St Catherine’s Alumnae was thrilled, nervous and excited.
Jasmine’s 2022, installation Women weaving, 2022, raffia, 60.5 cm diameter (woven circle), 238 .0 x 260 .0 cm (variable) (overall) was selected from over 1400 entries. The installation of raffia weaving suggested an unbroken tradition of passing weaving skills down through generations of women weavers.
Installed at St Catherine’s School, the installation was accompanied by a circle of gum branches and leaves to suggest the yarning circle or group activity shared.
At the NGV, potential pests on gum leaves poses an environmental hazard to the valuable collection. The ring of leaves was suggested by a pristine, white, low circular plinth which still managed to communicate a sense of working in the round.
If art can inspire, challenge, and educate, what is the ripple effect of Jasmine’s selection?
At the opening on Thursday 16 March, Jasmine, supported by her sister Cortney, presented as a confident young woman, extremely happy with her nursing studies. Her Studio Arts studies helped enable this tertiary pathway.
The weaving practice of her people and her story are now to be shared with hundreds of people who pass through the NGV.
Many Melbourne based VCE Visual Arts students will visit this exhibition to be inspired by excellence. Jasmine wants to work in her community helping people and, in this exhibition, she is also helping people understand her culture from a personal perspective.
Artist and St Catherine’s Art Technician Mr Hugo Blomley remembers the excitement and thrill of being exhibited in his VCE year. Hugo reflected that his inclusion in the exhibition gave him confidence and fuelled his long-term engagement in the Arts.
Vicki Ward MP on opening the exhibition, noted that the creative and critical thinking essence of the Arts is very much needed in all industries. On a personal note, Jasmine’s mother Kathy Glass who excitedly ‘visited’ the opening on a video call from Katherine NT, taught me the basics of weaving in 2022. Inspired, I recently completed a daylong weaving workshop with a young indigenous educator. I now have the knowledge, permission, and the skills to teach weaving at St Catherine’s School.
Who would have guessed that when Jasmine started weaving at the beginning of 2022, that in Term 2 of 2023, we would be teaching the context, significance, and techniques of non-traditional indigenous weaving. Thanks Jas.
Further information on Jasmine’s Top Arts artworks can be found at www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/top-arts-2023/
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Top Arts 2022, Jasmine Glass
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Top Arts 2022, Jasmine Glass
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Top Arts 2022, Jasmine Glass with St Catherine's Art Teacher Mrs Brigid Weereratne
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Top Arts 2022, Jasmine Glass
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Top Arts 2022, Jasmine Glass
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Top Arts 2022, Jasmine Glass with Miss Cortney Glass and Mrs Brigid Weereratne
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Top Arts 2022, Jasmine Glass
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Top Arts 2022, Jasmine Glass and Mrs Brigid Weereratne
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Top Arts 2022, Jasmine Glass
