A TGS Old Boy Ben Rosenberg has been included as one of 37 from 1500 entries around the state to be featured at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) in Brisbane.

2023 Visual Arts student Ben Rosenberg (TGS 2019-2023) had his film “Mitchell” selected and it's now on display as part of the 2024 Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art at GoMA.

For 30 years the Awards have recognised and promoted excellence in senior visual art education throughout Queensland schools. Secondary schools typically enter the work of up to four Senior students. Previous winners from TGS include Sam McCosker (2013) and Austin Reed (2017).

Ben is a filmmaker and through his Visual Art studies at school, he was able to continue to explore his passion. Ben wanted to make a documentary about Mitchell Wilkes.

I wanted to allow the audience to see the world through someone else’s eyes.”
— Ben Rosenberg

Mitchell is now in Year 10 and continues to navigate the world with deteriorating eyesight. Ben created his prize-winning video artwork from his documentary footage as his goal was to “create images that serve as portals into Mitchell’s vision, contrasting them with clear cinematography”.

Last Saturday, Ben and the other winners of the 2023 competition, Creative Generations alumni, invited guests, and the Minister for Education attended the opening of the exhibition.

Ben’s ultimate goal is to “write and direct feature films”. He is currently in his first year at Bond University studying Film.

“It’s important that our boys get to see, first-hand, quality artwork created by their peers.”
— Mr Giles Murfin

This week we’ll be taking our Senior Visual Art students to see the show and admire the high standard of artwork from some very talented Queensland students.

Understanding the wide variety of ways in which artists communicate their intentions helps our students succeed with their own work, and helps them understand how contemporary art challenges, entertains, and informs the viewer.

Our students now utilise a wider range of media in their Visual Art studies including photography, digital media, installation, performance, mixed-media and, of course, video. This year we’re preparing more student work to be entered into a number of competitions, including the Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art. Watch this space!

You can read more about Year 10 student Mitchell Wilkes in the upcoming OMNIBUS magazine.


Latest Blog

Character & Wellbeing
/
Wednesday, 07 Dec 2022

Building Self-Confidence and Resilience in Year 7s

As your child enters the new and unknown world of secondary school, it is a very important time to nurture the confidence and self-esteem of your son. Adolescence can also be a time of bewildering physical changes and strong emotions, opinions and increasing independence. Nurturing their confidence, self-esteem and assertiveness will go a long way to helping them to have the self-belief to tackle difficult new academic challenges, to developing new friendships and social skills, and…

Read More
People
/
Wednesday, 30 Nov 2022

Introducing our new Head of Year 7 - Jodi Blades

My family moved from Brisbane to Toowoomba when I was ten years of age. I’ve lived here for most of my life, other than to study and begin my teaching career in Brisbane. I lived and worked in London for 18 months before returning to Toowoomba in 2001. With over 20 years’ experience teaching and leading pastoral care programs within independent day and boarding schools, I am dedicated to developing students holistically; the academic, social, emotional, cultural, and physical development of…

Read More
General
/
Wednesday, 23 Nov 2022

Holiday Reading Recommendations

Here is a snapshot; three titles from each year level, and from Head of Library and Information Services, Mr Dan Crook to inspire your choices for holiday reading: Year 7: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - The last Ronin. Hatchet - Gary Paulsen Billy Slaters autobiography - Billy Slater Year 8: The dead of the night (Tomorrow series) - James Marsden Rangers Apprentice The ruins of Gorlan - John Flannagan The Hunger games. -Suzanne Collins Year 9: Back to the Pillaga - Tony Parsons Deadpool Samurai…

Read More
Character & Wellbeing
/
Tuesday, 22 Nov 2022

Life After School

As children grow and develop, they participate in a range of new experiences, with the “journey” from birth to adulthood being shaped by several awaited and expected transitions. These transitions occur across a range of context and help us to evolve in new environments. It is important to note that transition is associated with a change, which is something that happens for all of us. The concept of transition involves how we process, manage, and respond to the change. As adults, we work hard…

Read More
The Arts
/
Thursday, 10 Nov 2022

TGS Artist in Residence - Ben Tupas

I’ve been following Toowoomba Grammar School’s exciting Artist-in-residence program for several years. After seeing fellow Toowoomba artists such as Catherine Parker, Alice Weinthal and Vincent Parisi taking up the opportunity and engaging in the program, I decided to apply in 2022 to continue the momentum of my own artist practice. With the four-week residency wrapping up at the end of October, and some time to reflect on the experience I can write that the experience was a valuable…

Read More
Character & Wellbeing
/
Monday, 24 Oct 2022

The Transition to Secondary School

Research shows us that the move from a primary school to a secondary school is one of the most significant life changes that our young men will face. You can help make the transition to Senior School smoother by ensuring that the boys attend the orientation days, practice packing their bags and getting their sports, music, and activities equipment ready. When asked about tips for the boys coming into Year 7, current Year 7 dayboy, Ollie Wells suggests boys should “Be organised. Pack the night…

Read More
Teaching & Learning
/
Thursday, 20 Oct 2022

Nothing is Impossible

Toowoomba Grammar School's Year 7C English has been studying 'Cool Runnings' to learn about how stories or movies based on real life aren't always completely true. Extremely fascinated by the topic, young student Harry Ryan took it upon himself to message (via LinkedIn) the bobsled driver, Mr Dudley Stokes - he responded! After a little communication between the two, Harry asked Mr Stokes if he could FaceTime him during an English lesson, to 'meet' his teacher Mr Paul Irwin and classmates…

Read More
Character & Wellbeing
/
Wednesday, 12 Oct 2022

Simple Acts of Kindness

Giving back to the community is an important value that Toowoomba Grammar School endeavours to instill in our boys. Year 12 student, Tumoana Strugnell is a shining example of how it costs nothing but our time to help others, especially as we move into the Festive season and the challenges of life seem heightened. I first became involved in community service when I was in Year 6, through my local primary school’s involvement on ANZAC Day and my parent’s involvement in local community events. I’m…

Read More
Boarding
/
Friday, 07 Oct 2022

A Holistic Approach to our Boarders' Activities Program

A true education is about much more than just lessons in a classroom. It’s about providing experiences that challenge a child, physically and mentally. It’s about providing opportunities that build independence, resilience and that help develop their good character. Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to offer a broad and liberal education that stretches way beyond the walls of a classroom and equips our boys with the skills to flourish as an individual. We offer a diverse and engaging…

Read More