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 one.
During the residency I was able to set up a multi-faceted studio space in the Henderson Gallery. As students did their own learning in the adjacent Visual Arts and Drama spaces, I was able to do my own artist learning, experimenting, and testing.
While working primarily in video, I was able to explore some ideas I had with painting as well as finish some existing projects, including ‘Has Joined The Room’ which is now on show as part of Outer Space Gallery’s Supercut online exhibition.
Redwood Call I (2022)
One highlight of the residency was exploring ways of getting an audience (here, the students) to question their perception of reality. To do this, I projected a digital, video version of a window onto a white blind which covered the actual window. Each week, I would make subtle changes to the video. If you stayed long enough you would see cadets parading across the oval, ghostly parachutists descending from the sky or the window wobbling and waving out of its frame. Through these experiments, I was able to move through a process of considering the audience and fine-tune how I would explain artistic concepts in a general way, as well as testing what worked and what didn’t under a tight timeline. Furthermore, students were able to ask me questions, interrogate my ideas, participate in artmaking, and be themselves around the art – something that rarely happens in a public gallery, theatre or performance space.
Over the duration of the residency, I was able to see students in their own classrooms develop works of art from concept to the final form. By doing this, it confirmed the value of the Arts as a crucial element in a student’s learning. What other learning experience allows you to develop an idea, problem-solve, work through the challenges of the medium (eg paint, wire, video) while practicing individual self-expression, mindfulness and reflection? The Arts matter!
The final video work I created during the residency titled ‘Endurance Sport’ riffs on this idea. Artists, whether they practice professionally or as hobbyists, are like endurance athletes. This takes training, time and focused attention. In my four weeks as Artist-in-residence I was privileged to be granted all three.
You can view the Final Video here:
Latest Blog
Developing a Sense of Belonging for our TGS Boarders
How do we adequately develop a teenager’s 'sense of belonging' in boarding? Head of Boyce House, Boarding, Mr Michael Hall has investigated how 'Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs' applies to boarding. It is a psychological theory that suggests human beings have a set of fundamental needs that must be fulfilled in a hierarchical order. The theory proposes that individuals must first satisfy their physiological needs before moving on to higher-level needs, such as the 'belongingness' that is so…
Kia Moemoeā – Dream Beyond Limits
A 12-year study has found that boys consistently perform better in an all boys’ school compared to boys in co-educational schools. This was one of several interesting topics presented at the recent International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC) Conference in Auckland, New Zealand which I attended alongside three of my Toowoomba Grammar School colleagues – Mr Luke Rawle, Mr Dave Klan and Mrs Jessica Galbraith. We joined 600 leading educators from 15 countries around the world for the four-day…
Blue and Gold in the Blood
“I had such fond memories from the School and enjoyed all the opportunities available, particularly participating in sport and learning at such a high level; my sons were going to have the same great education,” said Chris adamantly. Chris was a boarder from Dalby and an “all-rounder” as a student. He was part of the 1st XV, a CUO in the Cadets, a member of the debating team, involved in drama (featuring in two plays during his time) and a good academic student. “I really enjoyed boarding,”…
The Benefits of Repeated Reading
An effective and evidence-based method that can significantly improve your child's reading abilities is repeated reading. Reading proficiency is a vital skill that sets the foundation for academic success and lifelong learning. Repeated reading, a simple yet powerful technique, has been proven to enhance reading fluency, comprehension, and overall confidence. Let's delve into why repeated reading is such a beneficial practice for your child. Research consistently supports the benefits of…
Print v Digital
I recently read an article by Petra Stock, entitled "Streaming Stories: Will Children’s Digital Book Platforms Upend Print", an interesting discussion comparing ebooks and print media and the ways they are being used during and post COVID. Which is better according to the article? Well, there is a clear winner; however, like many things, the answer can depend on the situation. I'd like to break elements of the article down, along with my own thoughts and compare the two. Social…
Striking a Balance
We understand that, as parents, we aspire to provide our children with the best education and opportunities for growth. Within the Junior School at Toowoomba Grammar School, we believe in fostering a love for learning while enabling your son to reach his full potential. In this article, we would like to emphasise the significance of automaticity and basic skill practice in extending your child's learning journey, while emphasising the importance of respecting their individual pace. Automaticity…
Developing Sportsmanship from Prep
Overwhelming pride in wearing the Blue and Gold is a familiar emotion for Toowoomba Grammar School students, as is abundantly evident in all our boys, from Prep to Year 12. This emotion and passion for the School is the essence of our TGS culture and defines what it means to be a TGS student. The launch of the 2022 - 2026 Strategic Plan creates an exciting opportunity for our co-curricular program, which links perfectly into the "character and wellbeing" pillar. The development of good…
Why Study Drama?
As an educator with over 30 years’ experience in the Arts, I specialise in the analytical, creative and practical spheres that quantify and qualify success in drama. I have been a Drama teacher and Arts Project Officer in the Independent, Catholic, state, and private sectors in primary and secondary, single sex and co-educational environments. This longevity of knowledge, gained through firsthand experience, affirms that students who study drama through until at least Year 10 acquire…
Drive and Determination
Jeremy Peacock is ranked third in the world in the PTS4 Para category and his sights are set on selection for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. During Jeremy’s time at TGS he represented the School in numerous endeavours but was particularly known for his contributions to the Arts, particularly Music. On the sports field, Jeremy represented TGS in GPS Athletics, Cross Country, Cricket and Football. After returning from a gap year in the UK teaching music at Port Regis School, Dorset, Jeremy…
