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
TGS Mates Program - Character Building Education
Current research into character education has shown that educators should not be focusing solely on preparing students for their Year 12 final exams but should be supporting them to become humans who exhibit good character and virtues to contribute to creating a healthier society (The Jubilee Centre, 2022). The Jubilee Centre, which is attached to the University of Birmingham in the UK, maintains that good character is the foundation for improved attainment, better behaviour, increased…
Our TGS Old Boys' Wall of Achievement
The next time you visit the School grounds, pause for a moment at the Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Wall of Achievement. This concept was the initiative of the then Deputy Headmaster, Mr Roger Buttenshaw, and was supported by the Board of Trustees, Headmasters Mr Hugh Rose and Mr Peter Hauser, and the TGSOBA - Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Association. The opening of the Wall of Achievement took place in 2003. Thousands of TGS Old Boys have gone on to lead productive and valuable…
A Musical Reflection
As Director of Performing Arts, there is perhaps no bigger undertaking than a School musical. It requires an enormous effort from a huge team of teachers and students, and to get all these moving parts heading in the same direction is certainly no mean feat. The 2023 co-production of Footloose was my first time involved in a Toowoomba Grammar School and Fairholme College musical, and I found it to be a very rewarding, though exhausting, experience. The process began in Term 3, 2022, as my…
TGS Success in GPS Sport
In 2023, Toowoomba Grammar School witnessed a remarkable resurgence in several of our sports programs, marking a year of triumph and growth. Although an elusive GPS premiership did not fall our way, a number of our 1st teams competed to the final whistle in Round 9 of their respective competitions, vying for their premierships. The achievements of our boys on the field and court were nothing short of exceptional, reflecting the commitment, dedication and character development that participation…
An Exceptional Learning Experience
As a member of the Junior School Leadership Team at Toowoomba Grammar School, my role involves ensuring that the Junior School’s Teaching and Learning programs are designed, implemented and managed effectively. This role is grounded in the vision, mission, and values of TGS and is crucial in supporting the Head of Junior School and the Director of Studies in providing an exceptional learning experience for our boys. At TGS Junior School, we prioritise the use of explicit teaching to ensure that…
An Inclusive Education
Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to introduce the newest addition to our education team, Amanda Gibson. Amanda commenced in Term 4, 2023 in the pivotal role of Head of Diverse Learners and will bring new direction and focus to the position in alignment with our commitment to inclusive education, aligning seamlessly with our Strategic Plan 2022-2026 and the Inclusive Education Policy. “I am very excited about developing this role,” said Amanda. “I have a passion for fostering environments where…
Get Involved in Everything
As Senior Prefect at Toowoomba Grammar School, I have had the opportunity to witness the benefits of being an all-rounder firsthand. With the various activities and programs the School offers, the ability to be involved in as many things as possible is not only enjoyable but brings about numerous benefits that extend far beyond the school years. Ranging from sports to drama and debating, participating in anything the School has to offer is an excellent way to make friends and build networks of…
The Importance of Knowledge
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed traveling great distances. As a child growing up in rural New South Wales, this was inevitable. The region was speckled with towns, some more vibrant than others, and diverse landscapes where hillside ruins whispered tales of bygone eras. Over time, these landscapes and towns transformed into familiar scenes, with even minor changes in the community and environment growing more noticeable during each visit. Education parallels this journey, as…
Senior TGS Students' Advice for Starting Senior School
Starting at a new school can be a time of mixed feelings – very exciting, but also quite daunting and challenging. Here are some tips from some Year 7 Grammar boys who started Senior School in 2023. Get involved in different sports and activities Toowoomba Grammar School provides many sports and activities that any student can participate in. As a current Year 7 student, I highly recommend trying out as many different sports and activities as you can. Throughout my first year in high school, I…
