The National Art School has recognised three eminent Australian artists for their outstanding careers and contribution to the visual arts community. Susan Norrie, Ann Thomson and Ken Unsworth will be declared Fellows of the National Art School at the graduation ceremony on Thursday May 21, among 60 artists, academics, family, friends, supporters and media. The event marks the first time three artists have been awarded in a single year.
National Art School Director, Michael Snelling, said, “Susan, Ann and Ken have all made momentous contributions to the visual arts, demonstrating continued excellence in their practice and influencing generations of Australians. Importantly, all three artists are National Art School alumni and their careers set an inspiring example to our students, graduates and wider community.”
“We decided to honour three Fellows this year due to the sheer volume of our alumni who are achieving at a high level. It’s important that we acknowledge and celebrate our established and senior artists in a public forum. This is something that other creative areas do on a regular basis, and we feel it’s really important to foster this sense of pride and professionalism in the visual arts sector.”
Susan Norrie graduated from the National Art School in 1972, and went on to build a successful international career as a photographer, painter, filmmaking and multi-media artist. Reflecting on her time at the National Art School, Susan commented, “The 1970s at East Sydney Technical College were formative years for me as an artist. One of my teachers was painter and conceptual artist Noel Sheridan, who often worked in video and performance. At the time, the School was under great political and social upheaval as the function of art in society was constantly debated. East Sydney Tech was radical and experimental; art was valued as a freedom of the mind.”
Ann Thomson graduated from the National Art School in 1963 with a Diploma in Art, and went on to develop her painting and sculptural practice as well as a long career as an art teacher. Thomson commented, “It was quite a feat for me as a young woman to flee from the sleepy town of Brisbane, as it was in the early 1950s, and escape to Sydney to become an art student. For me, becoming a student at East Sydney Tech with its old convict-built buildings opened up a whole other world. Real artists like John Passmore and Godfrey Miller coming from their studios to teach us was inspiring and without doubt formed my future life as an artist.”
Melbourne born Ken Unsworth graduated from the National Art School in 1962 with a Diploma in Art. He has held several teaching positions and held numerous solo exhibitions, in Australia and overseas. Upon being told about the Fellowship, Ken commented, “The most useful and indeed sometimes profound experiences at the 1960s National Art School were every night-time drawing class with Godfrey Miller, my friendship with Godfrey Miller, and conversations with Peter Laverty and John Coburn that led to the understanding that with unceasing application one might find one’s own way forward and do something that others might find worthy of thought. It may be sooner, or perhaps more realistically it may take a lifetime.”
Established in 2002 to honour the achievements of leading practitioners, the Fellowship has been awarded to notable artists in the Australian visual art world; including Fiona Hall AO, who has been acclaimed for her work in the new Australian Pavilion, which opened this week at the Venice Biennale. Previous recipients include Geoffrey Bardon AM, John Coburn AM, Elisabeth Cummings OAM, Bert Flugelman AM, Thancoupie Gloria Fletcher James AO, John Kaldor AM, Colin Lanceley AO, Chris O’Doherty aka Reg Mombassa, Margaret Olley AC, John Olsen AO OBE, Peter Rushforth AM, Martin Sharp, Guy Warren AM, Frank Watters OAM and William Wright AM.
2015 Fellows Ann Thomson, Ken Unsworth and Susan Norrie at the National Art School.
Photo: Peter Morgan.
