Visual Arts Engaging Creativity

If you venture over to the Visual Art’s studios on any Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday you will find students from Years 7 to 12 engaged in artmaking and creative pursuits.

The Visual Arts Department not only caters to elective students who wish to extend their artmaking practice at Art Access but is also open to all Barker students and staff who wish to learn ceramic and photography techniques. Barker’s Darkroom and Ceramics programs have been running for many years under the expertise of Ms Ellen Macdonald. The Darkroom program runs on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 3.30 until 5pm and is open to all students from Years 7-12. Students learn how to use a 35mm film camera, process film and print images in the Darkroom using experimental techniques. The Ceramics program is open to all students from Years 7-12. Students learn how to create a variety of works in clay through a range of projects using handbuilding and wheelforming techniques. Barker students create fun projects in a relaxed environment with friends, while also building connections with students from other year groups. If you are interested in joining the Darkroom or Ceramics program, please come to the Design Centre, Level 1 and speak to Ellen Macdonald.

Tara Jongsma Head of Visual Arts

Tristan Lyth Year 9 For the last couple of years, I have been in the Photography Club and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I particularly loved processing film and enlarging the images onto paper. I really enjoy the process and artistic elements of taking both digital and film photos. I have also been a finalist in the Australian Photography Awards and the Head On competitions. Attending the after-school classes has really helped me understand more about cameras in general and creative processing. Overall, I would highly recommend this club to anyone who enjoys photography or wants to learn more about it.

Ben Weatherall Year 9 I’ve attended Photography Club since Year 7 and have learnt something new about darkroom photography every week. From rayograms to processing film, this club has taught me a lot about photography and has made me see the world in a new light. Lately I’ve really enjoyed experimental techniques like painting with developer, solarising and overlaying images. The Photography Club has taught me a lot about photography and has been a really fun experience.

Nikitha Sesha Year 11 I have really enjoyed being a part of Barker’s co-curricular art programs. It has allowed me to develop new skills in both photography and ceramics. In ceramics there were several techniques and machines that I was able to try out and gain a better understanding of. Some of the projects we made include constructing pots using coils of clay, modelling animals with only a single slab of clay and my personal favourite, building Shaun Tan inspired characters. These models were very quirky and enabled us to think creatively. One of the most difficult projects that we made was a replica milk carton, this required us to think practically yet creatively. I have also been part of Barker’s Photography program which has been the highlight of my time at Barker. It was really enjoyable to take photos with an SLR film camera and develop them in the darkroom. I have thoroughly enjoyed Barker’s co-curricular art program and am extremely grateful to our teacher Ms Macdonald. Henry Balzer Year 10 Ceramics has been a most enjoyable time on a Tuesday afternoon in the 'outside of school' club. Last year we completed various creative projects including throwing on the pottery wheel, modelling animals and characters, constructing glazed milk cartons and slip cast vessels from our own moulds. The club has been part of Hidden 2019, a sculpture exhibition located at Rookwood cemetery. Our group artwork was an infinity symbol made up of many stones. I plan on entering my own sculpture this year. I look forward to the year ahead.

Sophia Zhao Year 8 I had never tried ceramics before I attended the Ceramics Club last year. My most memorable moments were slip casting and creating my Shaun Tan inspired character from clay. I am looking forward to starting my second year attending the Club.

Lydia Hsieh Year 8 Last year attending the Ceramic Club was a great experience for me because I achieved many things that I would have never imagined doing! We made many things and learnt many skills such as throwing on the wheel and hand building. My favourite project would have to be the milk cartons I made together with my friends.

Alina Song Year 8 Last year I looked forward to Tuesday afternoons because I enjoyed creating handbuilt objects and learning new ceramic techniques. I found throwing on the wheel challenging but I had lots of fun creating projects in ceramics with my friends last year! I am looking forward to ceramics again this year.

Rev Jeff Ware Community Chaplain Apart from surprising myself by making a couple of semi-reasonable items, it was a joy to learn new skills alongside students under the direction of someone as encouraging, creative and talented as Ellen Macdonald.