Next generation of artists unveil work at 2023 VCA Grad Show
The VCA Art Grad Show has returned with an extraordinary display of new work by graduating art students at the University of Melbourne Victorian College of the Arts (VCA).
Featuring more than 140 projects, the 2023 Art Grad Show is one of the largest exhibitions of emerging art in the country, offering audiences insight into the latest developments in contemporary art thinking and practice today.
The exhibition encompasses a wide range of contemporary art disciplines, including painting, sculpture, installation, video, performance, photography, printmaking and more.
Head of Art at the VCA, Associate Professor Simone Slee, said this year’s Grad Show is a striking exhibition of critically engaged artwork.
“The artworks reflect a myriad of perspectives on issues and discourses that resonate with the world right now, viewed through the lens of our diverse VCA Art graduates,” Professor Slee said.
“This exhibition presents narratives that are intimate and personal; the bonds between families, stories passed from generation to generation and from country to country. Some works are playful and light hearted, others are powerful and poignant; from self-portraits to complex projections, from sculptural textiles to architectural interventions.”
Among the show's highlights is a striking video installation by Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drawing and Printmaking) student Naimo Omar.
Naimo said the work is inspired by her connection to Melbourne's Muslim and Somali communities and examines the interplay between private and public spaces from the perspective of a minority body.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drawing and Printmaking) student Naimo Omar. Image credit: Gregory Lorenzutti
“My work explores the internal infrastructure and façades of train stations, particularly Werribee and Hoppers Crossing stations in the western suburbs,” Naimo said.
“Through my work, I examine the evolving functions of public transport spaces, focusing on accessibility and the experiences of individuals with diverse identities, including those who are fat, Muslim, Black, and immigrants.”
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting) student Grace Murphy's work is also featured, with Grace drawing on her experience working in the pet industry to inform her paintings.
Grace has examined the complex relationship between human and animal life through vibrant and ornate depictions of animals in unconventional settings.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting) student Grace Murphy. Image credit: Gregory Lorenzutti
“This series of oil paintings depict artificially constructed moments, symbolising the complexities that exist in human and animal relationships - domestication, personification, and the value of animals,” says Grace.
“I’ve incorporated subtle abnormalities in form and alterations to add complexity and intrigue to these images. I aim for these distortions to encourage viewers to engage with the work more deeply, as they consider their relationship with art, reality, and personal experience.”
Also exhibiting in this year’s show is Bachelor of Fine Arts (Photography) student Demi Kromidellis.
Demi's photographs delve deeply into themes of identity, belonging, and her Greek heritage, capturing intimate scenes from her life and her grandparents' home and garden.
“These works draw from the stories and wisdom passed down by my parents and grandparents,” Demi said.
“I’ve reinterpreted these stories in a modern light, envisioning the future evolution of my cultural identity.”
For the graduating students, the exhibition represents the culmination of years of dedication, hard work, and a profound engagement with their craft.
The 2023 VCA Art Grad Show is on display from 24-30 November at the University of Melbourne Southbank campus and will be open between 11am - 5pm daily. Read more and organise your visit. Audiences to the VCA Art Grad Show can also view Buxton Contemporary’s latest exhibition Nadine Christensen: Around.