ARTEXPRESS alumni at the Art Gallery

Each year, outstanding works by students from across NSW, developed for the art-making component of the Higher School Certificate in visual arts, are displayed in the ARTEXPRESS exhibition at various venues.

In 2023, we’re celebrating 40 years of ARTEXPRESS at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and that’s got many people reminiscing about their own involvement as exhibitors.

Here, some of the staff currently working at the Art Gallery share their stories.

Natalie Wilson, 1985

As I’m now a curator of Australian art at the Art Gallery, it may be surprising but I almost didn’t take art for my HSC in 1984. At my school, we were not able to do both art and music. I liked my art teacher so decided to choose art. That year I’d joined an amateur medieval group and learned how to make chainmail, which gave me the confidence to create something in metal for my major work. (One of my friends in the photo – now an accomplished armourer – helped me achieve my vision.) When I found out my work had made it into the ARTEXPRESS 1985 exhibition at Sydney’s Centrepoint Tower, it solidified my resolve to try to get into art school, rather than study to become an architect. I’m certain my inclusion in ARTEXPRESS got me across the line with my application to City Art Institute (now UNSW Art & Design). I began a BA (visual arts) the following year, and more than a decade later completed a masters of art history and theory. And that inspiring art teacher? I bumped into her about a decade ago at the Art Gallery – fittingly, at ARTEXPRESS!

Sophia Vlahos, 1994

I had my artwork exhibited in ARTEXPRESS 1994, after I finished my HSC in 1993, so that’s almost 30 years ago for me! I remember it as such a special moment coming to the opening where I was awarded a scholarship to the Julian Ashton art school. It’s probably part of the reason I love this gallery so much. I still have my framed coloured pencil drawings that were displayed and the exhibition catalogue with my works – such fond memories. Although I went on to study optometry and work in that field for a while, I feel that art always has a way of pulling you back. I am now almost finished a bachelor of art theory at the University of New South Wales, and I work part time in the members lounge at the Art Gallery with the membership team while I am finishing my studies. 

Brontë Hock, 2009

I remember the moment I received the letter of acceptance to ARTEXPRESS 2009 so clearly – it was delivered to me in a hospital bed! As a just-17-year-old high-school graduate who was staring into what seemed like an overwhelmingly uncertain future with more than a little trepidation, it was a profoundly encouraging and deeply reassuring thing to happen; I felt as though I was on the right path, even if I didn’t know quite yet where it would lead. I did go on to study fine art and art history, at UNSW and ANU, and have visited some of the most beautiful museums in the world. Still, I don’t know that I’ve ever experienced the same sense of pride as I did when I saw my own work displayed on the walls of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Perhaps the closest I’ve come to that feeling is when I was offered my first job here, building philanthropic support for the Art Gallery and its activities; it’s an honour to be able to help the Art Gallery deliver the same joy it has brought me to as many people as possible.

Katya Batho, 2013

I remember my high school visual arts teacher saying to me that there was a chance my body of work would be selected for ARTEXPRESS 2013, but it didn’t sink in until I received an invitation to the opening night for the exhibition at the Newington Armory Gallery, and was interviewed by the local paper. It was such a wonderful and memorable moment! I still have my artwork somewhere in a storage tub to this day. I then went on to complete a bachelor of art education at the University of New South Wales College of Fine Arts and worked as a teacher, where I could share my passion and love for art. Fast forward a few years, I’m back at the University of New South Wales Art, Design and Architecture completing a masters of curating and cultural leadership and I’ve recently joined the Art Gallery’s membership team as an events producer.

Grace Ellis, 2018

My work was exhibited in ARTEXPRESS 2018 at the Art Gallery and two smaller regional galleries, and it was definitely a game changer for me. I was so excited to achieve this, and to be exhibited here at the Gallery was a dream come true. I can remember being ecstatic when I found this out, and it's when I realised that I wanted to work in a gallery. It was amazing and eye opening to see my friends and family come together to support me and my art. Since then, I have completed a bachelor's degree in visual art and design at the Australian Catholic University and a graduate certificate in art history at the University of Melbourne, and have worked and interned at Olsen Gallery and interned at Clay Sydney. Now, I am employed at the Art Gallery in the Gallery Shop, working my first full-time job ever. I do believe ARTEXPRESS changed my life and encouraged me to pursue the direction I have been taking.

Thomas Sargeant, 2019

Having my work exhibited in ARTEXPRESS 2019 at the Art Gallery felt like it completely opened up my world. Art was always something that I loved and cared about, but I never thought that something I had made would qualify as art! I still remember receiving the email that my work would be exhibited; my legs went completely numb, I was so shocked. My favourite memory of the time is standing in front of my own piece, inspired by one of Francis Bacon’s popes, and counting the steps it took to arrive at one of his paintings exhibited in the Grand Courts. I went on to study art history at the University of Sydney, as well as editing and writing for Honi Soit, the student paper. I’m now working at the Gallery as a host, and it was being a part of ARTEXPRESS that first made me feel like I could have an active role to play in cultural life.

ARTEXPRESS 2023 is at the Art Gallery from 2 February to 7 May 2023.