ARTISTIC VOYEUR: ART EXPRESS

By Benjamen Judd

Official Website

One of the great things about Sydney is the way that the city embraces art as a way of engaging with the city. In summer, parks become photo galleries; in winter, Vivid LIVE turns the city in to one great big light installation; and the biannual Biennale which takes over Walsh Bay and Cockatoo Island (and is happening right now) brings the work of creative minds from all over the world to our fair shores.

But one of our favourite artist endeavours is the annual graduation show of the state’s best art students that is shown at the Art Gallery of NSW – Art Express.

Now operating for close to 50 years, Art Express is not simply an exhibition of works but also a look into the minds of our future artists. The show is a collection of finished work, diaries that show the artistic progress and thought process of students plus the written theoretical work that often gets overlooked.

It is a fascinating insight in to how art is both made and encouraged in the younger generation. It is also a unique mirror that reflects contemporary culture and highlights issues that youth face today.

Art Express is on show now at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and will run until May 11. Entry is free.