The Canberra Institute of Technology’s (CIT) Library at Reid is playing host to a series of artworks produced by its own art students.
Visual Arts teacher at CIT, Paul Murray said he’d worked with fellow Visual Arts teacher, Bernie Slater and Liaison Librarian Nicole Gammie to turn the library into a place for the Certificate IV in Visual Arts and Diploma of Visual Art students to display their work.
Mr Murray said the work on display was part of a series inspired by two artistic movements.
“The first series was based on the traditional notion of the ‘Vanitas’ still life – using painted objects as symbols for life’s journeys,” Mr Murray said.
“Students were given a brief to closely observe and paint their own selected objects. Compositional angles to create drama were a key consideration and, prior to painting, the students took photos to decide upon their preferred orientation for the arrangement,” he said.
Mr Murray said Twentieth Century German Expressionism was the inspiration for the second series of works.
“Students were tasked with creating semi realistic self-portraits that encompassed creating texture on the canvas prior to painting their portraits,” he said.
“They were required to contemplate and express the experience of life during the first and second world wars,” Mr Murray said.
Ms Gammie said the artwork was available for anyone to come and see.
