Report on excursion to the Asian Galleries
excerpted from Hi Ho, the montly newsletter of Sydney Girls High School September 2004

Included in this Hi Ho are the 'star' calligraphers in Year 9 Visual Arts. The girls participated in a short calligraphy workshop with a Chinese artist at the Art Gallery of NSW and visited the Biennale and Celestial Silks exhibitions. Congratulations to all the girls - they were all successful- and especially our 'stars' Shannon Longhurst and Jiesi Gu who received the most small circles for their beautifully formed lines. Irene Stansmore, HT Visual Arts

Art Gallery of NSW Excursion
On August 12 we went to the Art Gallery of NSW to view Asian Art. At the gallery we were taught how to do Chinese calligraphy, the beautiful art of Chinese writing. We learnt about the history of ancient calligraphy and how it carefully progressed over thousands of years. Then we were given the opportunity to actually try it out ourselves - which was fun and interesting. The artworks in the exhibition ranged from ceramic works to Chinese hanging scrolls and landscape paintings. One highlight of the art gallery was the Celestial Silks exhibition which featured over 70 religious and court textiles made in China for use at the Imperial Court or as temple offerings in China  or Tibet. We were able to view delicately designed dragon robes worn by emperors and exquisite Tibetan monastery textiles as well as jewelled ceremonial hats and a display of rare festival badges. The Asian Art exhibition gave us the opportunity to view the spectacular arts of Asia and, all in all, was a wonderful experience.
Jiesi Gu, Year 9 Visual Arts
 

Calligraphy Workshop, Art Gallery of NSW
Press...lift…press...slide....lift…press…flick. That was the quiet murmur of sound you would have heard had you walked past the Year 9 art class recently as they took part SGHS Monthly Bulletin 8 Hi Ho September 2004 in a Calligraphy workshop with a Chinese artist. Now you may be thinking that Year 9 art has gone completely mad, however, the strange words we were all muttering to ourselves was simply the steps of a simple line. Yes, that's right each line has 7 steps. I agree it seems a lot for a simple line however even following our 7 simple steps we still managed to all do at least one line completely wrong. Calligraphy is not as easy as it looks. You have to sit with a straight back, have a steady hand and inner calm (something none of Year 9 seemed to have in them). I know you may not think so but making ink by grinding on a slab and adding water is truly exciting, as is the first time you press your brush to paper. The workshop was fantastic and enjoyed by all.
Shannon Longhurst, Year 9