Monash Memo - 1 August 2001

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Drawing out expertise

The simplicity and beauty of drawing as a visual art was celebrated at the launch of a new exhibition at Monash's Faculty of Art and Design this week.

Simply titled Drawing, the exhibition features the work of current students from different disciplines within the faculty and of selected alumni, including artists Maria Zeiss and Peter Bonner.

About 250 people, including members of Melbourne's arts scene, alumni, current students and the public, attended the launch.

Also at the opening was Ms Kirsty Grant, curator of Prints and Drawing at the National Gallery of Victoria, who said it was "wonderful" to see the support for drawing and commented on the excellence of the work produced within the faculty.

Set against a background of renewed interest in drawing, in a world of ever-increasing mediums and technologies,

Drawing includes works made with graphite and colour pencils, charcoal, water colours and a range of collage and photo media materials.

The exhibition organisers and coordinators of Monash's Drawing department, Mr Geoff Dupree and Mr Ken Smith, said artists and students were again attracted to drawing for "its simple technology and its ability to directly and selectively encompass a wide range of ideas and experiences".

"We are fostering the renewed interest in drawing by developing programs that combine the liveliest elements of tradition with contemporary thought," they said.

"In the development of our drawing programs, and reflected in this exhibition, is our aim of helping students to see and think, making drawing an essential component of all art and design studies."

The exhibition, which is being held at the Faculty of Art and Design Gallery at Caulfield campus, runs until 18 August.