Sydney College of the Arts alumni selected for Dobell Drawing Prize
Sydney artist and Sydney College of the Arts (SCA) alumni Amy Dynan has been selected as a finalist in the Dobell Drawing Prize for her work Poppies Stillness in Movement.
Dynan, an established artist who regularly exhibits, has been recognised for her innovation and technical skill and dynamic approach to drawing.
Following a tree-change to Wagga Wagga in 2012 Amy pursued her love of drawing and held her first exhibition, an experience which gave her the push to take things further.
Upon returning to Sydney, Dynan pursued a Master of Contemporary Art and Master of Fine Arts at SCA. She chose to study at the SCA in order to develop the conceptual undercurrent of her practice.
“As a visual artist, research and it’s varying methodologies offers a deeper, more profound connection to the significance of one’s own art practice in a field beyond the studio. I knew that the calibre of the teaching at SCA, combined with rigorous institutional scrutiny and support would provide the necessary framework to further my aesthetic,” said Amy.
Chair of Department and Director of the SCA Andrew Lavery said Dynan’s selection is an outstanding achievement.
As a graduate of Sydney College of the Arts at the University of Sydney, one of Australia’s leading research led art schools, Amy’s works demonstrate a nuanced balance between conceptual rigour and classical drawing skills. Her research into the allegorical potency of nature in her reflections of the everyday, sets her apart from artists who have not researched and synthesised the context of their work in such detail
Dynan sees drawing as a fundamental means of expression that is often overlooked as a preparatory stage in lieu of master artworks and hopes to continue to contribute to contemporary drawing.
“In my belief, it is the most intuitive stage of the creative process and I want to continue to bring awareness to drawing as the veritable art form that it is. My charcoal drawing practice merges photorealism with abstract sensibilities and explores the beauty of being alive.”
As a finalist in the Dobell Drawing Prize Dynan says: “It solidifies my devotion to drawing and drives me to work harder. When I was a little girl I visited the Dobell Prize at the Art Gallery NSW and stood amongst the works of the Australian artists I most admired. I thought, if I’m ever lucky enough to share their wall space then I will be humbled beyond belief.”
The winner will be announced on Wednesday 27 March.
About Sydney College of the Arts
Over more than forty years, including its twenty-five-year history at The University of Sydney, SCA has become a leading centre for education and research in the visual arts in the Asia Pacific region.
It has a sustained track record of producing Australia’s most influential contemporary artists, filmmakers and designers. Alumni include: Jane Campion, Ben Quilty, Rosemary Liang, Shaun Gladwell, Mikala Dwyer and Marc Newson.
In 2020, SCA will relocate all of its disciplines and its gallery to a state-of-the-art facility at Old Teachers College at The University of Sydney’s main campus, which has been designed by renowned architects ARM. This will make Sydney the only Go8 university in New South Wales with an art school located within its main campus.
The relocation will boost the quality and student experience of its existing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and the new and highly successful combined degree of Bachelor of Visual Arts and Bachelor of Advanced Studies.
Not only will students benefit from 24-hour access to this extraordinary new facility, they will gain immediate access to the disciplinary breadth and research centres of main campus, the inner west creative community and the city.