Visual Diary
Contemporary Art Practice — Sem 1 2026 · 7 March → 13 May
7 March · Studio
Wax & Urs Fischer↗
11 March · Tutorial — Sharon
Focus in thangka↗
18 March · Tutorial — Corinna
Comfort in wax↗
Wax as sculpture; bronze/lost-wax casting at Meridian; the tension of the breaking wick.
“Wax feels smooth… but also it feels like it can break.”
“What happens to trapped wax?”
25 March · Class
Truth and agency↗
On critique, the agency an object has, and the idea of a written “companion” to the work.
“Whatever agency an object does have. Truth and agency. So what is this truth, and what is this agency?”
“Open-ended questions, compelling to live with.”
1 April · Group Critique 1
Interrupted↗
On interruption and pressure, and whether an artist can be their own critic.
“I interrupt myself all the time… breathe… breathe… Not the biggest fan of feeling pressure — anyway… breathe.”
“Can an artist be their own critic? I have no idea.”
15 April · Mid-semester review
Break the wax↗
Experiments with the wax, and light as a material.
“① break my wax ② undo the large thread ③ practice — and write a critical essay “without cancelling my own work”.”
“Changing spotlights would be cool… play with shadows.”
29 April · Group Critique 2
My piece, critiqued↗
The class’s critique of my wax + wire piece — objective / subjective / questions — and how it felt.
“They called it “another form of drawing” — and that felt like being seen.”
“People said “ugly” / “disgusting” — I found that powerful; it relates to the wrathful deity.”
6 May · Studio
What is my artwork about?↗
Planning the critical companion essay, and researching how critics write (Memo Review, un Magazine, Tara Heffernan).
“A critical piece (like an essay) on my own space — and maybe shorten it for the exhibition.”
“Method: ~200 words objective + ~200 words subjective.”
13 May · Group Critique 3 — external assessor
Scribble in space↗
Drawing and sculpture as the same gesture; figuring out the joints; the website as the way to present the portfolio.
“Hosting a website is a good idea. Represent… a portfolio… in an assessment.”
“What’s the value of art? → movement / reflection.”