A strong commitment to the Visual Arts goes hand in hand with a civilised community.
Through art we can see the world through the lens of others, gaining new perspectives and ideas. We can develop a deeper understanding of shape, colour and form. Art can be challenging and confronting. It can make us feel, empathise and think. Moreover, through art, we celebrate the unique capacity of humans to be creative.
Some of the most barbaric human acts have occurred at times and in countries where freedom of expression and artistic endeavour was or is denied, let alone celebrated or encouraged. We think of Hitler’s campaign to purge modern art – which he deemed to be “degenerate” – from Germany’s culture during his reign over unspeakable genocide. Hitler is not alone. We also think of Pol Pot in Cambodia, the Taliban in Afghanistan, ISIS and, even now in 2024, the many countries that censor art and artists.
Contrast that with the ways in which our culture has benefited from the vibrancy and storytelling inherent within Australian Indigenous art, which stretches back more than 60,000 years.
Humankind is so much richer due to the artworks created in Ancient Rome, throughout the Renaissance, during the Impressionist and Cubist art movements, through to the contemporary art we enjoy today.
Design also has an impact on our engagement with the artistic form. Look at the familiar objects that are now classics. This might be an Alessi kettle, mid-20th century Danish furniture, the VW Beetle or a Hermès handbag.
Consider some great and famous cities of the world such as Florence, Paris, New York, London, Barcelona, Los Angeles, Shanghai, Cairo, Rome, and Melbourne. The great Art galleries, museums, gardens, public spaces and buildings in these cities have all been built and designed with great artistic merit coming before anything else including, in most cases, budget.
To be a great artist requires bravery. You cannot replicate what others think or tell you, although Andy Warhol became famous for challenging the notion of mass-produced art. Sometimes bravery will not be repaid for many years to come. Vincent Van Gogh died heartbroken, penniless and unaware of the recognition he would receive. Jorn Utzon, the designer of the Sydney Opera House was sacked, left Australia before the Sydney Opera House was completed and never returned to see his work before he died.
Despite the sadness in the personal lives of Van Gogh and Utzon, they have left the world in a better place for their great works of art.
Designers of great works of public art have to be brave for they receive adoration and criticism; think of the modern Cubes in front of the Louvre in Paris, Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia or the recently opened $2.3billion Sphere in Las Vegas. Closer to home we have Federation Square, the ‘Yellow Peril’ (Vault by Ron Robertson-Swann) as well as the ‘matchsticks’, ‘egg’ and ‘rib cage’ on City Link. At Melbourne Grammar in 2023 we unveiled the third addition to our Sculpture Walk – Lisa Roet’s Ape Right Hand.
Many of our great artists have had to leave Australia to seek further study, recognition and reward. This includes Sydney Nolan and Fred Williams. We feel proud that just like our sporting stars, businesspeople, and entrepreneurs, Australia can mix it amongst the world’s best in the field of Visual Arts.
We celebrate those students who pursue careers in the Arts. We recognise that it can be difficult to make a decent living from art, but many do. We know that for every Picasso, there are many who never make it, but I encourage our students to follow their passion.
For those who do not follow an artistic career, I trust that, through their Melbourne Grammar education, they will continue to appreciate the beauty and everyday value of art and bring an artist’s perspective in their lives as parents, partners and in their careers and community work.
Philip Grutzner
Headmaster
