Sculpture, photography CAPTIVATE students' imagination

The CAPTIVATE Visual Arts team enjoyed an engaging final term with students from throughout the Parramatta Diocese, running two special Arts Factor workshops focussing on sculpture and photography.

Students interested in sculpture came together at CathWest Innovation College and got to meet and learn from talented sculpture artist Taylan Varol. Taylan helped students create oversized tools and equipment that represent the courses on offer at CathWest. Items included a giant camera, hairdryer, drill, measuring tape, stethoscope, headphones and a sandwich.

The students, from Nagle College Blacktown, CathWest, St Columba's Catholic College Springwood, Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown, Bede Polding College South Windsor, St Agnes Catholic High School Rooty Hill, St Luke's Catholic College Marsden Park and Penola Catholic College Emu Plains, took part in the workshop which was inspired by the work of Claes Oldenburg, a pop artist who made large scale works that he displayed in busy public spaces.

Over the two days, students used a range of materials including pool noodles and expander foam to create these fun and engaging works. The sculptures will feature as a permanent exhibition at CathWest early in the New Year.

CAPTIVATE also ran a two day analogue photography workshop with Sydney Morning Herald photographer Wolter Peeters.

Students learnt how to use a 35mm and medium format camera and also how to load film and the perils of only having 12 shots on a roll of film. Students struggled with the fact that they could not see their images instantly and would have to wait for the second day to develop their films.

The group, which included students from Patrician Brothers’, St Agnes, Santa Sophia Catholic College Gables, Cerdon College Merrylands, Parramatta Marist High School, Catherine McAuley Westmead, St John Paul II Catholic College Schofields & Nirimba, CathWest and St John XXIII Catholic College Stanhope Gardens, visited the Female Factory in North Parramatta where students explored architecture. The second stop was a special laneway behind Church Street where the focus was portraiture using some of the street art that was created for the Parramatta Lanes festival.

Students got to utilise a fully functioning darkroom at Delany College Granville where they learnt how to develop film using Patterson tanks in pitch black conditions. They then moved on to making proof sheets of their negatives.

Written By

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au

01 Jul 2025
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