NGV takes students from classroom to catwalk

Jean Paul Gaultier workshops and summer classes at NGV will encourage students to study fashion through an artistic lens.
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The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk. Image courtesy of NGV.

Always one to put its best fashion foot forward, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) will be hosting a series of  fashion and art inspired education sessions this Melbourne summer heading into the new year.

In collaboration with the current exhibition The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk, student programs for primary and secondary students will explore the world of the irreverent designer, drawing inspiration and self-identify in their own design.

Gina Panebianco, Head of Education at NGV said that the JPG exhibition will give students insight and inspiration for where contemporary artists and designers get their ideas.

‘Looking at art and fashion and this idea of expressing yourself, we are really looking for people to develop the skill of observation, thinking about what you’re looking at from a critical perspective,’ said Panebianco. ‘Looking at where the inspiration and influences has come from, understanding the process of how it’s been made and being able to apply what you learn through a lateral and open ended approach to what you’re looking at.’

Student programs include a Jean Paul Gaultier express talk, an illustrated, interactive talk exploring creative connections between art and fashion in the exhibition The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier, as well as workshops on Jean Paul Gaultier themes and inspiration, the T-shirt workshop ,the cape, the collar or the corset workshop and Art and Fashion – connections, traditions and innovations and Jean Paul Gaultier intensive.

‘The exhibition has a range of interesting themes that bring together different processes, techniques, materials and inspiration that would be very relevant for the VCE study designs or for students looking at popular culture as well as the notion of identity,’ said Panebianco.

Summer school session for 2015 of current collection and exhibitions will include The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier, David Shrigley: Life and LifeDrawing, Emily Floyd: The Dawn and Robert Jacks: Order and Variation and Express Yourself: Romance Was Born for Kids, which will include practical art-making workshops led by artists,designers and educators.

Ranging from students aged between upper primary through to VCE level, Panebianco said that the workshops are for anyone interested in self-expression either through fashion, image or appearance.

‘There is something there for every student. Certainly students interested in exploring the world around them today will find these exhibitions and particularly JPG very interesting,’ said Panebianco.

Presenters include NGV curators and fashion industry experts. Students are allowed behind-the-scenes insights into the exhibition and NGV Education studio exploring practical design processes and skills for developing folio work.

NGV Student Programs
17 October 2014 – 8 February 2015

Jean Paul Gaultier express talk
Jean Paul Gaultier themes and inspiration
The T-shirt workshop (1 hr)
The cape, the collar or the corset workshop (2 hrs)
Art and fashion – connections, traditions and innovations

Jean Paul Gaultier intensive
9 & 10 December, 10am– 4pm

2015 Summer School for students
21– 23 January 2015, 10am– 4pm

Student night
Years 10 –12 and Higher Education
4 February 2015, 6–9pm

The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier – a teaching and learning resource
Fri 31 October, 12–5 pm

2015 Summer School for teachers
14– 17 January 2015

For more information visit National Gallery of Victoria.