Monash Scholarship in the bag for Yasmin Yusuf Les!

We are proud to announce (a bit belatedly), that Monash University Art, Design & Architecture has awarded a full $4000.00 Visual Communication scholarship to ex NCAT student Yasmin Yusuf Les! Yasmin is an incredibly focussed and dedicated artist/designer, whose toughest challenge with us last year was deciding which career path to choose. A deeply conceptual thinker, Yasmin's work encompasses both Fine art and Design which was why she chose Monash's Design program, renowned for encouraging fine art hand skills alongside design aesthetics.

The Monash scholarship was set up last year for students from NCAT Folio Preparation applying to the Bachelor Of Design (Visual Communication) at Monash's Caulfield campus. This year the scholarship will be broadened to include applicants in Interior Architecture and  Fine Art Bachelor courses. Monash's Gene Bawden explains:


"Monash has a long and successful relationship with NCAT, based on a mutual regard for creative enquiry, conceptual strength and the value of good design. They produce adventurous creative thinkers whose abilities we gratefully inherit. The union of NCAT and Monash has resulted in a group of industry-ready professionals, working in studios across Melbourne and internationally. A number have also gone on to postgraduate study, completing Honours and Masters degrees, and some have established their own studios.

Monash has recently established an Art Design & Architecture scholarship program with NCAT; only one of two in existence for this type of program in the faculty. Our decision to establish this award speaks volumes of our regard for NCAT; its exceedingly talented staff; and its creative, independent and enquiring body of students".

- Gene Bawden, Deputy Head, Design (Communication Design)

Monash University, Faculty of Art Design & Architecture

Yasmin @ NCAT 2011

Excerpts from an interview with Yasmin 2012

When did you first realise you were interested in design?

Well, I've always had an interest in Design and Art when I was just a little one. So, I guess I would have to say it was the second I could pick up a pencil.

Why did you choose to study design at NCAT?

I remember hearing about NCAT while I was in high school and thought it was a good pathway to choose. It was well renowned for helping individuals find their creative pathways.

Who was your greatest influence at NCAT?

Bah! I really do not want an angry mob at my front door today. Haha. Honestly, they were all great influences but, there are my top three: Ian, Trace and Bei. Ian always kept me on track, made sure I never strayed too far and gave me extra assignments just to keep me preoccupied. There was never a boring moment with him. That and he has an ever-so-lovely beard. Trace is just bloody amazing at drawing. Having her drawing next to me made me die a little every time. But having such a talented mentor just forced me to try so much harder. I have to say that it's thanks to Trace I can actually draw large-scale pieces now. Bei has to be one of the most harshest critics out of the bunch. I don't think there was ever a Monday where I didn't want to face plant my desk. Though, it's through her copious amounts of constructive criticism that I payed closer attention to the finer details of design and deeply contemplated the development of my final prototypes. 

What were the classes like?

The classes were always great. Everyone was open-minded and relaxed. Sure, everyone had their off days but you always felt better at the end of the day just from being there. Well, if I didn't feel better, I'd usually hunt down Sue and tackle hug her. Haha.

What art & design areas did you study?

I focused on Illustration, Graphic Design and Fine Art. It was awesome to have such diversity and explore varying fields. 

What do you remember most about your time at NCAT?

All the good moments. NCAT was just a great experience in general. Not only did they help me creatively but I met some amazing people there.

How did your portfolio look on graduation?

It was pretty? Haha. But really, I thought it looked really good. I had a range of work from 3-D to Artist Books to hand generated imagery to digital prints. The University that I had an interview with thought it was great. We actually ran slightly overtime because they wanted to look at everything. It was a nice feeling.

How did your portfolio help you in further education / training?

Well, it got me into my first preference, Monash University - Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)… not to mention the scholarship!

How do you plan to use your scholarship money?

It is going to fund my art & design materials which can be quite expensive. It will make a huge difference for me, helping with travel expenses (Il I've in Melbourne's north) and day to day living expenses.

Visions for the future?

Hopefully in the near future, I will get an internship at a design firm. I'm currently in the process of putting a small portfolio together.

You can find Yasmin's portfolio on her gorgeous blog: www.yasminyles.blogspot.com

All images © Copyright Yasmin Yusuf Les 2012

Minela Krupic, ex NCAT student, wins Heartlands Refugee Fine Art Prize

Congratulations to ex NCAT Folio Preparation student Minela Krupic, who has just won the Heartlands Refugee Fine Art Prize for 2012 with an extraordinary artwork KOLEKCIJA (Below). Her artwork is made up of a series of images which highlight the Bosnian refugee's 1997 escape from her war-torn homeland. Minela who after doing the NCAT Folio Preparation course in 2002, went on to study Fine Art painting at RMIT and then Fine Art Printmaking at VCA , is now a regularly exhibiting fine artist. 

Following on from an acclaimed second year, Multicultural Arts Victoria and AMES have again collaborated on the Heartlands Refugee Fine Art Prize 2012. The Prize celebrates the contribution of refugee artists who have arrived in Australia since 1970. This unique Art Prize showcases the creative talent and social contribution of visual artists from a refugee background.

Minela has won $5000 for First Prize (including a solo exhibition and short-term Artist in Residence!). Her winning work was exhibited along with the other short-listed works from 6 - 16 June at fortyfivedownstairs (Flinders Lane, Melbourne), and from 5 - 28 July at Walker Street Gallery in Dandenong.   

Entries in the competition were to reflect and express the theme: "Heartlands; the aspirations, hopes and dreams that refugees bring with them to Australia". Distinguished members of the Australian arts sector formed the panel of judges, who included Jane Clark, Research Curator at the Museum of Old and New Art, Tasmania, Elena Taylor, Curator of Australian Art at the National Gallery of Victoria, Jill Morgan, Executive Officer at Multicultural Arts Victoria, and Damian Smith, curator and arts writer and Director of Words For Art, Melbourne.

“We’re very excited to have such vibrant and well‐respected experts involved with the prize to help recognise the skills, talents and creativity that refugees bring to Victoria, and the social and cultural contributions they provide to our community,” 

- Adam Baxter - Communications and Stakeholder Relations Manager at AMES 

Heartlands is part of the Multicultural Arts Victoria’s Emerge Festival from 1 June – 31 July, across Victoria. Emerge will showcase the contribution emerging and refugee communities are having on contemporary arts and culture www.multiculturalarts.com.au AMES and Multicultural Arts Victoria acknowledge the Sidney Myer Fund for their generous contribution to the Heartlands Refugee Fine Art Prize 2012. Their contribution will ensure that refugee artists will be given opportunities to contribute to the social, economic and cultural fabric of Victoria. The Sidney Myer Fund’s mission is to build a fair, just, creative, sustainable and caring society through initiatives that promote positive changes in Australia.
See the other shortlisted works at Multicultural Arts Victoria facebook page. Thanks for information from Multi Cultural Arts Victoria website press release.