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Nick Stranks at work Perforate 11, Series 2005 (Stainless Steel) Hot Metal, Cool Art: Former Wesley Student Casts An Art Career In Bronze

Since finishing Year 12 at Wesley in 1984, Nick Stranks has International Airport. I've recently finished a carved out a career in and is now sought after for commission for the Department of Foreign Affairs and the his skills in casting fine art bronze works for some of Spanish Embassy". Nick is currently working on a sculpture 's leading artists. weighing over two tonnes for artist. Ante Dabro, to be placed While he was at Wesley, Nick Stranks' two passions were in the Canberra CBD, It is due to be installed in the middle of rowing and art. Leaving for Canberra in 1985 to pursue both, 2007, He also regulady works with institutions such as the he gained a place in the visual arts degree program at the National Gallery of Australia and the Australian War Memorial Australian National University (ANU) School of Art and as a technical consultant. quickly realised that rowing would have to take second place! He successfully completed the four-year degree and In his spare time, Nick works on his own sculpture practice, was awarded the prestigious, national Walkers' Award for "My work is a combination of cast elements and mixed media ceramics for his graduating work at the end of 1988, . I have a number of sculptures currently in a show Nick returned to Melbourne in 1989 and worked at the at Defiance Gallery in Sydney, and I regulady exhibit both in Mehdian Sculpture Foundry in Fitzroy, He reflects, "This Canberra and Sydney." bronze casting experience changed the direction of my life forever I worked alongside some of the best fine arts foundry "My artistic career was spurred on by my early years at men in Australia and on work for major artists with huge Wesley, particularly by my art teacher Graham McKenzie, international profiles." This expehence cemented Nick's and the visiting artist program. I learnt to be practical, to ask commitment to building a career in the visual arts. questions and to be involved and learn from those around He returned to Canberra to work as the technician in the me, I learnt that if we are generous with our knowledge we ANU School of Art's Glass Workshop. His work in the highly then can, in turn, learn from others," Nick is always happy to specialised fine art glass studio, combined with further show any current or past Wesley students through the ANU studies in the conservation of art works, broadened Nick's knowledge of sculptural media. Sculpture Workshop and Foundry. "And if you come by on a Tuesday I am more than likely casting ... always an exciting For the past 13 years, Nick has worked as Technical Officer time." If any Wesley students are interested in undertaking and Foundry Manager in the Sculpture Workshop at ANU. "We have a number of large works in the Australian National work experience in the Foundry, Nick would be happy to talk Gallery, the ANU, The University of Canberra, and the with them about the possibilities.

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