Resolute, the Charles Sturt University Photography graduate show, and ACO VIRTUAL, from the Australian Chamber Orchestra, both close next Sunday – so don’t miss out.

Resolute showcases the next exciting generation of Australian photographers, in the seventh graduation exhibition by students from the Bachelor of Arts (Photography) degree at the Wagga campus of CSU.

Artists participating in Resolute include Erin Archer, Bodean Ball, Evie Feehan, Kathryne Greenwood, Chris Grundy, Jennifer Hesketh, Jacinta Mayne, Georgia McLeod, Tyhe Reading, Lisa Tobin and Elly Whiley.

James Holcombe, Course Coordinator of the BA (Photography) degree, says of the artists exhibiting in Resolute, “These students each share a passion for the photographic medium, but where that passion takes them will be an individual journey based on how they interpret the medium and how they apply their skills. Some have ambitions in the fine arts, and others have more commercial aspirations, but there is something linking them all together in a vast array of professional practice, and that is creativity.”

Fusing digital technologies with visual and sonic innovation, the ground-breaking interactive installation of ACO VIRTUAL allows the audience to conduct and even play with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Audiences can see the players’ lightning-quick hands in a way not possible in a concert hall, hear the unique sounds of the ACO’s multi-million-dollar collection of instruments and feel the rush of being immersed in this interactive installation.

Built by Sydney digital media production company Mod Productions, ACO VIRTUAL uses state-of-the-art video technology and features projections of the ACO’s acclaimed musicians. Audiences are surrounded, with the sound of each musician coming from the direction of their individual projections.

A touch-screen “music stand” allows users to spotlight and listen to one musician, a section of instruments or their desired selection of players. Audiences essentially step ‘inside’ a concert and are immersed in a cinematic experience, surrounded by the musicians and manipulating what they hear and see.

The work runs for 30 minutes and comprises music by Bach, Grieg, Smalley and Piazzolla, designed to maximise the opportunity for audience participation.

It delivers a unique and inspiring learning environment, giving people the opportunity to engage with – and learn from – world-class musicians they would not ordinarily have the chance to see performing on stage.

Currently on show in the main gallery, Arthur Boyd: An Active Witness is a truly inspiring exhibition that offers insights into how one of Australia’s greatest artists dealt with the social responsibility that defines humanity.

This is the first major exhibition to consider the social consciousness that infused Arthur Boyd’s life and to link his political concerns with his art work.

Arthur Boyd: An Active Witness brings together paintings, prints, ceramics and other materials from the Bundanon Trust Collection alongside works by Boyd’s contemporaries, and is supported by loans from public and private collections, photographs and other documents.

The exhibition positions Boyd as a critical yet empathetic witness engaged with the urgent issues of his time, issues which remain salient for audiences today.

Highlighted are enduring Boyd subject matters reflecting the ethical paradoxes faced by individuals and humanity, outsider figures and the power of groups and individuals, the futility and violence of war and the beauty, vulnerability and savagery of nature.

Constant presences in Boyd’s imagery are the metamorphosis between human and animal figures and landscapes experienced and remembered.

Arthur Boyd wrestled with the burden of the artist’s role as “an active witness” in his work, but ultimately triumphed in his generous act of philanthropy – gifting his collection and Bundanon properties to the Australian people, saying, “I want it to be accessible to any Australian whose life can be enriched by the beauty, the history, the landscape, the environment and by the energy and stimulation from social interaction with Australian creative artists.”

Fused: a journey from artists in the National Art Glass Collection celebrates the rich migration stories of professional art glass workers who migrated to Australia.

Featuring works from the gallery’s own internationally renowned National Art Glass Collection, Fused highlights the wealth of expertise and culture these skilled migrants brought with them, and the essential part they have played in the development of studio art glass practice in this country.

Each week for the duration of this spectacular exhibition, we will be featuring one of the wonderful artists whose work is included in the exhibition.

Today it is Ivan Polak who fled to this country escaping persecution.

Feature artist: Ivan Polak

Cultural background: Both of my parents were from Slovakia (formerly Czechoslovakia)

Place of origin: Bratislava, Slovakia

Start of migration journey: Belgium, Germany - 1980

Place of arrival in Australia: Adelaide, South Australia - 1980

First home in Australia: Adelaide, South Australia - 1980

First job in Australia: 1980 - The Jam Factory, Centre for Craft and Design – Adelaide, South Australia

Other jobs in Australia: Keith Rowe Studio, Glebe - NSW

Any glass related objects that were brought over? Because I had to escape my home due to the Communist invasion I could not take anything with me

For more on Ivan Polak story please visit www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/art-gallery/exhibitions/exhibitions-2014 or come in and read his story within the exhibition.

Main gallery

Arthur Boyd: An Active Witness - until November 30

Links Gallery

Resolute: CSU BA Photography - until November 23

National Art Glass Gallery

Fused: A journey from artists in the National Art Glass Collection - until March 8, 2015

Margaret Carnegie Gallery

ACO: Virtual - until November 23

E3 art space

Operation Art - until November 23

Launch: Operation Art

When: Thursday, November 20, 4pm – 5.30pm

Where: E3 art space, Wagga Art Gallery

Cost: Free event

Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 4pm

Sunday 10am – 2pm

Closed Mondays

Wagga Art Gallery is a cultural facility of Wagga City Council