Honours for SCA's 30th

The University has awarded its first honorary Doctor of Visual Arts degrees to four distinguished artists who were significant figures in Sydney College of the Arts's founding years.

With the dean of SCA, Colin Rhodes (centre) are (from left) Guy Warren, Jim Allen, Darani Lewers and Helge Larsen.

William Robert (Jim) Allen, Guy Wilkie Warren, Helge Larsen and Darani Lewers were all honoured for their creative achievements in the visual arts, as well as their service to education at SCA.

The awards were presented in the University's Great Hall last Friday 13 April at the SCA graduation ceremony that marks the 30^th anniversary of the inauguration of the art college's visual arts program.

Professor Jim Allen - who was founding head of SCA from 1977 to 1987 - was a pioneer of post object art in New Zealand in the 1970s and is widely regarded as the most influential art educator of his generation both in New Zealand and Australia.

Ring by Larsen and Lewers

Helge Larsen and Darani Lewers were awarded the honorary degree jointly in recognition of their remarkable collaborative partnership, spanning 45 years, as practitioners in the forefront of contemporary jewellery.

Associate Professor Larsen's long and distinguished teaching career at SCA began in 1977 and encompassed positions of senior management, including Acting Director of the college and Head of the School of Visual Arts.

As well as for her practice, Ms Lewers - who chaired the Crafts Board of the Australia Council from 1976 to 1980 - was honoured for her leading role as public advocate for contemporary Australian craft.

Senior Australian artist Guy Warren was recognised for his outstanding creative achievements in the visual arts, his standing in his professional field and in acknowledgement of his founding role as an educator at SCA where he was Principal Lecturer and Foundation Head of the Painting Department from 1976 to 1985.

Media enquiries: Jennifer Roseman, phone 9351 1016, email J.Roseman@sca.usyd.edu.au.