Katelyn Midgely-Vidler
What Lies Behind (2017)
Photography
As an intelligent species, we create
memories through our existence. As we move forward our mind flicks back to
memories linked within the landscape or with the object. What lies behind us,
helps us interpret our new experiences and create our identity.
Jazzy Houston & Alicia Mc Carthy
Pupae (2017)
Plaster Bandage
Pupae is the life stage of some insects
undergoing transformation, which relates to the way we transform as people.
Over time we learn to grow and escape the enclosure.
Julian Sunde
Compromise
Photographic Paper
Compromise (Series) looks to comment on the state of
privacy and security in the digital age. Through each of the four works, the
excessive data collection and fragile security of the digital world are exposed
to viewers – revealing just how much many unwittingly share both online and
with various ‘secure’ companies. Identity Key and About focus on data
collection by Google and Facebook respectively – these works aim to expose the
myth of digital privacy, as all the information they share on the internet is
seen by countless others who may have malicious intentions. Identities
Compromised and Compromise[d] instead focus on the instability of internet
security; highlighting that a user can never truly be safe sharing data on the
internet, as a result of hackers beating the security of many large
corporations so as to steal user data and their identities. This is seen best
in the ‘shattering’ of the pixelated profile pictures shown in Compromise[d].
Lucinda Karikari
‘A Thought’
Cartridge Paper, Ink and Pen.
The artwork, titled ‘A Thought’ is a series of comic
strips (11 strips) each with four frames. Each comic was annotated with text
boxes on either side of them. The comic told the story of the unnamed
protagonist, who we see drifts into an existential crisis. From this crisis,
the character reflects on his own life and comes to understand his own meaning
of life. The title comes about because of the reoccurring use of the words “the
thought” for example, “the thought haunts you… the thought consumes you.” Part
of the work emphasises the notion that a crisis can occur because of something
very small – in this case, a single thought – and can cause a certain butterfly
effect. The making of this piece was done so with fine ink and watercolour on
paper. Inspiration artists for this include Katie Parrish, who is an exhibition
artist known for comic-style cartoon artworks. Not only this, but I wanted to
incorporate a drawing method that I thoroughly enjoy. The style of this was developed
in my visual diary as I developed a single character who was then made the main
subject of my art. The overarching idea that I tried to convey was although we
are very small in the universe and our lives are very short, ruminating on this
idea that nothing matters and nothing will ever matter, while sadly true, will
get us nowhere. We try so hard to find meaning in things that sometimes we look
to broadly at ourselves. We zoom out on our own lives. We think about how small
we are in our city, then how small our city is in comparison to the continent.
Eventually, we expand so far that all we are able to see is a small dot (Earth)
floating around an ever-expanding void. And this thought, while accurate, is
the worst way to look at life. If, however, you zoom back in to your continent,
to your city, and to your home, you find all these things that have meaning to
you. You have your pets or your car or your husband or this new Xbox that you
were so excited to get and you finally got it. Even little things like this can
have so much meaning to someone, so why would you want to look at things any
other way? If you have a choice to enjoy the things you love, how is it not
better than the idea that nothing matters?
Lani Clem Esp-Morse
‘The Swarm
Inside’
Photographic set-up and Photoshop editing (Nikon +
extreme focus lens, two automated flashes varying strengths, dampener
umbrellas, cardboard blockers, props, models)
The explicit meaning of my art is the way in which
anxiety, depression or other mental illnesses infest lives, making everyday
tasks heavy and seemingly confronting.
Main use of symbolism is represented through
visualisation of anxiety and depression as bees. Use of bees swarming is
confronting, displays imminent danger that creates shock, whilst also showing
the overwhelming sense of mental health problems. Bees are an accurate
visualisation as vicious, violent thoughts that are intrusive and eventually
dangerous to a person’s mental health. The ‘swarm’ is a good metaphor for
masses of intrusive thoughts as well as the pain they cause. All photos in the
series also present implicit symbolism representing danger, overwhelming
sensations, dramatization of events often caused by anxiety and the awkwardness
of everyday life when carrying a mental burden. The photo series also follows
the story of the development of the bees, from their origins going unnoticed by
family and friends (#1), to becoming apparent during tasks such as musical
performances, that were previously manageable and something enjoyed by the
subject (#2). Left supressed or not confronted, the swarm make their way into
every aspect of daily life including work or study (#3) until the subject is
left overrun and powerless to the ‘swarm’ (#4).
Inspiration and irony used in my photos is the very
highly influenced Vanitas or religious portrait style posing of subjects within
the works. This use of explicit halo-style lighting creates the effect of a
subject being the main focus of the works, whilst also taking a jab at
religious and historical works for neglecting mental illness and the real human
condition. The photos are very narrative in nature and provide an in-depth
method of storytelling influenced by the likes of Gregory Crewdson or Juno
Calypso.
Ashleigh Lewis
“Beauty and Creation”
Acrylic on canvas
As an artist, I really want to make a
difference in the world, whether big or small, a difference and a change is
what I am aiming for. The perspective of work is from a caregiver, or a
mothering figure perspective. From this role, I want to show and exploit my
perspectives on conservation.
The meaning behind my artwork “Beauty
and Creation” originally was to make people see the negative effects happening
to the earth, those that cause death and destruction in nature. Looking at
environmentalist and other artists work, I soon developed into a broader
message. We cannot stop this destruction until we first gather an appreciation
for it. This message being that we should all find nature as a place of beauty
and peace, we need to stop harming the only place we should feel free to breath
in and feel okay. Nature is a place of personal grounding and we as a
civilisation, are destroying it.
I chose to focus on this theme because
of its significance in my life now, things have been up and down, nature has
been the one place where I could go to and stop, think, clam down and recharge
myself. My idea is that by creating abstract pieces of art, depicting nature in
my eyes that I can show the world just how beautiful it truly is. My art works
a diptych, one side consisting of mainly blues and whites, the other mainly
black and white with the hint of green. Its structures on the canvas are
abstract with small details throughout the entire flow of the artwork.
My passion for nature and its survival
inspires my works. The overall inspiration for my images are the sky, the
ocean, the forests and the icy planes, I have gained inspiration from them and
their strength as elements of the earth.
Milli McAndrew
"Transitory"
Mixed media on paper
"Transitory"
Mixed media on paper
My artwork is all about capturing my
time in adolescence.
Mutilating the womanly features of my
body in an intertwining naturistic image whilst creating a background that
ruminates on my vivid and colourful childhood, my artwork, Transitory, connects
with both my younger self, and my feelings as a young woman in this weird and
overwhelming transitionary period.
The otherworldly form of the figures
body’s depicts a mutation that expresses how my own body’s changes have seemed
to alienate my identity. With an abrupt abundance of femininity, I hoped to
depict the idea that adolescence is a volatile existence. I tried to enhance
the image with both the vivid colours reminiscent of my childhood. The
abundance of insects and flora that flood over the imagery help encapsulate how
overwhelmed and consumed I have felt whilst going through this time.
Additionally, whilst completely overstated in colour, the images colour palette
of magenta, dark purple and vivid orange has been incorporated to convey a
feeling of aliveness, femininity and youth.
Derived through the
profusion of nature, exploration of femininity and the use of vivid colour, my
“self” portrait embodies my experience and emotion in this weird and peculiar
period of time from girl to woman
Larni Stevens
"Flowers in Life"
Watercolour on unrushi paper
"Flowers in Life"
Watercolour on unrushi paper
My artwork, a series of three
watercolour paintings, displays an abstract perception of passing time. The
first artwork, is of the flowers full of colour and life. The second artwork is
of a series of sticks deteriorating as they journey through life. The third
artwork, depicts a weathered, lifeless branch with minimal leaves and explores
the enduring nature of life over time. The three artworks together, depict the
lifespan of a flower and the changes it goes through as it experiences the
seasons and stages of its existence.
The artwork have a common denominator,
being the experimental use of watercolour combined with specialist paper. The
use of watercolours over tissue onto watercolour card was explored as I
experimented with different media while developing my idea. As nature is
ephemeral, I have opted to portray the notion of growth through this media so
that it will last forever, and will not die with age as plants do. The
manipulation of Mother Nature as a subject matter, and how it uncontrollably
grows and flourishes, mimics my own history of artmaking. My art has never come
from the first idea, but rather built upon over time.
Harlie Webster-Inch
"Reflection"
Oil Pastel on pastel paper
"Reflection"
Oil Pastel on pastel paper
To me, Reflection is like a Zentangle,
where the repetitious act of drawing lines resulted in a serendipitous and
joyful experience. Part action painting, part meticulous mind mastication,
Reflection is hesitant and unsure, just like me. The art, the media, and the
technique were all discoveries that will inspire future personal artworks.
Grace Pemberton
"Caroline"
Acrylic on canvas board
"Caroline"
Acrylic on canvas board
When deciding whom I wished to paint,
the choice was obvious.
My Nana has always been a strong
influence in my life, even though I have only lived a small fraction of hers.
Through spending every school holidays
with her growing up, she has played a major role in shaping me into the girl I
am today and for that I am so grateful. Her infectious laugh, compassionate
nature and kind heart are few of the many traits I admire about her. So for
these reasons and many more I have chosen to depict her for my painting.
Mary Holliday
‘Perceptive Awareness’
Oil on Canvas
The name of my body of work is,
‘Perceptive Awareness’. It represents the connection of the mind and heart, and
how this process results in the perception of our own existence, thus creating
awareness on how ones surrounding and interpretations alter the way one may
perceive. The portrayal of two contrasting perception were created; a heart
symbolizing a pessimistic and defeatist view on reality, accepting failure and
expecting the worst, and the other signifying a positive, optimistic view, full
of happiness and appreciation of life.
Genevieve Slabbert
‘Self’
Acrylic on canvas
The work responds to the concept of
‘Existence’ with a focus on ‘Self’.
Throughout the body of work I explored who I am as a person and as a
creative. We are as unique as our thumb
print and one of a kind. I have
questioned how I am perceived by others and who I am in this world. This is me…
Olivia Duncan
‘Structures’
Oil paint
‘Structures’ is based upon the focus of
human fragility and the concept that as humans, we exist solely due to our
bodies. Without these structures we
would cease to exist. This makes us so
venerable and fragile to all other forces in our society and our culture. Our bodies are used to represents ourselves,
and the internal structure becomes representative of personality. We are complex beings, with layers of
structure.
Sebastian Angliss-Li
‘Second Edition’
Acrylic and collage on paper
In my teen life, knowing who I am as a
person in terms of heritage and roots has been highly important. Coming from a
background of Chinese-Indonesian heritage has provided a sense of confusion for
me, as my true cultural identity is a little hazy. Seeing more diversity in the
faces of people in my community has made me realize that there are so many more
individuals like myself that share more than one ethnicity in their heritage.
Valerie Fang
‘Injections’
Mixed Media
Growing up I have experienced a lot of
pressure to perform well academically. A future occupation as a doctor is
expected of me, like the earlier generations of my family. But it always seems
hard for me to get to where I want to be. It would be amazing if there were an
easy alternative. Something like a simple injection to become smart, lose
weight, become beautiful, to be perfect!
Elaine Fei
‘Outside the Square’
Watercolour and graphite on paper
Along the way that I have grown up, a mixed
feeling of increasing pressure and expectations of parents filled every aspect
of my current life. The journey of
finding my true self is confusing and gives me anxiety that comes from the
unclear future. It is hard to determine what I am truly passionate about and if
that meets people’s expectations. It is a decision between following the rules
that applied to me as I am obligated to please others who gave me support and
to fit into the surroundings; or to break free from the restraints of the social
framework, find my identity as an individual and what is worth devoting time
to.
Aimée Mulvihill
Beneath the Surface
Paper Cutting and Pencil Drawing
In being an identical twin, there exists
endless stereotypes, which I am exposed to day after day. These stereotypes
have become such normal views within society, and as a result of this, often
cause the feeling of frustration. Within these stereotypes, exists the
perception that despite myself and my twin being two different people, we are
considered to be identical beneath our physical appearance, and as a result,
considered one individual. As a result, I feel as though I lack individualism
and that I have no control over my identity or how I am perceived. Amongst each
layer, even more emotions and feelings are expressed, therefore sharing the
reality of being a twin.
Bella Mulvihill
“Time Warp”
Acrylic on canvas
The pressure of decision making
regarding what I want to do in my future years out of school is increasing as I
approach my last year of schooling. This art piece represents the confusion and
stress that I will soon face concerning this. Connecting to my personal
identity and my link to Japan, these stresses are represented through the
seasons of Japan – acting as a time clock, with certain aspects (e.g. cherry
blossoms) representing new life cycles. My mind in current time is perplexed
with confusion and uttermost disorganization. But, with time and patience, all
the thoughts that are being experienced now will very quickly become thoughts
and memories of the past, as I begin to find my own identity as a growing
individual.
Bill Donaldson
Fake Identity
Film
The objective of this art work is to try
and open the eyes to what our species has turned into. It has evolved so much
that in some respects it is barely called living. I have created a disturbing
theme to go with my message, as it really creates an exaggerated filmic
depiction of our lives. Using the masks to create a ‘blank’ face proved to be
very effective.
The masks were used to get across the
first and main message of the personality and uniqueness being sucked out of
the lives of today’s population. As the masks were exactly the same it created
an effect that no one was different. Yet there is some hope.
Kaimana Barry
Silence
Film
Quiet, always quiet, never heard.
The dark gripping film ‘Silence’ reveals
and delves deep within the mindset of males who suffer from depression feeling
trapped and engulfed by the negativity of life. These are the ones who can not
seek help and lay suffering day to day. The concept of silence is portrayed in
the film to privilege the audience allowing an insight into the pain within
males who suffer depression. Society has painted the ‘men are strong’ message,
the ‘don’t cry’ message and ‘don’t talk about emotions’ or you are seen as weak
but this silence kills and things have to change.
Kaimana Barry
Endless Fragments
Felt pen
The deep inner self-consciousness of the
human mind creates true raw emotions. These artworks express the tireless, distressed
emotions and how body image in our society causes self-doubt, anxiety and
depression.
Jye Hopkins
Iconic inspiring people
Felt pen
I have deconstructed characters who have
become household names over the past Century and classified them as common
archetypes expressing one core value they held.
Max Metro
Superhuman
Lead Pencil Drawing
The world continues to deteriorate and
amongst the turmoil there are people that are seen as superhuman. People with a
political stature that allows them to do anything the want, whenever they want,
no matter how detrimental their actions may be. They may ultimately decide the
fate of the global population, but what if they were born into less fortunate
families?
Ethan Setchell
Mother Nature
Acrylic Paint – recontextualised artwork
Mother Nature is pregnant for the 6th
time and there is an infection. A virus, a disease that wasn’t present in the
past.
This leech has latched itself onto our
population and for generations to come. Pollution. It isn’t a quick fix and
will scar the landscape of the planet for centuries. Humanity has fallen into
an abyss of ignorance.
Hayden Lansdown
Pelagic Pollution
Mixed Media
This artwork shows the pollution that is
joining the ecosystems. Pollution continues to accumulate throughout the world
becoming a highly unfixable disaster. The reef is visibly effected by global
warming and bleaching events. The ecosystem of a reef is fragile and slow to
fix.
Tyler Krelle
‘Double Silence’
Acrylic on canvas, resin sculptures
‘Double Silence’ explores the concept of
memory acting as the foundation of our existence and identity. Once dementia
takes hold of someone, an ultimate silence manifests in their mind. This work
depicts the overarching need of those with dementia to grasp the remnants of
their memory in an attempt to ‘hold on’ to what once was. The negative space
created by the hands represents the void dementia brings; one of loss and
loneliness. One that many can relate to.
Ivy Mackinlay
‘Phrenic Ontogeny’
Mixed media on paper
‘Phrenic Ontogeny’ is a series relative
to the subject of Hybridity, specifically demonstrative of interaction and
evolution. This artwork depicts the key connections between humanity and Mother
Nature; it is a vivid overtone, sourced with the purity of the ever-evolving
interchanging mind. Everything in life is in its existence as an associative
loop with a constant concept that one will either come to fruition or, find its
end. Evolution, to any extent, is inevitable. So whilst there is time, humanity
must let everything interrelate with no cessation. It is all beautiful.
Rose Kearsley
‘Interiorly Exposed’
Photography
‘Interiorly Exposed’ explores the notion
of bringing the inside out, in an attempt to reveal the growing deprivation
humanity faces of an authentic existence. The figure wears a seemingly
‘natural’ fabricated neck piece, channelling the skeletal forms of the spine.
However, the organic shapes and natural colours are deceivingly artificial,
constructed from purely man-made materials, suggesting our superficial
existence is of detriment to the environment. The figure depicted in the
images, appears unphased by the restrictive nature of the garment, signifying
our worsening detachment from each other, communities and human interaction as
advent of innovation increases.
Eleanore Martin
‘Higanbana’
Acrylic on canvas
‘Higanbana’ explores the relationship
between life and death as the fundamental notion of existence. The skeletal
figure is representative of death whilst the two babies she embraces are
symbolic of life. Death supplies life her ‘milk’, as the circle of life is sustained
and the cycle of dependency continues. Red and white death lilies engulf the
figure, a symbol commonly associated with regeneration and the restoration of
innocence after death. Overall, symbolic imagery creates a paradox where the
line between life and death is blurred and the viewer is encouraged to reflect
upon the inevitable promise of death.
Monae Lange
‘Internal Augmentation of Collected
Misconception’
Mixed media sculpture
Human behaviour is a complicated,
intriguing and somewhat divisive topic. The way an organ functions within each
individual is the same regardless of what is seen on the outside. Society
however, does not look beyond the ‘cloth’ or cloak of what is visible to the
eye only. Groups within society set unrealistic standards, rules and guidelines
for normalcy which discriminates against individuality and unique attributes.
Pressure within society to conform ensures the creative qualities of
individuals are discarded due to judgement and misconception.
Aurora Johnston
Wrapped up and Out of Sight
Photograph on Capper Board
This body of work addressed the human
delusion that when we discard our waste, it somehow disappears, that somehow,
if we place it out of sight and pretend it doesn’t exist any longer, the
problem isn’t ours. The wrapped object has been a long fascination, and the
Christo-Jean Claude like media allowed me to play with the underlying form of
each object while maintaining a fine balance between knowing and unknowing. Nature
cannot absorb our habits any longer. This work is one of 15 images that rely
upon the beauty of the setting to seduce and the message that descends to shock
if you give the work time to work on you.
Ella Seeto
Split Views: My Nightmares
Drawing Projection, Photography, Light
Painting Digital Manipulation
The human body is a shell; protecting
and concealing the psychological emotions and pictures only the individual
themselves can feel and see. But what if we could see these psychic visions in
physical sight? Through my body of work, Sleepless, I captured a psychological
scene that, at the time, I was experiencing. A trigger of nightmares caused
many sleepless nights for me, and it was impacting my day-to-day mood. In this
unit of work, the focus of emergence influenced me to turn these nightmares
into art to reveal personal psychological scenes; in an attempt to overcome and
emerge from the state of sleeplessness. By manipulating the standard purpose of
photography to capture ‘a’ truth, using long exposure, I was able to
externalise a scene that was before invisible and uncommunicable to others.
Daisy Gray
Lumbaru: Flora and Fauna
Frottage on rice paper and Kraft paper
with shellac snakes digitally reproduced from original.
This work is based on the alchemical
relationship between flora and fauna embodied in me. Lumbaru is the name I was
given at my birth. I was born in the northern area of WA known as the
Kimberley, reknown for its dry bush and its distinctive native species. When I
came to the world, my family was in a small aboriginal community and they named
me after the spirit of a King Brown, Lumbaru that was killed at the same time I
was born. These snakes and the plants on which it rests are me; the frottaged
flora refers to my Christian name; Daisy. The shapes of the snakes signify the
signs of life and infinity – symbolising that life continues, in an infinite
cycle despite our ignorance of its patterns. These artworks have a range of
different visual elements to convey my intended meaning; texture, tonal
contrast, colour and the variety of layered media all relate to the complex
meaning.
Ruby Vaggelas
What Difference Does It Make
Video Loop - could we please play it
through twice before moving on to the next work?
My work was created to spark questions
about the nature of gender, how it can be expressed and therefore defined.
Gender is complex, it exists on a spectrum and a person’s gender is unique to
them alone; however, traditional gender expectations are deeply entrenched in
the fabric of society. In this work I wanted to invite an open engagement with
the construct. True expression is so often hindered because society has
repressed all variations of non-conformity; if it does not fit, it cannot be.
Gender can also be projected onto an individual and this work explores that
idea.
Angeline Holley
Passage into Transience Diptych
Photographs
My body of work, Passage into
Transience, exposes the various levels of consciousness of a child as he, not
only transitions into adulthood, but as he realises the fragility and
impermanence of our existence. The portrait series, from which this diptych was
taken looks at the psychological conditions of Puer Aeternus or Peter Pan
Syndrome and Chronophobia.
My interest in this right of passage,
involves the child leaving behind the stability and natural state that is
childhood and passing into the artificial pretences of adulthood. The works
also explore the coexistence of ‘man and environment’, a delicate balance that
is too often damaging. These psychological self portraits have the appearance
of dream imagery and their meaning is meant to utter to the viewer through
symbol, visual language and visceral memory.
Lily Clements-Markham
Decaying Spaces
Photographic Stills of Performative
Installation
People don’t seem to understand the
consequences of abusing their body perhaps because they cannot see the physical
damage occurring beyond their skin. In my body of work, Decaying Spaces, I
expose the fragility of our internal systems. To see the visceral and
vulnerability laid bare outside of the skin’s surface is disturbing to say the
least. My context is both socio-cultural and personal. I have explored the
horrific epidemic of continuous substance abuse through my inquiry process and
tried to make my works aesthetic as well as shocking. Working in the derelict
environment of Terranora Lakes Country Club, I have matched place to symbolic
intention.
Anastasia Lavrentyeva
‘Is it desire’
Photographic diptych
In my work, ‘Is it desire’, the main
idea stems from a study of human psychology, particularly, human desires. I
wanted to reveal how desires and the wishes people experience are hidden inside
but emerge in fleeting moments and can define us. Using long exposure
photography and costumes I constructed from aluminium, I wanted to capture
these instances that can shift a person’s understanding of someone else.
Miho Hiroe
Trump Grate/Grater/Greater
Photographic. Peace Cranes and
Projection
This work is an attempt to reconcile
contradictions through an alchemy of opposites; the rhetoric of Trump’s claims
about peace and destruction has brought us to this. I have made origami cranes;
a symbol of peace from paper printed with Trump’s face – the face of the 21st century
that exemplifies the potential for destruction. The use of Kim Jong Un invites
the viewer to consider the consequences.
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