FIVE Colo High students were pre-selected for Artexpress for visual arts projects created for the HSC, and four of these have been selected for an exhibition.
Artexpress is held annually, and is made up of a series of exhibitions of exemplary artworks created by Year 12 students across the state.
Lucinda Bird’s piece, called ‘August 29’, has been selected for exhibition at The Armory Sydney Olympic Park (February 27 to April 23).
Her piece is a series of portrait drawings representing the fight to perform during the HSC, and the tension and anxiety that can lead to stress throughout the year.
“Throughout high school I struggled with anxiety about the pressures to succeed, particularly regarding school work. For me, art has always been a way to relax without feeling pressure. Ironically, I struggled to draw when I was feeling stressed as my reaction to stress is to shiver and shake,” said Ms Bird.
Jessica Kewley’s work will be displayed at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (January 26 to April 23), Tamworth Regional Gallery (August 18 to October 8) and Grafton Regional Gallery (June 16 to July 29).
Called ‘Control the Code’, her sculpture work explores the relationship between technology, art and humans, and how technology impacts so heavily on our lives.
“Growing up in a family interested in technology, it led me to be interested in how technology works and exploring its uses and impact on humans. Technology has always been a part of my life so I wanted to bring it into my artwork,” said Ms Kewley.
Caithlin Murray’s drawing piece called ‘Fam-i- ly‘ will be showcased at the Grafton Regional Gallery (June 16 to July 29).
The piece explores the dynamic between family members and how the family unit helps to define its members.
“My work captures the essence of the qualities and characteristics which I appreciate in my family members, forming an embodiment of their personality which imprints on my own individuality,” said Ms Murray.
“I have always had a passion for drawing with pencils. I had only previously worked with lead pencils but for my Body of Work I decided to use coloured pencils.”
Nakeisha Bauer’s photography piece has been selected for exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (January 26 to April 23).
Called ‘Tradition and Femininity: The Series’, the work explores the natural beauty of women, utilising ‘the gaze’ of both men and women as a motif for strength and empowerment.
“My personal interest in Art History and the way women have been portrayed and documented throughout time [inspired me]. [Also] my interest with female empowerment and the way women have begun to take back control with the way they are viewed and how they want to be perceived,” said Ms Bauer.
Isabella Roberts was pre-selected for Artexpress for her drawing piece called ‘Echo of the Subconscious’.
It consists of two self portraits exploring how intense emotions are often internalised, including the flow and release of expression in the body, and the physical and psychological response to stress.
“My practice developed very early on. I began working with a variety of materials and styles. Through this experimentation, I learnt to develop my artistic practice to find exactly what I wanted to create,” said Ms Roberts.