THREE Colo High students have been selected for ArtExpress 2018, for major works completed this year in HSC Visual Arts.
Their works will be showcased in various professional galleries around the state in 2018, and one of the pieces will be displayed at the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery.
Gillian Hunt’s artwork titled ‘Working through the Landscape’ is a series of ink and charcoal works exploring the landscape. It investigates the duality of the complex and simplicity within the natural landscape, through line, composition, colour and shape.
“My constant exploration of the world around me, specifically the divergent angles and perspectives, results in expressive mark making potential and generated motifs that unite my works, perfectly balancing the groupings of colour, composition and shape,” Ms Hunt said.
“Documenting my work via photography allowed me to capture the moment and establish a nexus between taking a photograph and framing the artwork.”
Her work will be exhibited at The Armory, Sydney Olympic Park, and Orange Regional Gallery.
Holly Luthy’s artwork titled ‘Creation by Compulsion’ a series of paintings made from burning and the visual yet destructive qualities of fire, which she is fascinated by.
“The stimulus for 'Creation for compulsion' began with the fixation and desire to generate a spark. This instant gratification and longing to control the mark making potential of the medium, is captured in the circular motif throughout the series,” she said.
“The unleashing of heat, use of colour and the ashy footprint left behind represent the infinite cycle of fire and the desire to reignite. The post-ignition phase results in a new aesthetic, recognising the visual yet destructive qualities.”
Ms Luthy’s artwork will be exhibited at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and Manning Regional Art Gallery.
Gabriella Pratt’s piece called ‘Natura’ is a series on nature-inspired jewellery, which reflects the qualities of her environment.
“Investigating the physicality of both the bush and beach, my designs attempted to encapsulate the unique phenomena and qualities both landscapes hold,” she said.
“Growing up, my life was surrounded by both environments, I have informed a connectedness between the physical landscape and my understanding of environment, oneself, sustainability and lifeforms. This intimate, personal journey is represented in the solidity of jewellery and the sculptural forms I attempted to transform from nature.”
Ms Pratt’s piece will be exhibited at Art Gallery of New South Wales, and Hawkesbury Regional Gallery.
There were 35 students in the Visual Arts course at Colo this year, and four of them were nominated for ArtExpress.
Teacher Patrick Ebsworth said the department was very proud of this year's Visual Arts cohort, who produced an excellent array of works.
"We are so happy for our students, we have high expectations and they continue to strive for excellence," he said.
ArtExpress pieces will be exhibited at the Art Gallery of New South Wales from January 26 until April 25, before heading to the other galleries - check with the individual galleries in 2018 for exhibition dates.
