Applecross Senior High School graduate Ethan Bergersen with some of his work.
Camera IconApplecross Senior High School graduate Ethan Bergersen with some of his work. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Climate change perspective in young artist exhibition

Aaron CorlettMelville Gazette

GAS masks, life jackets and fireproof suits all feature in Applecross Senior High School graduate Ethan Bergersen’s work, which is being featured at the Heathcote Cultural Precinct.

The 18-year-old is among 25 visual art graduates from 13 south-of-the-river high schools exhibiting works for Southern Perspectives, which runs until March 22.

The South Perth resident’s work includes two garments and an accompanying video, inspired by climate change.

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He said his pieces were inspired by natural disasters such as bushfires.

“Fashion is one of the worst industries for its effects on the environment and (this) highlights the issues, not in a depressing way but more in a comedic way,” he said.

“It’s like ‘this could be the future’ where for fashion shows people are wearing gas masks, life vests, fireproof suits and I wanted to portray a message but make it enjoyable and still fashion.

“I started off with the safety elements, like life vests and gas masks and then I wanted to incorporate the high fashion aspects so I looked at current and dying trends.”

Ethan Bergersen incorporated video into his work.
Camera IconEthan Bergersen incorporated video into his work. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Bergersen said the video was a late addition designed to help his exhibit stand out.

“I decided to film a runway show and make that the video,” he said.

“It allowed me to get my message across strongly because the audio is like a flight attendant voice that discusses the safety features of the garments,” he said.

“It was a lot of fun. I wrote the script and I found my friend with the best voice to read it out – she has a British accent – and then I got my friends to model and do make-up, so there was about 20 of us working on it during a school day.”