He said his grandma had always been into arts and crafts, and had encouraged him to take it up.
Now, as the Mount Pleasant resident and Wesley College graduate makes the transition from high school to university, he will exhibit, along with other Year 12 graduates in the Year 12 Perspectives at the Art Gallery of Western Australia.
His piece, Journey With Friends, is three portraits drawn with ballpoint pen.
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READ NOWHe said using pen was a very different medium.
‘It is a bit scary using them as you can’t really make corrections, especially doing a large portrait,’ he said.
‘It is very stressful.
‘But the pen also adds to the effect ” it gives it a more chaotic, grungy look.’
Ryan said his art piece tells the story of Year 12.
‘It’s three different people,’ he explained.
‘It is meant to show the stress that Year 12 puts on us and how it affects us.
‘The portraits have one light side and one dark. It is the distinct contrast from when you start high school to when you finish.’
Art Gallery of WA director Stefano Carboni said the work in the exhibition explored a breadth of themes, such as personal identity, concern for the environment and society, and the journey to adulthood.
‘Visitors will encounter a mix of vibrant and reflective work that depicts and re-imagines our world through young, contemporary perspectives, and I’m sure they will leave impressed by the talent of our young artists and inspired by their outlook,’ he said.
Other entrants in Year 12 Perspectives who will have their work in the exhibition are Corpus Christi College’s Joshanne Dar, Melville Senior High School’s Michelle Maretha, Applecross SHS’s Carissa Wu and Samual Indrawan, and Gabrielle Lawrie and Lily McAuliffe, from All Saints College.
– Visitors to the Gallery will be able to have their say on their favourite work and vote in the Santos Year 12 Perspectives People’s Choice Award. Voting closes at 5pm on April 27 and the winners will be announced on April 30.
To view the online gallery and vote online, visit www.artgallery.wa.gov.au/exhibitions/Year-12-Perspectives-2013.asp.