Teen art explores whole canvas of life

Madeley resident Aleisha Allen drew The story unfolds on book pages while attending Swan Christian College last year.

“I believe your identity changes with age and maturity,” she said.

“I want this artwork to send a positive message to the audience.

“People continually learn, change and grow from their life experiences.

“It is my belief that people don’t need to be defined by their past.

“We continue to grow and can become whatever we want to be in life.”

Quinns Rocks resident Amber Baldock drew Confidence, strength using graphite while at Mindarie Senior College last year.

“My artwork consists of three people who have each influenced my point of view,” she said.

“Billie Joe Armstrong, the confident, outgoing front man of the controversial band Green Day; my mother, a strong, independent and resilient woman; and Ashton Irwin, the drummer in 5 Seconds Of Summer, a down-to-earth individual, who appreciates however much or little he has.

“Even though they each have their own personality, when put together they form someone else. This is my self-portrait.”

Kingsley teenager Michelle Casinader made Homogeneous genocide out of plaster, muslin, calico and MDF while at Kingsway Christian College.

“Whilst the Klu Klux Klan, the Nazis and Isis are all based on very diverse cultures, they have targeted different groups in society,” she said.

“All have had negative impact on the world and were responsible for the barbaric murder of great sections of society based on skin colour, ethnicity or religion.

“Homogeneous means ‘of the same kind’ and Homogeneous genocide aims to provoke audience’s reactions about the increasing issue of genocide and how it is still present today.

“It communicates this through the repetition of the human skull as a symbol of death and the millions of innocent lives lost.

“Whilst these three groups can be viewed differently by different people and each has its own flag symbol featured behind a skull, the unifying whitewash symbolises the fact they are all ‘tarred’ with the same evil brush.

“The last of the four which does not as yet feature a full skull and is still free from claim, represents the next unseen evil to rise up in our world.”

Duncraig resident Elise Gullotti’s four-piece charcoal drawing and interactive sound recording is called Where did you sleep last night? gives voices to Lynette, Joe, Shane and Ted, who live on the streets in WA.

“They, like many others, sit for hours each day begging for spare change to buy the basic necessities to live,” the John XXIII College graduate said.

“Many ignore and don’t give consideration to them as human beings, and yet they each have a history.

“Their stories about family, friends and experiences are not often shared, but are worth hearing.”

Warwick resident Tina Han created her pen, pencil and watercolour piece, called Silk of patrimony, while attending Applecross Senior High School. “Inspired by the union between Chinese and Western cultures, the artwork is a depiction of my cultural identity, symbolising the culture I was born into, and the one which I reside in today,’ she said. “My heritage is presented by the traditional Chinese dress in the portrait, whilst the willow pattern background suggests Western context. “Together, they signify the connection between the history of both cultures, which have greatly influenced one another, as well as my own life.” Tapping’s Robyn McCoy created Copyright during Year 12 at St Stephen’s School in Carramar. “The growing prominence of the internet and rise of mass production methods has facilitated the replication and distribution of images – devaluating the intention of the image,” she said. “I explored this idea by reproducing my original oil painting and then branding it with a watermark. “I wanted the viewer to consider the notion of originality and whether technology has rendered copyright incongruous.” Landsdale’s Eden Rehling painted Permanence while at John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School, which she described as a photo-realistic painted interior. “A minimalistic greyscale bed, scrunched from use and in a state of emptiness, resides dominantly on my canvas,” she said. “A bed in an abject state, is so open to interpretation and invites analysis but can never be unreservedly classified. “Creating an artwork that had the power to imbue an everyday interior landscape with such loaded and yet indefinite meaning was a challenge I set for myself this semester. “Beds are so permeated with personal significance, the viewer’s context undoubtedly influences their experiences of my work and will affect the emotions they feel seeing the image. “My painting and its title is challenging to viewers because it doesn’t present a fixed meaning or one point of view on a subject but rather has many possible conclusions that can be drawn.” Ocean Reef’s Jacob Sewell created The art of music video while at Prendiville Catholic College. “My piece is a video recording of me playing the drum kit using brushes; I gather the paint as I drum and scatter the colours,” he said. “The overarching theme of my work is how important music is in my life and how, no matter what I do, music has an impact. “Masks and the coloured paint symbolise my different moods while I play.” Duncraig’s Tess Williams created her Forgotten Treasures seven-piece digital print at Balcatta Senior High School “Forgotten Treasures depicts vintage items which are being rapidly replaced by flashier, more disposable ones,” she said. “As they become lost, so does their beauty. My work is about appreciating the beauty of these objects and holding onto these treasures before they are discarded. “The work in three parts includes photographs printed onto ply, Polaroids, pen on wood and printed ink drawings.” Marmion resident Simone Wilson made Able-enable during Year 12 at St Mary’s Anglican Girls School. “Able-enable depicts a female para-athlete in a racing wheel chair,” she said. “It celebrates diversity and technology; the idea that technological advancement has the ability to merge with human abilities, enhancing them. “As an athlete, I admire the determination of para-athletes who persevere and strive to succeed in spite of disabilities. “I was inspired by David Oliveira and the organic nature of his wire sculpture. I used line repetition to suggest movement, a key technique adopted by Futurist artists such as Boccioni.” The Year 12 Perspectives 2015 exhibition will be on display at the Art Gallery of WA from March 12 to June 13.