STAYING back at school on a Friday night to paint was a weekly routine for Hale School students Max Evangelisti and Finley White that earned them a place in the WA Art Gallery’s annual Year 12 Perspectives exhibition.
City Beach resident Max said art was more than just a school subject and required many hours of dedication.
“Art was always a laid back subject at the start of school so I chose to do it in year 10 but as I did it I fell in love with it and wanted to stay after class and keep painting,” he said.
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READ NOW“By year 11, a few of us started to stay on Friday nights to paint a little bit but then by year 12 it was every Friday and the class really became like an art community.”
Max’s piece City Beach on Sunday is a colourful, pop art celebration of summer and mateship inspired by British pop artist David Hockney.
“I really wanted to try and create something that was bright, happy and eye-catching,” he said.
“So I had my mates over one morning, threw them all in the pool and did a photo shoot and I worked from that.
“I wanted to take a snapshot of my life and how much I enjoy living in City Beach; it’s about making the most of every moment with friends.”
Max plans to study commerce and law at the University of WA but also take elective units in art.
Finley White (Karrinyup) said being a part of Year 12 Perspectives was the kick-start he needed to pursue a degree in graphic design and creative advertising at Curtin University.
“The idea behind my oil-on-canvas diptych Micro/Macro was to explore the ‘microcosm’ and ‘macrocosm’ within aspects of every day natural scenery.
“I took over 100 close up photographs, mainly in the school grounds and in my garden -the artwork is a commentary on the beauty we miss and an invitation to look more closely.”
Finley said he had a passion for art and photography from a young age.
“Painting is great because it is an amazing sense of achievement you get when you finish an artwork,” he said.
“I really want to go and see the other art works and meet the other artists – it is a huge privilege to be included in the show.”
The Year 12 Perspectives exhibition will celebrate 25 years and will highlight alumni who have become professional artists, including video interviews with previous finalists across the years.
Gallery Director Stefano Carboni said the exhibition provided an opportunity for the WA community to enage and show support for young artists.
Year 12 Perspectives is on display at AGWA from January 28 through to April 2.