ENERGY AND VISION

The annual “ENERGY” Art Exhibition opened at the Tanks Arts Centre in Edgehill recently wowing audiences with works from some of the regions most talented visual arts students.

The “ENERGY” art exhibition has gained a strong reputation for presenting viewers with diverse and exciting works which reflect a professionalism and maturity well beyond the age of the students who exhibit.  This year’s exhibition only strengthened this reputation as it presented a whole new crop of the best young and emerging artists in Far North Queensland.

Regional co-ordinator of the exhibition Mrs Melanie Tuxworth, an art teacher at Trinity Bay State High School, said the purpose of the exhibition was two fold.  “ENERGY” is the opportunity to showcase and award students who have entered in the prestigious State Wide “Creative Generations Awards for Excellence in Art and Design” (previously the Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Art Education) program as well as celebrating and awarding additional students from a broad range of schools who are exhibiting as part of the regional exhibition.  This year 10 students were showcased as part of the “Creative Generations” awards and a further 25 students acknowledged and their efforts celebrated across a range of other awards.

Melanie said that this regional exhibition of the works by talented young artist had been running for over twelve years and was unique in the state. 

“This is the only region where works entered in the Creative Generations Awards are exhibited along with works as part of a broader regional exhibition, and we are only able to curate such a large and diverse exhibition due to the interest and support of the wider community.”

Melanie said that the Peninsula Art Educator’s Association (PAEA) was indebted to Ergon Energy who became a key corporate sponsor of the event three years ago.  This ongoing support in partnership with Education Queensland has meant that the exhibition continues to grow in both it’s scope and professionalism.

“The corporate sponsorship from local businesses such as Ergon is a huge vote of support for young artists in the region and this has given ENERGY a firm financial footing to ensure this opportunity continues in our region.”

Charlie Casa, Ergon Energy’s Area Operations Manager (Tablelands) told the exhibition opening that the calibre of creativity and innovation of the young artists on exhibition was both an eye-opener and very heartening.

“This exhibition demonstrates the maturity and talent of young people in our community and is a must-see for any one wanting a glimpse in to the thoughtfulness and insight of young artists”.

“I am very pleased Ergon Energy’s support contributes to ensuring that this works is seen by the public as it truly deserves to be seen and it’s energetic works experienced by all”.

The most highly anticipated awards of the night are the Creative Generations Awards for Excellence in Art and Design which were this year presented by Steve Wettenhall MP who represented the Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts, Rod Welford.

Six students were selected this year for Excellence awards in the Creative Generations Awards.  These six students will have their work hung in the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane as part of an exhibition of 34 other works from around the state.

The six students work demonstrates innovation in art media, techniques and approaches as shown in the finished works and in the artist’s statements that accompanied each of the works.

Maddy Savage – Cairns State High School

“Damaged”

Photographic Assemblage

"Damaged" is a visual response to perceptions of eating disorders.  For the person with the disease the image of themselves is distorted and corrupted.  The disease in later stages places tremendous stress on the body organs.  The image developed from playing with balloons and plastic cutlery.  The photographs started as a recording of my art process but were so strong and stark I used them as another level in the assemblage.  I was always conscious of the juxtaposition of the bright white plastic and space and the rich colour of the balloons.

Hayden Moody – St. Augustine’s College

“Calm Woman with Banana”

Oil Pastel on Paper

These images are created using a train of thought and immediacy to relate stories of our urban reality both real and imagined.

Marshall Kusabs – Trinity Bay State High School

“Below”

Oil paint on Board

For my work I wanted to articulate the sense of un-nerving claustrophobia and isolation that you feel when entering in to the depths of a subterranean world.  I used oil paints to create a slow build up of subtle layers of gradual intensity.  I used increasingly fat layers of glossy oil paint to build up a sense of darkness, light and luminosity that you experience inside a cavern.  The main thing I wanted to express was the play of light upon even the darkest of spaces and the beauty as well as threatening world that exists below the earth.

Ben Wall – Cairns State High School

“Alpha”

Photography New Media

As a stand-alone work 'Alpha Revolution' comments on the modern entertainment business.  The title itself is an allusion to Che Guevara, a man who once fought against consumerism, but ironically has now become a product of it.  Some artists say Jesus was the first rock star; some say Hitler gets the honours.  Look deeper and find your own interpretation.

Nic Trott – St. Augustine’s College

“Violent Cycle Series”

Water colour on paper

Domestic violence occurs when a family member, partner or ex-partner attempts to physically or psychologically dominate or harm the other. It can be exhibited physically, sexually, emotionally, or through intimidation, economic deprivation or threats of violence. It occurs in all geographic areas of Australia and in all socioeconomic and cultural groups, although domestic violence is a more significant problem for certain groups, such as regional and rural Australia and in Indigenous communities. Many incidences of abuse often go unreported, and the 2008 Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that only 36% of women who experienced physical assault by a male perpetrator reported to police. The series of watercolour paintings, Violent Cycle, recognises the many cases of domestic violence and abuse that go unreported in Australia, and how many women do not often leave because they feel responsible. The artworks are intended to awaken the public to the reality of abuse in Australia, as although we are the lucky country we cannot simply turn the blind eye away from very real and important issues, for at least one in three women subjected to intimate partner abuse during her lifetime. Domestic violence accounted for 27% of homicides in Australia between 1989 and 1996. Violence against women costs the community socially and economically. A society that is unsafe for women is unsafe for everyone.

Christina Roberts – Trinity Bay State High School

“San Francisco”

Drawing and Digtial projection with animated rotorscoping

My work is an animation projected on to a stark white canvas. The rotorscoped video footage comes from my recent holiday to San Francisco. The images that I captured and imported in to Flash were used to communicate the fun and excitement of exploration of what was to me a strange new city.  I chose to directly sketch the buildings on to the canvas in graphite pencil to contrast with the crisp digital lines of the animation that is projected upon the canvas.  The Victorian buildings so reminiscent to me of this city frame the two figures as they loop moving backwards and forwards exploring the spaces I remember in my memory.

In addition to these Excellence awards winners, 4 other works were short listed  in the Creative Generations Awards:

Ruby Fones – Cairns State High School

“Cellular”

Photography New Media

My work cellular was developed from a single drawing of a cell.  This piece explores a range of processes to produce a final image that celebrates the growth of the original cell.  The drawing was photocopied, rearranged and then photocopied again onto a series on clear acetate sheets. I stiched the acetate together to form a screen onto which a movie of cell like jellyfish was projected.  I photographed the screen and then printed the selected coloured photos onto acetate.  These sheets were then re-stitched to form the final image.

Taro Grieves – St. Augustine’s College

“Taro Cards”

Offset Print, pigment print

Inspired by Andy Warhol and Cindy Sherman, “Taro Cards” is a representation of myself as a developing artist and the commercialisation of art. Each artist/artwork depicted has had a profound influence on the way I view and analyse artworks. As art has become more and more accessible, artists have to come up with ways to make their business stand out. This is what my aim was when creating “Taro Cards”, to link business and art. The cards have been handed out to many people and showcases both my art and myself as a business.  Go on take one!

Sarah Koppen – Innisfail SHS

“Dependency”

Mixed Media

My concept 'A Common Mark' has illustrated that no matter how different we are, or how much of an individual, we share a common link: we are part of a supportive network.  We are taken care of fed and loved by family friends, groups and work mates.  Every one of us is part of this 'invisible' web that surrounds us and helps us to grow.  I separated it into three parts that represent the mother or beginnings, growing up, and returning or the end of the cycle.  The common web is textured and multi layered with lots of depth, just like life.

Jessie Hall – Trinity Bay SHS

“Hey.”

Original Photography

“Hey.” is the product of frenzied photographic experimentation on a quiet night in the suburbs.  The process involved scrapping all of my original plans and making the most of an old light-up vanity mirror and a clothes line.  The slow shutter speed combined with minimal lighting isolates the figure from the urban backyard around her.  I hope the intensity of her gaze and the sea of darkness reaches out and connects with viewers in a direct and powerful way.

The S&S Creativity Unlimited Regional Encouragement Award Winner was Kimberly Alcock.

Kimberley Alcock – Innisfail SHS

“Dear Departed”

Mixed Media on Waterclour paper

In this work I was moved to express the suffering when loved ones don't come home.  The messages this sends to friends and families and society confuses our ideas on what is right and wrong.  The violence of war touches more than the brave soldiers away in other countries: it has long effects on unborn children, those left behind and gives very mixed messages to us all.  I have used mixed media and broken shapes with energy to give the feeling of violent impacts.A full list of students who received awards on the night includes:

ENERGY 2008   - Award Winners

Creative Generations Awards for Excellence in Art and Design – State Excellence Award Winners

“Damaged”……………………….Maddy Savage (Cairns SHS)

“Alpha” …………………………..Ben Wall (Cairns SHS)

“Calm Woman with Banana..” ……Hayden Moody (St. Augustine’s College)”

“Violent Cycle Series” ……………...Nic Trott (St. Augustine’s College)

“Below” …………………………….Marshall Kusabs (Trinity Bay SHS)

“San Francisco” ………………….Christina Roberts (Trinity Bay SHS)

Creative Generations Awards for Excellence in Art and Design – Shortlisted Students

“Damaged”……………………….Maddy Savage (Cairns SHS)

“Alpha” …………………………..Ben Wall (Cairns SHS)

“Calm Woman with Banana..” ……Hayden Moody (St. Augustine’s College)”

“Violent Cycle Series” ……………...Nic Trott (St. Augustine’s College)

“Below” …………………………….Marshall Kusabs (Trinity Bay SHS)

“San Francisco” ………………….Christina Roberts (Trinity Bay SHS)

“Cellular” …………………………..Ruby Fones (Cairns SHS)

“Dependency” ……………………..Sarah Koppen (Innisfail SHS)

“Hey.”………………………………..Jessie Hall (Trinity Bay SHS)

“Taro Cards” ……………………….Taro Grieves (St. Augustine’s College)

Creative Generations Awards for Excellence in Art and Design – S+S Regional Encouragement Award

“Dear Departed” ……………………Kimberley Alcock (Innisfail SHS)

Tanks Arts Centre - Curator’s Award

Jessie Hall “Hey”  (Trinity Bay SHS)

Ergon Energy Cell Artspace Awards

My family, my friends, my identity          Sorayya Mirshafiei (St. Mary’s College)

Silhouette                                                   Kirsten Young (Cairns SHS)

Abuso di potere (rhino)                           Danika Rameshfar (Atherton SHS)

Tarot Cards                                               Taro Grieves (St. Augustine’s)

Perceptions of my identity                       Jayne Marino (St. Mary’s College)

Only a frame                                              Courtney Martin (Babinda SS)

My Island Home                                         Mele Klose (Kuranda SHS)

Paper creations                                          Ashley Greaves (Trinity Bay SHS)

Hey                                                                Jessie Hall (Trinity Bay SHS)

Cellular                                                         Ruby Fones (Cairns SHS)

 

Ergon Energy Encouragement Awards

San Francisco                                           Christina Roberts (Trinity Bay SHS)

Mitchell                                                        Jessica Donaghy

Shadowed childhood                                Nic Trott (St Augustine’s)

Tears for 2                                                  Julia Forsberg (Bentley Park College)

Changing perception                                Nikki Nasser (Trinity Bay SHS)

Empty                                                            Tahni Turpin  (Smithfield SHS)

Me for sale                                                    Jack Elkins (Trinity Bay SHS)

PAEA Encouragement Awards

“Hey”……………………………………… Jessie Hall (Trinity Bay SHS)

“Me For Sale”……………………………..Jack Elkins (Trinity Bay SHS)

“Intervention” …………………………… Samara Barbary

“Cellular”………………………………….. Ruby Fones (Cairns SHS)

“Plunge” ………………………………… Matilda Leeman (Trinity Bay SHS)

“Changing Perception” ………………… Nikki Nasser (Trinity Bay SHS)

“Taro Cards”  … ……………………………Taro Grieves (St. Augustine’s)

“Ancestral Messages”  …………………    Angela Taylor (Innisfail SHS)

“Leaves”……………………………………  Rachel McClure (Babinda SS)

“Healing Hands” …………………………. Berinda Verkroost (Babinda SS) “Mitchell” …………………………………   Jessica Donaghy

“Paper Creations” ………………………   Ashleigh Greaves (Trinity Bay SHS)

“Green Peace” …………………………    Hannah Marsh (Trinity Bay SHS)

“Empty” …………………………………….Tahni Turpin (Smithfield SHS)

“Perceptions of My Identity” ……………   Jayne Marino (St. Mary’s College)

“Chairs” …………………………………….Jacquilyn Torrisi (Atherton SHS)

“Abuso di potere” ………………………    Danika Rameshfar (Atherton SHS)

“Transmigration of the Soul”  …………. Kai Fordman (St. Monica’s College)