Three talented young Southern River College students Joella Flanagan, Emma-Lee Egan and Abbey Riddley have had their paintings selected in the Young Originals Exhibition this year.
Now on its seventh year the exhibition showcases the best public secondary school artwork in the state across a range of mediums include paintings, photography, sculptures, video and textiles.
Fifteen-year-old Joella was named Young Indigenous Artist of the Year in the last year’s Young Australian Art Awards and was the creator behind the painting titled Snakes Meeting.
The year 10 student was surprised at this latest achievement and thought painting snakes would be different.
Fourteen-year-old Abbey was browsing the internet when a waterfall photograph caught her attention and inspired her to paint Waterfall.
After a month of art classes the year nine student completed the painting using blending and layering techniques to create movement in the painting.
Year 11 student Emma-Lee Egan, 16, was selected for her painting Green Frog.
She said it took her six to eight months to complete because she wanted to make it right.
The school’s head of arts Dusty Ward said the students worked hard to develop their techniques and sensibility to create a personal style.
“Joella’s use of more tertiary colours, explorative mark making and balanced composition is a credit to her,” she said.
“Emma-Lee’s work is very intricate and delicately produced with uplifting colour schemes.
“Abbey’s skill in using fast brush marks to mimic water has really captured the essence of a water fall and the textural effect is well executed.”
She also said Young Originals is a rewarding experience for the students who gain a sense of pride in themselves for their creative expression.
The exhibition will be open to the public at gallery 25, Edith Cowan University’s Gallery 25 in Mount Lawley from August 11 to 23.
