Westside Christian College visual arts students continue to make a name for themselves, achieving spectacularly at the 2nd Matthew Flinders Gallery Next Generation Art Prize.
The hotly contested nation-wide event was held at the Bribie Island Arts Centre last weekend. Competing against a carefully-curated array of quality artists were five Westside students, including SaBelle Pobjoy-Sherriff (Year 11) and Toby Newell (Year 10) who took the competition by storm.
The gallery was packed with a who’s-who of Queensland artists, with Saturday’s gallery exhibition serving doubly as the awards night.
SaBelle beside her award-winning sculpture
Viewers were overwhelmed by the striking bareness of SaBelle’s sculpture Odyssey Oil Spill 1988 (right), which won her first place in the 12-16 years category. The sculpture, constructed of wire, feather and contrasting yarns, engaged audiences to think carefully about the interconnectedness of humanity and nature and the havoc wreaked when this balance is disrupted. A fitting piece for a seaside community.
Toby’s graphite drawing Home? (in the tan frame, below) was awarded third place in the same category. Newell’s artwork challenges audiences to consider the people behind the barbed wire in all aspects of life: from the asylum seeker through to the children suffering abuse in our own communities.
Toby’s piece was purchased on the night by the the Honourable Susan Lamp MP, Federal Member for Longman MP and will be displayed in her office in Canberra.
Visual Arts Co-ordinator, Mrs Rachel Cramer was understandably proud, “they’re all such talented artists.
Toby Newell stands proudly beside his drawing, which will hang in Federal Parliament.
I’m so proud of of their efforts. To have five outstanding artists showcase their work is a remarkable feeling.”
The Next Generation Art Prize provides an opportunity for emerging artists in the youth category to showcase their skills and find a home amongst Queensland’s thriving art community.
Westside wishes to congratulate Jamie Marshall, Mary Mokofisi and
Lieze Mulder, all of Year Eight, whose works were also exhibited. Watch this space! Leize has recently received a highly commended in the Independent Education Union art competition, which opens next week.
In late 2018 Westside’s newest creative arts precinct will open its doors. The state-of-the-art facility highlights the College’s ongoing commitment to students achieving in all fields of life.
Westside Christian College: Opportunities for Everyone.
