Pittwater Life March 2018 Issue

Art Life
Art Life
Mali shares top HSC art prize
Barrenjoey High School student Mali prominent artist and Pittwater local Joshua
Hole’s creative processes and hard work Yeldham late last month – will showcase
during the HSC last year have been recognized,
with the talented artist sharing the students from local secondary schools
the work of more than 40 HSC Visual Art
Manly Art Gallery & Museum Society Youth until Sunday April 1.
Art prize for her stunning work which
Other Pittwater region students included
features as part of the gallery’s Express are Michaela Curnow, Georgia Klemes and
Yourself 2018 exhibition.
Georgia Westwood (all Barrenjoey HS),
Judges spent more than two hours deliberating
and commented: “The standard Luke’s), Isabella Curtis (Pittwater HS) and
Olivia Heaton and Eleanor Gordon (St
was very high across the exhibition, and Resmine Sionemale (Narrabeen SH).
making the selections was very challenging
– so much so we were unable to sepa-
praised the ongoing outstanding quality
Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan
rate some artists for each prize pool.” of the artworks which this year range from
Mali shared the $3000 prize with
multi-media and digital pieces to sculpture,
graphics and drawing.
Thomas Carr (The Forest High School)
and Zac Mrakovcic (St Augustine’s College), “Express Yourself reflects the artistic
with her work ‘Prophetic Marine Forms’ strength of emerging young artists on the
comprising sea creatures (pictured) and Northern Beaches as well as the quality of
objects made from plastic pollution displayed
in a vitrine based on 19th century Statements are displayed alongside the
our schools,” he said.
museum displays.
artworks describing the inspirations and
The $5000 Theo Batten Youth Art
influences that informed the works and
Award was split between Isabella Seeto
(NBSC Freshwater Senior Campus) are encouraged to vote for their favour-
the students’ creative journeys. Visitors
and Kyle Levett (St Paul’s Manly).
ite artwork in the People’s Choice award.
Express Yourself – which was opened by More info NB Council website.
‘Little Black Swan’
Kerrie using her art
to help conservation
Artist Kerrie Swan says she gets
huge inspiration for her works
living in the sleepy beachside village
of Scotts Head near Macksville on
the NSW north coast.
A lover of the ocean, the marine
world, animals and travel, most
of Kerrie’s work – which is known
collectively as Little Black Swan Art –
is ocean-themed or animal-related.
Kerrie is the Autumn guest artist
exhibiting in the rooms of Eye
Doctors Mona Vale from March 1
through the end of May.
“I am passionate about
conservation,” said Kerrie. “I paint
my emotions and the vibrant colours
I see – and I especially love colour!
“I try to capture the feelings I
experience and bring that to my
audience. I want people to feel
like they are drifting along in
the current when they view my
underwater scenes. I hope they
will connect to the beauty of the
amazing animals and environments
in which they live.”
Also, Kerrie created ‘Little
Tusker Designs’ after embarking
on an emotional trip to Africa in
2014 with a small group of animal
conservationists.
“The total proceeds of sales from
these designs are shared between
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
(DSWT) and The Askari Project,”
said Kerrie. “The DSWT in Kenya
rescues and cares for orphaned
elephants who have lost their
mothers through poaching.
“My art presently sponsors eight
animals in their care.”
The Australian-formed Askari
Project raises funds for The Tsarvo
Trust, also in Kenya, to protect the
last great Tuskers in the world.
They provide trained rangers, aerial
surveillance and rapid response
veterinary teams in the fight against
poaching.
View Kerrie’s work 9am to 5pm
work in EDMV rooms on Level 3, 20
Bungan Street, from 9am to 5pm
Monday to Friday. – Nigel Wall
36 MARCH 2018
The Local Voice Since 1991