OPENING FRIDAY 21 SEPTEMBER

Benny and the Dukes welcomed people at the door with their incredible musical talent.

Benny and The Dukes is a dynamic 5 piece band, fusing the genres of pop, rock and jazz to create their own eclectic sound. Their self-titled debut EP was recorded in the summer of 2012, featuring six contrasting original songs. Since the release of their debut EP they have received 5 star ratings and reviews from Triple J Radio Presenters, and had their songs “Balloon Head” and “Rendez-Vous” played on local and national radio.  

If you want to hear more subscribe to their youtube account, like them on facebook.

MEDIA RELEASE ENERGIES 2012

                   

ENERGIES POSTER

ENERGIES IS : a regional exhibition all Gold Coast Secondary Schools are invited to participate.

PHILOSOPHY:  A non-competitive, teacher organised effort to promote the place of visual art in the curriculum and to present the diverse examples of excellent standard visual artwork to the public.

DATES:    Saturday 22 Sept. until Sunday 21 Oct., 2012

Opening is Friday 21st Sept., 6 – 8pm

LOCATION:

Timothy Leung

Timothy Leung

“The Dog”

Digital photographs, faux and real fur, found objects

This body of work reflects the metissage of human and animal identities; the co-existence of environments and of living. The beauty of an animal is altered through selective breeding, genetic sciences and animal hybrids. As a result, the wild, free and untamed nature of these creatures is forever frozen in place. The dog is domesticated and carefully bred, it may never go and hunt with a bonded pack its natural behaviours and survival skills are refined and hybridized. These images do not argue whether selective breeding and genetic sciences are right or wrong but ponder the moral questions. The plaited pelt symbolises domestication and control while the eight photographs display past freedoms. The nest and shoe capture a co-existent environment, living within the boundaries of other species.

Jessica Hall

Jessica Hall

“Thalidomide I, II & III”           

Photography and doll parts

This body of work is inspired by the intersection of science and the human form and serves as a reminder of how easily this combination can go wrong. In particular looking into the controversial drug Thalidomide and the trail of devastation and mutated bodies it has left in its wake. The use of dolls inspires the idea of childhood innocence being exposed to such a harmful drug, the water distorts the doll’s image as a symbolic way of displaying the horror thalidomide causes to the limbs of the body. This work speaks not only of emotional sadness, but more importantly of the victims.

Deni Paradise

Deni Paradise

“The Persona”

Bitumen and Acrylic paint on canvas

This body of work reflects Carl Jung’s theory of the persona as it represents our public image. The word is related to ‘person’ and ‘personality’, and comes from the Latin word for ‘mask’. The persona is the mask you put on before you show yourself to the outside world. At its best, it is just the "good impression" we all wish to present as we fill the roles society requires of us. But, of course, it can also be the "false impression" we use to manipulate people's opinions and behaviours. And, at its worst, it can be mistaken, even by ourselves, for our true nature: Sometimes we believe we really are what we pretend to be.

Amber Cunneen

Amber Cunneen

“Narrative”

Digital photograph, Cut book pages

 “Words are only painted fire; to look is the fire itself.” – Mark Twain

Building upon the axiom that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words,’ the body of work Narrative separates illustrations from their original context, and re-positions them so they chronicle entirely new adventures. Through this process the images become their own unique identities, escaping from the tyranny that the text held over their meaning. By depicting the works as a métissage of mediums; combining sculpture, photography and illustration, they appear as dynamic creatures, paused in mid-movement. Figures are shown battling elements that weren’t originally depicted on the novel’s pages, facing the threat of a colossal and all-consuming wave that manages to circumvent the constraints of the book and is only contained by a white frame. Narrative explores the multifaceted nature of story-telling, the importance of re-contextualisation and the many mediums within which information can be conveyed. 

Kayla Lynch

Kayla Lynch

“Félicita”

Digital photography

Félicita was the goddess of perfection, good luck, fortune and success in ancient Roman Mythology. These photographs are of my Nana’s tea set that she purchased upon migrating to Australia in 1945. Nan, Pop and their two young children moved to Australia after fleeing war-stricken Malta in a time of despair and misery. The larger image represents the gathering of family within a new country. The crockery is placed on tablecloths of my Great Grandmother’s brought over from Malta. They are a familiar heritage present within the new lives of the family. The sugar in the three smaller images is overflowing from the cups and other crockery items the same way that emotions are overwhelmed with pleasure in a new and affluent culture. This is a portrayal of the happiness and joy that Australia brought to a family living in fear of a dangerous and treacherous war struck country, it is a re-grouping.

Isabella McMahon

Isabella McMahon

“Emotional Vanitas”

Encaustic Wax on paper and glass

The image of the overblown flower, a common Vanitas symbol signifies the impermanence of states of being. In this case, relationships once full and blossoming can wither leaving a trail of tears and broken feelings in their wake, here represented by the cascade of petals. The physical presence of the petals on closer inspection hides the sharp edges that can so easily harm. With loves comes consequence, pain and the temptation to fix what has broken but once the petals drop and hit the ground they shatter and become almost impossible to fix.

Jocelyn Shield

Jocelyn Shield

This body of work, entitled Vivified, explores the construction of the human form through restoration. From a mother’s unconditional ability to feed life to a child, to the infinite processes of cell reproduction, the capabilities of the human body have been identified. The concepts of rebirth, recreation and reformation, have helped shaped this biological and dream-like, yet somehow tangible body of work. Through the integral sorts of clustered dots, surreal imagery and abstractly styled figures, the human procedures of replication and reproduction are spiritually and emotively presented. 

Beth Uttley

Beth Uttley

The brain is a perfect example of restoration. The neurological cells restore, renewing and reconnect pathways in the brain and the body to ensure we can continue and develop. Neurons create new connections to ensure we continue to learn, restore old pathways to remember tasks and human memories and renew cell to cell connections to ensure nothing is forgotten. The brain can restore and repair itself back to its original state after brain trauma or accidents. This self-repairing organ and the design of the cells inspired artwork all focused around the idea of restoration of neurological cells. 

Kristen-Lee Rechena

Kristen-Lee Rechena

Intertwine of flesh and machine; it has become a common aspect of society. The concept relates to the commonly present idea of rehabilitation, of the mind and the body. Rehabilitation is the context of restoring the old non-functioning with the new. Restoring through the idea of rehabilitation allows the folio to explore the depth of restoring the human body by intertwining the natural flesh with the manmade machine. The concept juxtaposes the purpose of diversity between machine and flesh whilst complementing one another by delivering the same function that was restored. 

Misato Matsumoto

Misato Matsumoto

This folio focuses on the ‘childishness’ within humans, and the act of restoring it. Although restoration is often referred to as an act of revitalizing, I interpreted it as an act that can be also done by putting an end to something. Therefore by restoring ‘childishness’, it is possible to clear away some of the society constraints that people are captured in.

Rainey Bullock

Rainey Bullock

Confined in space and with no current or flow, stagnant water develops. Assisting in the establishment of new life, stagnant water is seen as an initial source of development and an area in which various elements of the natural world begin to evolve together. The size of the stagnant body of water does not grow, however, the life within does. Ultimately, the creation of layers on the water surface and the space below allows a journey of regeneration.

Pauline Lai

Pauline Lai

“Aura of Enlightenment”

Acrylic on Canvas

As I get closer to the completion of my schooling life I continue to be challenged with the ever increasing expectation from parents, teachers and relatives that I should be starting to gain some sense of what I want to do with the rest of my life. This painting deals with my search for enlightenment, for a sense of what path I want to take in life.

Noelle Panlilio

Noelle Panlilio

“Directional Array”

Acrylic and drawing media on Canvas

This piece deals with how I see myself and the future that lies ahead for me. “Directional Array” is the term used for the arrangement of groups of Antenna or satellites by radio and TV stations to control or ‘shape’ the area of signal coverage. This term also symbolises how I want to broadcast myself to the world and live my life fully. Although still unsure about what course to take in life, at an age where I’m beginning to gain more independence, I face the rest of my life with vigour and enthusiasm. I feel that my identity is marked not by my past, but my present. With willpower and a solid foundation, I look forward to a future where I can broadcast myself through a directional array of people, places and possibilities. There are a number of directions I could take. The words illustrated in my painting represent the considerations that will guide and ‘shape’ the choices I make and the direction I take.

Moon Lo

Moon Lo

“How I See It”

Acrylic on Canvas

My painting focuses on the importance I place on freedom, creativity and optimism in shaping how I approach life. The feathers in my painting flutter in the breeze, drift, multiply and grow, morphing into Koi fish. In Japanese culture the Koi fish represent perseverance and strength as they fight the current and keep swimming upstream to reach their destination.

Cody Yakimoff

Cody Yakimoff

“Focal Length”

Digital Prints

Entitled Focal Length (a technical photography term) this piece plays on the idea of me analysing the world and myself; via travel, through the art of photography, through self-scrutiny of my actions and reactions to things around me.  I am portrayed as an active participant and an observer. Radiating around my ‘viewing’ self are circular images of photographs I have taken as I have travelled.

Rachael Scott-Young

Rachael Scott-Young

 “Sight vs. Insight”

Animation and Digital Prints

Sight vs. Insight symbolizes how society chooses to shut out and become blinded to what is most beautiful in our world, instead focusing sight on materialistic obsessions. The girl with empty eyes represents ‘blindness’ to the real world. The silent tear running down her face shows empathy as she is slowly consumed by harsh surroundings. The same girl can be seen with eyes and ears shut to the outside world, enabling her to be transported to a fantasy space with beautiful sceneries flowing together: forests, space, valleys, ocean floors, snowy mountains. Therefore we must become blind in order to truly see.

Melina Chambers

Melina Chambers

“Endless Possibilities”

Pencil on paper

“Endless Possibilities”, explores an individuals expression of their future, where its complexity is infinite. Four themes are explored within this overarching branch, with the first being the idea of one striving for something more in their life, but being bound by the ever passing time that runs through them. Further, the idea of immense possibilities of the future, where it is necessary to keep an open perspective regarding what comes in your direction. The third component comments on the unpredictability of the future, and how we can never anticipate what may happen; therefore we hope and cross our fingers for the best in life. J.D. Hillberry can be recognised as influential in the development of my style, inspiring me to pursue the realm of realistic tonal sketches using pencil as the medium. 

Ashley Taber

Ashley Taber

“Mutualism”

Ink on Ecological Paper

My piece addresses my personal spiritual perspective on the need to transform our present environmental exploitation into future harmony with the environment. This explicit theme is reinforced through the visual symbols of the deer, humming bird and butterflies. However, this integral symbol of harmony and balance with nature is particularly addressed through the symbiotic relationship between the flora and fauna figures, essentially symbolizing the relationship, we, as a society should adopt with the environment. This artwork is inspired by Anne Smerdon, with her innovative works influencing the whimsical, vibrant themes of my artwork.

Arden Vail

Arden Vail

“Series 1 and 2 from “Accumulation of Self”

Mixed media of gesso, oil pencil, turps release elements

My work is a true accumulation of self in the same way that I am a confluence of my roots. By connecting with my family history in the form of these objects in which memory resides, I was able to compose an almost visceral portrait of myself. My family relics embody both an emotional life and a geographical journey.  When I discovered Anselm Keifer’s work, I drew an instant connection to what I imagined my prospective works as. It seems to embody tactile elements of memory and emotional feeling in a way that invites a revisiting of what has crafted my emergence. “I believe above all that I wanted to build the palace of my memory, because my memory is my only homeland.”  Keifer