Former Glen Innes High School student Sarah Woolfe has been recognised for her artistic achievements in the ARTEXPESS 2021 exhibition.
The Art Gallery of New South Wales ARTEXPRESS 2021 focused on celebrating resilience and the next generation of Australian artists. The exhibition showcases outstanding works of art created by NSW students who overcame many hurdles to complete the Higher School Certificate (HSC) Visual Arts examination in 2020.
Sarah's drawing titled Still is among one of the 48 artworks selected from the 8617 student works submitted for the 2020 HSC.
The works accepted into the exhibition is by students from government and non-government schools from across metropolitan and regional NSW.
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Sarah couldn't believe it when she had her work selected to be on display at the exhibition.
"I was excited and pretty shocked to have been selected for it," she said.
"It is a surreal feeling."
Sarah put in many hours to complete the series of artworks for her HSC major project and was rewarded by receiving the top result of band six in Visual Arts.
"It took me around 10 months to a year to complete the drawings for my HSC major project," she said.
When selecting what subject she would use as inspiration for her artwork, she chose something she felt connected to. She choose to draw shearing sheds that have been in her family for years.
"I have always loved the old sheds and how each have their own unique stories within them. I think that is what made me want to draw them," she said.
Being from a smaller school centre Sarah was thrilled to have the chance to represent he school.
"Being from a small country town, it's not very often someone gets picked to present their work. It is definitely a privilege," she said.
"Although I don't think I will pursue art it will definitely always be a hobby."
Art Gallery of NSW curator of ARTEXPRESS 2021 Louise Halpin said this year's exhibition offers an insight into the hearts and minds of young people during a very difficult year.
"ARTEXPRESS 2021 is a showcase of extraordinary bodies of work exploring a range of both global and deeply personal themes - from the environment, urban life and beauty of the natural world to identity, relationships and reflection on the 2020 experience," Ms Halpin said.
Seven other 2020 HSC graduates from New England and North West public schools were included in ARTEXPRESS nominations announced at the Art Gallery of NSW last night. They were:
- Louisa Gilmour from Warialda High School expressive form Printmaking titled 'Everything that grows holds a little moment of perfection - I am myself alone' Tamworth Regional Gallery New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM)
- Charlotte Baker Oxley High School with a Collection of Works titled Phonophobia Tamworth Regional Gallery Hazelhurst Arts Centre
- Elly Chapple from Oxley High School expression form Photomedia titled D. Chapple, 82 Tamworth Regional Gallery New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM)
- Chloe Jade Flegerbein from Moree Secondary College Albert St Campus expression Drawing titled Respect the Drip Tamworth Regional Gallery New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM)
- Jackson Moir from Inverell High School expression form Drawing titled Portraits of Three Musicians New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM)
- Juliet Knuckey from Armidale Secondary College for Collection of Works titled Self Portrait (2020) Tamworth Regional Gallery New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM)
- Noah Standen-Roberts from Armidale Secondary College expressive form Drawing titled A Series of Lessons Tamworth Regional Gallery Art Gallery of New South Wales - AGNSW
