This is an oil painting of Lake Jualbup in Shenton Park, and its subject matter is everything a viewer might expect of a suburban park – quiet and tranquil. In framing the painting in a plinth’s silhouette, however, I invert expectations of parks and the associations we have with them. The environment is cut into a distinctly Western shape – perhaps indicative of the development of the land that will always belong to the First Australians. Plinths are often topped with sculptures and works of art, too, and carry an air of structure and formality. They would seem out of place in a park – more suited to a cold, lifeless gallery. Jualbup is a comment on the way we interact with our landscapes and environments and the ideas we associate with objects in our surroundings.
Akio Ho
In year 9, I found out that 90% of my friend group, including myself, identified as some element of LGBT+. Suddenly what had seemed like a vague, detached social issue became very real. We decided to make sure everyone in our year who was queer could be themselves without fear of ridicule, repercussion or harassment.
StandOut:
At StandOut we aim to create as many youth-focused LGBT resources as possible, including an educational resource pack and an LGBT-friendly business directory which is in the works!
Nerd Art:
Since being a doodle compilation in year 8, it's evolved into an online gallery and book, and a quasi-magazine-thing which interestingly enough has been read by two complete strangers living in Ukraine. Anyone can submit pretty much anything — poetry, art, anonymous opinionated rants, memes, musical compositions — and I love looking at all the amazing things everyone sends!
interview by: ella wylynko