By Tania Martin
Picture: Luke
Plummer
MONBULK College student Emily Simek has been chosen as one of 60 budding artists for this year’s Top Arts exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria.
The exhibition is made up of work from the 2008 Victorian Year-12 art curriculum, featuring students who scored a perfect 50 for the subject.
Each VCE subject is judged using a mark out of 50 for the whole year.
Emily last year scored that elusive 50 and was short-listed for the exhibition.
“Mum was so shocked she dropped the glass she was holding – she was so excited,” she said.
“It’s cool. It’s my first major exhibition, and to have it at the National Gallery of Victoria is amazing.”
While not knowing for sure what she wants to do with her life, Emily sees art as a real possibility, since she spends most of her time with a paintbrush or pencil in hand.
Now in Year 12, the 17-year-old is continuing her arts studies and also takes drawing classes outside school.
The painting featured in the Top Arts show is of a woman who works with Emily’s sister.
“It’s a real cultural theme – looking at new and different people and their cultural background,” she said.
Making Top Arts had been a top priority for Emily.
“Making it says you have potential. It’s what I worked towards for the whole year.”
Emily was chosen for the exhibition out of an initial 3000 students who were short-listed to 150 before the final 60 were chosen.
The exhibition will open on Wednesday 25 March and run until 14 June.
“It’s so exciting to be able to walk in the National Gallery of Victoria and see my work on the walls,” Emily said.
