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Art hits the big time

By Casey Neill
The best artwork from 2009’s Year 11 students is now on show at Burrinja.
The sixth annual Vivid Visions showcase features work from Monbulk and Emerald secondary colleges, Mountain District Christian School, Upwey High School and Mater Christi College.
It includes installation, film, photography, painting, sculpture and print making.
Upwey High School student Jessica Bradtke’s photo of her sister Samantha is one of the works featured.
The 17-year-old took the black and white shot from above using film.
“I just took it really, I didn’t really plan it,” she said.
“I liked the ground, it was black stones.”
“I wasn’t going to enter it in, but one of the art teachers said that I should.”
She was surprised the photograph made the exhibition, but wasn’t nervous about viewers scrutinising her work.
“I’m fine if they like it or they don’t,” she said.
Mater Christi College student Emily Hartmann, 17, captured a girl’s final moments with her boyfriend in her photograph Last Second on Earth.
“It all started with the theme of numbers,” she said.
“From there I sort of went to a countdown.”
“The photo represents the countdown of the girl’s life.”
Emily found the perfect location for her creative vision in Belgrave near Birdsland Reserve.
“I tried to get an isolated area with nothing but trees so it just mainly focuses on them,” she said.
“And I wanted the sunlight to shine on them so it makes them the focal point.”
Emily was “stoked” to learn her work would be in Vivid Visions.
“I never thought anything like that would happen to me, nothing exciting ever happens to me,” she said.
She has always done painting and sculpture, but was new to photography last year.
“My dad bought a new camera so I thought I’d test it out for him,” she said.
Emily now aspires to be a photojournalist.
Fellow Mater Christi College students Neredine Bennett and Christine Byrne took out the Vivid Visions awards for best artwork and encouragement respectively.
Monbulk College’s Bonnie Munday also won an encouragement prize.
Monbulk College photomedia teacher Carli Wilson said the exhibition was a valuable resource for VCE students.
“With this exhibition they have the chance to share their art with the community,” she said.
“This inspires them and creates confidence in their skills.”
Ms Wilson said students learnt about a community gallery, organisation and selection processes which was fantastic preparation for Year 12 studies.
Vivid Visions is on display at Burrinja Gallery, 351 Glenfern Road, Upwey, until 11 April.

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