FREEDOM - BY PAIGE SIMONKA
My artwork is called ‘freedom’ and takes a critical view of the heartache of the prisoners of war. The issue of prisoners of war is a contemporary issue that is pushed to the side, even though it no doubt is still going on around the world, maybe not in Australia –but only because we are lucky to live in a country where freedom is the only option. Prisoners of war have functioned as symbols of outrage and patriotism, as figures of pity, power, triumph, and fealty, ultimately illustrating the human impact of war. This exact message was what I wanted to convey throughout my artwork. Both artworks were created by the use of charcoal and pastels on illustration board, creating a contrast between the black and the bright colours of the pastels. The first artworks shows an abstract fence with bright coloured flowers and vines flourishing from the top, with the word ‘freedom’ written subtly within the piece. The second artwork goes hand in hand, with a portrait of a prisoner of war. The colourful flowers are also present in this artwork and connect the two as a body of work. The portrait shows a woman with a large smile of relief representing her feelings of being set free after the war. I made sure the coloured flowers looked as if they were branching out from within the woman, as if it was weight lifting off her shoulders, or just relief that she is free. I think that effect worked. Both artworks, when placed together, tell a story of the prisoner of war and the relief and freedom they must feel when set free. I was particularly inspired by the artist Jim Meskimem, who has done various amazing charcoal pieces.
When all is lost, there is still hope - by jessica noffke
The art piece I created is called “When all is lost, there is still hope”. I decided to create my piece using spray paint, pens and acrylic paint. This piece is then presented on a 90x90 blank canvas. I choose to represent this piece as it is an issue that has been seen in the eyes of the government for a while, yet there is nothing being done to prevent the issue. I also wanted to get the vision of the homeless people out there and how they are feeling about what has happened to them. Most people come to the conclusion that these people must have did something wrong with the law or spent their money on unnecessary items to be placed in the position they are in, however this can barely be the case. I wanted to show that even though society might have given up on these people they still show strength in their dreams and well-being.
The piece I created shows variations of colours, mainly created with the shade of black. The shapes that the piece contains are a mixture of squares, rectangles and oblique shapes. I wanted the piece to stand out so that all the element of the picture is widely reckonable and the contrast of colour also helps the elements to have their own individual look, rather than mix in together. I also wanted the picture to show a little harmony and speak soft rather than loud to an audience. Instead of the homeless person being sad and grubby, I decided to make her calm and collective, as if she was in her happy place, rather than clearly on the streets. I wanted the dream sequence to take up most of the portion of the piece, I did this so that people can justify what the meaning of hope was in this scenario and it also is the element which blocks out modern day society and its surroundings.
I wanted people to understand the harmony of the homeless person, rather then they perceive what they categorise in the first instant someone says the word “homeless”.
The piece I created shows variations of colours, mainly created with the shade of black. The shapes that the piece contains are a mixture of squares, rectangles and oblique shapes. I wanted the piece to stand out so that all the element of the picture is widely reckonable and the contrast of colour also helps the elements to have their own individual look, rather than mix in together. I also wanted the picture to show a little harmony and speak soft rather than loud to an audience. Instead of the homeless person being sad and grubby, I decided to make her calm and collective, as if she was in her happy place, rather than clearly on the streets. I wanted the dream sequence to take up most of the portion of the piece, I did this so that people can justify what the meaning of hope was in this scenario and it also is the element which blocks out modern day society and its surroundings.
I wanted people to understand the harmony of the homeless person, rather then they perceive what they categorise in the first instant someone says the word “homeless”.