Describe the ideas behind your work short–listed for Top Arts.

My works explore the conflicting ideas questioning whether we are truly all individuals, or just another face in the crowd. Through a number of symbols I worked towards creating a piece that poses more so a question, rather than a statement on how we view ourselves today.

What were your starting points? Where did your inspiration come from?

Often my observation comes from observing people in the city; on public transport, walking down the street, having coffee. I enjoy how it reminds me that we are all so very unique, in appearance, behaviour and personality. However also alerts me of the negative aspects, that at some point in our lives we may question our existence in the world, even feel small or overwhelmed.

What media/materials did you select and why?

My artwork combines photographs with linocut prints, collected textures and materials combined digitally and manipulated with Photoshop. As my theme involves that of the people of Melbourne and the Melbourne setting itself, I felt photography was the only means of capturing the life that the streets have. Contrasting with the detail of the photos, I wanted to take on an almost surreal aspect by having the linocut prints and finally digitally manipulating the composition to remind my viewers my work is about exploring thoughts on life, rather than creating a statement.

How did new technologies influence your ideas or working methods?

The photographs were taken mostly with a digital SLR camera. By using digital photography gave me the freedom to take many photos, preview them and alter them very easily through Photoshop. It allowed me to collage the materials with blurs and filters as well as cutting out objects.

What challenges/difficulties/discoveries did you encounter in producing your work?

Printing on such an odd and large scale meant keeping files of the photos and scanned images at the highest resolution possible while working on them. This made it a little hard working with very large files. The image also exceeded any standard printing range, so I approached a custom printing business.

What influences from other sources were significant in the production of your work? For example: other artists, literature, media, historical or political events. How did this impact on the development of your work?

Korean artist David Choong Lee’s elaborate collages and oil paintings of homeless people and recycling ‘rubbish’ into works that not only portray the street but use materials from the streets inspired me to attempt to try and give my viewers an immersing experience. His work often requests a deeper look into the work and to form some sort of opinion, even if it isn’t that of the artist’s; an idea I wish to also convey. British artist David Hockney inspired me to incorporate a fragmented appeal to my work, symbolizing the fragility of life and thus its importance.

What resources did you access e.g. Libraries, galleries, newspapers, magazines, art programs, websites, films, events and performances.

Images; that I collected from library books, newspapers, art magazines, image searches on the Internet etc. Images often helped me to further develop ideas and create new ones.

What exhibitions did you see in 2006? Was there a specific exhibition that influences the development of your ideas and working methods?

I visited the Pissarro and Picasso exhibitions, Stanley Kubrick, Top Arts and Top Screen exhibits and screenings. Pissarro, while studying him in the classroom, encouraged me to want to include more etchings or prints in my work. To work like he did with new technology and try and think outside the square a little, to try something new and explore.

Did you see Top Arts VCE 2005? If so, what was your response?

I did see Top Arts: VCE 2005 and found a variety of works that inspired me so to not hold back with my thoughts, to try something big and be free to express myself without fear of criticism. The variety of mediums, aesthetic detail and themes I feel was celebrated well in 2005. It presented a diversity that I and I believe my class felt was good to take away.

Did you refer to the NGV website – how relevant or useful was this site? Any other sites you found useful?

Reading the experiences of other Art and Studio Arts students helped me develop my own approach on how to tackle completing Studio Arts. By reading how others got ideas inspired me to just express myself and learn; to not worry about grades being the sole drive.

Discuss any ethical or moral issues or concerns evident in your work?

I felt the effects of the media had to be addressed in my work a little. So I included the television, street sign and traffic light, resembling direction – its influence upon our beliefs and actions, how we may be easily manipulated to think alike or dress like one another, merely to fit in.

Did you consider presentation and conservation issues in the process and production of your work?

As soon as I got the images printed I decided to get them mounted and framed professionally, as the images were printed on high quality photo paper, they were fairly delicate. By framing them I hope to keep them in the best condition possible.

What advice would you give to students undertaking Art or Studio Arts?

Studio Arts tests not only your artistic skill. Your ability to project an idea to the world and develop that idea until it is exhausted is also undertaken. Develop and explore. Be free with ideas and don’t throw anything away. Discover new things and put your heart into your work. A theme that is significant to you is important. But above all, have fun and enjoy.

What were the highlights of your studies in 2006?

Studio Arts creates an energy in the classroom that no other subject does. There are feelings and opinions being displayed on canvas, through sculpture and on paper everywhere. Throughout the year your peers mature and with that so do ideas. Having our works exhibited at our school exhibition was a delight and to be the recipient of our "Principal’s Art Prize" was an honour. To be short–listed for Top Arts however, was a dream unimaginable.

Are you planning to pursue a career in the arts? What will you be doing in 2007?

I hope to apply my interests in films and photography into filmmaking to become a cinematographer or explore animation. I have applied for the VCA to study Film and Television as well as Swinburne University.