High school students explore AI, humanity in exhibition

High school artists from Western Australia's south-west region have showcased their work in a professional exhibition, Iluka Visions at Bunbury Regional Gallery. This annual event, running for 35 years, provides a platform for young artists to display their talent and engage with the community. The exhibition has been lauded by arts educator and judge Charlotte White, who highlighted five standout pieces for visitors to appreciate.

One of the award-winning works is Emmasyn Dillon's mixed media sculpture, which received both the Viewer's Choice Award and the overall Best Year 11 and 12 Award. White was particularly impressed by the life-sized figure's construction and the emotional depth of the two-sided sculpture, noting the complexity of balancing the figures and the technical skill required to create such a piece.

Remy Mathieson's resin, paint, textile, leather, and wood doll-sized rat dolls also caught White's attention. She was captivated by the custom costumes and character backgrounds accompanying each doll, which encouraged viewers to delve deeper into the story behind the characters. The inclusion of AI in art is highlighted under this piece, prompting visitors to consider the question: Does the inclusion of AI in art mean the end of human creativity?

White commended the Year 9 and 10 Best Overall Artwork, All That Floats Away, created from cardboard, tissue paper, shellac, wire mesh, and bamboo skewers. The piece evokes a sense of nostalgia and wonder, reminiscent of the imaginative storytelling of Studio Ghibli animation. Additionally, White praised a collaborative work by students at the Newton Moore Education Support Centre, a stick-wrapped-in-yarn piece featuring pom-poms and beads, which showcased the group's creativity and teamwork.