HSC work in exhibition

A former Brisbane Water Secondary College visual arts student has been selected to showcase her HSC major work at a prestigious exhibition in Sydney over the coming weeks.

Eloise Genner of Umina will have her artwork entitled A Fable of Lost Innocence featuring a series of drawings using ballpoint pen shown at the ArtExpress Armory exhibition at Sydney Olympic Park from March 2 to April 25.

She will join 74 other students in having her work displayed at the exhibition, the largest of its kind in metropolitan Sydney this year.

"I'm really excited about having my work exhibited because I didn't think that I would get in," Eloise said.

"My family and friends are really proud of me but since I left my artwork until the last-minute to complete, I reckon they were a little shocked that I was chosen too.

"Some advice for any visual art student starting their major work - try and come up with an idea early on in the year to give more time to produce something rather than being rushed at the end or doing half of it the night before its due."

The local student graduated from Woy Woy Campus at the end of last year and decided to study visual arts in her HSC only by chance.

"Doing Visual Art in my HSC wasn't actually my first choice but due to timetable clashes I ended up choosing it," Eloise said.

"I enjoy art because it allows me to express my creativity.

"The theory side of the course was interesting, but I definitely liked the practical side most since I love to draw."

Eloise said she gathered inspiration for her major work from the graphic novel The Arrival by Shaun Tan and through a variety of ideas and concepts developed throughout the year.

"Essentially, my artwork is about the journey of growing up and losing that innocence that everyone seems to posses as a child," Ms Genner said.

"I drew my work using a ballpoint pen and chose this medium as I felt confident that I could produce quality work and because ballpoint drawings are a little bit different than what you normally use to draw, which I liked."

Since graduating from high school, Eloise has begun a combined degree of Bachelor of Teaching and Fine Arts and said she looks forward to becoming a qualified high school art teacher and professional artist if the opportunity arose.

The free exhibition will be shown in the Armory Gallery in Jamieson St at Sydney Olympic Park from 10am to 4pm each day.

Clare Graham, 4 Mar 2010 Interviewee: Eloise Genner