Far North Queensland

Title: Thuger (Warrior)
Medium: Acrylic on canvas, rafia, ghost nets and wool
School: Mount St Bernard College

Artist Statement:
Thuger means warrior in Kala Kawaw Ya, the language of Boigu Island. Thuger is part of strength, courage and fierceness. The interwoven mat background symbolises family ties, coconut palms of my homeland, and the weaving traditions that are an important part of ceremonial practice. The woven fish symbolises the water surrounding our island, they are swimming in front of the warrior, the Mayngu dhoeri (pearl shell headdress) shows the strength and the ancient ties to the Thuger protector.

Title: Impasse
Medium: Film/electronic imaging
School: Cairns State High School

Artist Statement:
An impasse is a situation at hand in which no progress is possible.

Title: Echoes of discomfort
Medium: Mixed media with digital image, textiles and shadow box
School: Trinity Bay State High School

Artist Statement:
Where are the limits of your comfort? Pushed into an environment I wasn't used to, at Daintree I was faced with the damp suffocating heat of the forest, itchiness from the annoying insects all around me and isolation from everything familiar. Discomfort is provoked by my distorted and disfigured self, prompting you to question where your limits lay.

Title: Unseen entanglement
Medium: Installation
School: Trinity Bay State High School

Artist Statement:
Our roots, our cultural history, our connection to family, our sense of self; a woman's braids are used to represent our tribe, power and family. The relationship we have with our hair, the process and details, represent and explore culture without others necessarily realising the significance. In unseen entanglement, the women of my family and culture are woven together. Waist beads and the hours spent talking, singling and braiding speak of our empowerment and the choices we make moving from girlhood to womanhood.

Title: Interpretatio Romana: Phoebus Apollo
Medium: Textile—ink wash, fineliner pen, graphite pencil printed on fabric and embroidered with silk ribbon, Kenyan beads and thread
School: Trinity Anglican School

Artist Statement:
Interpretatio Romana: Phoebus Apollo is a mixed media artwork that investigates Roman religious syncretism within the Greek pantheon. It is inspired by the Delian Hymn of Apollo, one of the Homeric Hymns written by Homer in the 7th century BCE. I chose to portray Phoebus due to his complete absorption into the Roman Pantheon. Greek architectural elements, such as Ionic-style columns, were combined with a Roman triumphal arch, symbolising both the concept of Interpretatio Romana and the success of religious syncretism. The hand-drawn illustration was printed onto fabric and embroidered with silk ribbon, the perfect medium for depicting floral shapes. Flowers like yellow begonias grow on the tree, symbolizing the contentment of the island of Delphi after Apollo was born. Other flora is embroidered sparsely to engage the audience and add balance. This work aims to evoke curiosity and awe in the audience.

Title: Orenda
Medium: Installation
School: Mount St Bernard College

Artist Statement:
Orenda (spiritual force) is the belief system of my culture, the Sioux Native American. It is part of all living things and is celebrated through 5 specific energies: nourishment, inspiration, knowledge, surrender and empowerment. The composition explores the flow of these different energies linking them together through the central focus of the ‘Lakota symbol’. This symbol is at the heart of our people. The vessels represent the intergenerational trauma and colonial effects of alcohol on First Nations people, not just in the US, but worldwide. The vessels surround the cow skull, giving thanks to life and the eagle feathers and stones symbolising protection. With the power of sound, the 2-chambered flute is used to accompany my artwork and pay tribute to my people’s energies, culture, spirituality and ancestors, past and present.

Title: Rose Tinted Glasses
Medium: Painting
School: St Monica’s College

Artist Statement:
Shifting from fear of the future, my work focuses on the comfort of nostalgia and a fondness for the past. In childhood, we shaped the world as captivating and magical, free from responsibilities. But as we learned more, the mysteries faded—science replaced wonder, and innocence waned as we discovered life's realities. Each new responsibility chipped away at the magic. My artwork aims to capture this lost sense of wonder, presenting the world through the rose-tinted glasses of our younger, more innocent selves, drawing from personal, cultural, and contemporary contexts.

Title: Flood
Medium: Digitally manipulated image
School: Cairns State High School

Artist Statement:
Natural disasters are one of the leading causes of displacement around the world, the emotional impact of this uncontrollable weather causing displacement and damage was experienced first-hand here in my hometown of Cairns at the start of 2024. As climate change intensifies, the idea of 'home' once a symbol of safety and security now feels fragile and uncertain.

Title: Vision
Medium: Installation
School: Trinity Bay State High School

Artist Statement:
Where vision and viewpoint meet. Exploring the complexities of human perception, I realised the lens of each person's eye provides a gateway to their perception. Vision allows you to look through lenses of the human experience to Daintree, encouraging empathy and understanding of how we see the world.

Title: Hot Bilong Masalai
Medium: Sculpture
School: Kuranda District State College

Artist Statement:
The masks are a visual representation of the tribal and Western influence in my life. Coming from a Papuan mother and an Australian father, these masks symbolise the 2 worlds I inhabit. The Traditional Mask (red oxide) was inspired by acclaimed Papuan artist, Mathias Kauage’ figures. His signature designs and large figures especially. The Western Mask (blue), inspired by famous pop artist Roy Lichtenstein, his bright primary colour and notable comic style resonated well with my personal interest of comic strip design and cartooning. Indigenous masks, especially spirits, are meant to look menacing, make the audience uncomfortable and intimidated. The large scale in combination with traditional and contemporary colour schemes with assorted traditional and non-traditional decorative elements is designed to both unsettle and humour the viewer.

Title: Memories in Disarray
Medium: Foamcore sculpture and digital image
School: Cairns State High School

Artist Statement:
The journey along the boardwalk leads to refuge to a cosy warm bedroom. On another angle, the bustling café transforms into familiar walls of a childhood home. This miniature dollhouse is a portal into environments filled with cherished memories that hold major significance towards shaping this artists’ identity. As the audience peers into each setting, they are invited to imagine the stories that unfold within these spaces. Invited to explore perspectives within this distorted sculpture. Invited to an intimate collaboration; linking audience experiences to the artists’ own. Memories in Disarray is filled with wonder and mystery.