My view on visual arts has changed since I first started this degree, as I have learned so much more about it and had my eyes opened to its history and diverse possibilities.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Arts) at QUT has provided me with so many opportunities to meet so many like-minded people, gain mentorship from tutors and lecturers, and learn so many new skills I would not have otherwise acquired. I feel so privileged to have experienced all the different aspects and technologies of the degree such as 3D printing, laser cutting and projection mapping.
Although it's something I'm passionate about now, the road to my degree took some trial and error. I took a gap year after finishing school and then moved to Brisbane to originally study engineering at QUT. However, it wasn’t the right fit for me, and despite loving art at school I never considered studying it as a degree. In the end, I discovered the course online and I've loved it ever since. I'm so glad I applied.
As a component of my latest creation, Aftershock, I crafted an installation comprising of more than 2000 pill cultures and accompanying sounds.
I was inspired to create a physical embodiment of emotions that words cannot describe. I also wanted to create a work that captures the complexities and weight of dealing with mental health issues. My process of creating this work involved experimenting with a variety of different mediums, including resin and cement, but I settled on plaster because of its tactile qualities and muted colour tone.
I also benefited greatly from the incredible facilities at QUT and their push for experimentation. I received incredible opportunities through my degree to make connections with industry through internships, exhibitions, academics, and peer-to-peer networking. Both my peers and academics provided me with support during my degree that was above and beyond my expectations. It was invaluable to have access to academics’ knowledge and experience as artists themselves. The support they have provided has also been instrumental in my development as an artist, as they have been so generous with their time and knowledge. The studios were also an incredible place to meet friends, get support and find inspiration at any time of the day.
I am looking forward to applying the skills and knowledge I have gained from this degree to my personal life and am confident I will continue to use it for years to come. Currently, I have two mantras I live by as an artist and a student. Being able to push through failures and learn from them is key to being an artist, as is being open to trying new things.
I have learned so much more about visual arts since I began this degree and have been introduced to its history and diverse possibilities since I started at QUT.
