The Arts

Congratulations to the Swinburne Secondary College Students Shortlisted for the 2024 Season of Excellence!

Swinburne Secondary College is proud to announce the incredible achievements of our students who have been shortlisted for the prestigious VCE Season of Excellence. This is a remarkable recognition of their outstanding creativity, innovation, and dedication to their craft. The shortlisted students have demonstrated exceptional skill, depth, and originality in their work, each offering a unique perspective on themes ranging from social dynamics and personal identity to the human experience. Let's celebrate their extraordinary contributions to the arts and design!

Josie Sullivan – Top Arts Shortlisted

Heaven on Stampede! - Getting Snake Murdered

Josie Sullivan’s work explores the complex themes of martyrdom, gender, and societal power dynamics through a bold and striking visual language. Her piece, Heaven on Stampede!, challenges traditional notions of gender and power, using the human body—both living and dead—as a central metaphor. The use of oil paint on canvas, fabric, wood, and even human hair imbues the work with a deeply visceral quality. Josie’s exploration of male masochism and the internal struggle of women is a powerful commentary on the intersection of politics, biology and social norms. Her influences, from the work of Odd Nerdrum to the philosophy of Angela Davis, have contributed to the creation of a thought-provoking and multi-layered piece.

Death and the Hierophant

In collaboration with Max Bradley-McFawn, Josie presents Death and the Hierophant, a profound installation that addresses the tension between life and death in contemporary society. This joint work reflects the degradation of the Freudian life drive (Eros) and the rise of the death drive (Thanatos) in modern culture. Through a combination of oil and acrylic painting, sculpture and found objects, Josie and Max create a visually striking and tonally ambiguous environment. This installation invites the viewer to reflect on the commodification of cultural practices and the erosion of life-affirming traditions. Their work, drawing inspiration from Freud’s Civilisation and Its Discontents and the darkly comedic tone of Jam (2000), is a haunting commentary on the suppression of creativity in today’s world.

Indigo Gordon – Top Arts Shortlisted

Membrane Wulf

Indigo Gordon’s digital animation, Membrane Wulf, immerses the viewer in an eerie Southern gothic world where the alienation, creation and hunt of a wolf-dog unfold. Using a mix of digital drawing, traditional animation and collage, Indigo explores deep themes of folklore, genetics, environmental influences and the body. The recurring glowing red circles symbolising the cyclical nature of conflict within the wolf-dog, as well as the creature’s struggle with its identity, evokes the messy, angry side of humanity. Indigo’s work invites viewers into a dark, symbolic world while also reflecting on the emotional and social consequences of alienation.

Ingrid Cardak – Top Arts Shortlisted

Ingrid Cardak’s series of works, based on the concept of Patternism, has garnered significant attention for its intricate exploration of natural patterns through the art of origami. Ingrid’s pieces showcase the intersections of nature and art through carefully selected papers and folding techniques, creating stunning representations of natural phenomena. From the veins of leaves to the eroded sandstone formations of The Wave in Arizona, Ingrid’s work celebrates the beauty of repetition, structure and the organic patterns that shape our world.

Meander, Erode, Tessellate, Repeat

Ingrid’s pieces take us on a journey through nature’s patterns, from the delicate veining of leaves in Meander, to the gradual erosion seen in Erode and the tessellating scales of marine animals in Tessellate. Each work is an exploration of the mathematical and organic patterns found in nature, brought to life through the art of origami. Ingrid’s careful use of mulberry leaf papers and other natural materials emphasises the tactile beauty of these ancient patterns, creating artworks that are as much about process as they are about the final form.

Leia Golwyn – Top Design Shortlisted

Leia Golwyn’s work in interactive and messages design fields highlights her ability to blend user involvement with strategic design thinking. Her project focuses on creating inclusive, user-centred design experiences that prioritise accessibility and functionality. By integrating colour psychology and clear iconography, Leia ensures that her designs are not only effective but also accessible to a wide range of audiences. Her ability to tailor designs to user needs through trials, surveys and feedback demonstrates her commitment to inclusive and thoughtful design practices.

Perry Moon – Top Screens Shortlisted

Bloom

Perry Moon’s short film Bloom is a raw and emotionally powerful drama that deals with the realities of caregiving, particularly the emotional toll it takes on family relationships when dealing with a loved one’s dementia. The film aims to evoke empathy and understanding by portraying the complexities of caregiving, focusing on the bond between a father and his son. Perry’s approach, rooted in naturalism and realism, provides a deeply intimate glimpse into the emotional landscape of families facing illness. Through a slow pacing and verité style, Bloom not only raises awareness of dementia but also sparks reflection on the universal human experience of aging, illness, and the challenges of maintaining relationships.

A Big Congratulations!

We are incredibly proud of these talented Swinburne Secondary College students whose work has been shortlisted for the 2024 Season of Excellence. Your creativity, passion and hard work have not only been recognised but celebrated at a prestigious level. Each of you have demonstrated exceptional skill and vision in your respective fields, and we look forward to seeing where your talents take you in the future.

Congratulations, once again, to all the arts students at Swinburne. Keep pushing boundaries and challenging conventions—your voices are important.

Swinburne Staff - Art Under the Oak Tree: A Creative Day in the Sun

On a brilliant and sun-filled day, Swinburne Senior Secondary College staff came together to embrace their artistic sides in a truly unique setting—underneath the majestic oak tree on campus. The event provided an opportunity for staff to step away from their usual routines and immerse themselves in the calming and inspiring practice of en plein air painting.

With brushes in hand and easels set up around the oak’s sprawling branches, participants dove into the world of colour theory, learning how to mix and apply hues to their canvases with creativity and precision. The atmosphere was alive with the sounds of nature, the soft rustling of leaves and the background hum of music that filled the air, setting the perfect tone for the day’s artistic journey.

The warm sunlight filtered through the oak’s canopy, creating a serene and inspiring environment for the staff to connect not only with their own creative instincts, but with each other as well. As brushstrokes danced across the canvas, there was a collective sense of joy and relaxation— a reminder of the importance of creativity and mindfulness in both work and life.

At the heart of the event was more than just the creation of art—it was about fostering a sense of community, well-being and collaboration. The day was a celebration of shared experiences, self-expression and the beautiful surroundings of the Swinburne campus.

It was truly a day to remember—one where staff could indulge in the joy of art all under the shade of the beloved oak tree. Here's to more creative moments that bring our community together in the future!