What was the inspiration behind your work?

Having grown up in Glenelg, I have a strong connection to the sea. In addition to this, global warming is a very relevant issue to the 21st century, the effects of which significantly impact marine ecosystems such as that of the Great Barrier Reef where coral bleaching is evident. I aimed to highlight this occurrence through my artwork in order to urge viewers to consider how they are contributing to the issue of global warming and furthermore, how they would feel if one day coral reefs existed purely in a museum. 

Tell us about the creative process you took with your work.

As I had never crocheted or worked with textiles before, I faced a steep learning curve. I mostly relied on YouTube and looked at other artist’s experimentations with textiles to learn and apply these skills to my own work. This involved a lot of trial and error but once I got the hang of each process such as crochet and latch hook I was able to more easily and effectively incorporate them into the artwork. 

What advice would you have to Stage 2 Visual Arts students in 2020?

Go out of your comfort zone and choose something that will challenge you and your abilities. I found that I was more engaged and interested in this artwork as I was learning new techniques and trying new things. Visual Art is definitely one of the most challenging yet rewarding SACE subjects so persist even if you feel overwhelmed with your workload which can be monstrous at times. 

What pathway have you taken after your SACE?

I’m currently studying a Bachelor of Architectural Studies at UniSA. This course allows me to engage my creative side.