For many, the most exciting part of the arts calendar year arrives each November, when the local art schools showcase work by their graduating students. This is the time when new careers are forged and emerging artists are discovered. Staff from The Church Gallery visited all of these graduate exhibitions late last year and selected nine outstanding graduates: Maria Blackmore from Midland TAFE, Andrew Bloxsome, James Doohan, Monique Fitzgibbon, Nina Jean and Natalie Topalis from Central TAFE, and Allison Davies, Miik Green, Ingrid Stotesbury from Edith Cowan University. All were selected for their fantastic individual ideas as well as their high level of technical skills and the ability to produce professional quality work.

Several of these artists’ work refers to our contemporary urban lifestyles and new technologies. Nina Jean’s artworks reference the great Australian dream of owning our own home and the “synthetic sub-culture of new housing estates and a glistening sea of zincaloom.” Allison Davies’ digital images are concerned with architecture and the complexities and stresses of everyday life. She builds complicated digital spaces to accommodate these elements. Monique Fitzgibbon reconfigures objects and materials from the real world, for example her 2D milk crates made from laser cut plastic are based on a configuration of milk crates and plank used by workmen as an impromptu bench for a lunch break.

Maria Blackmore and James Doohan are both intrigued by the micro/macro facets of our world. Maria’s cardboard Archipelago islands are juxtaposed with her MDF Bacillariophyceae, in her investigation of layers and dualities. One of James’ installations consists of pop-sticks, ping-pong balls, and dried paint forms, like magnified skin blemishes. They spread across and around the suspended panel like a disease enveloping a body. James’ other installation involves a brain made from bubblegum, invoking the connections between thought and sensation. Natalie Topalis’ installations also take organic forms as their primary source of inspiration, yet they are synthetic and will not change, grow or decay. She is investigating what is sometimes deceptively perceived as real and beautiful.

Miik Green includes the human body, fungi and organisms in his list of influences for his 3D forms. He has a love of surfaces, which is revealed in his sensual monochromatic forms and his abstract paintings. Ingrid Stotesbury’s work is also very sensual; numerous translucent fabric pods are fixed to the wall in one installation, and in another a pair of water filled, upright dream pools invite quiet contemplation. Andrew Bloxsome also works in three dimensions, he has created three large ceramic stacked vessels that have elegant geometric forms and defy gravity.

This is an exhibition not to be missed. Filled with vitality, fresh ideas and wild materials.

*prices valid 2003