Describing Artworks...

Sidney Nolan - Kelly Head in Arid Landscape

Freedom, Narrate, Endless

Ricky Swalllow - Come Together (2002)

Sculpture; Relaxing; Beige

Patricia Piccinini - Nest

Bizarre, Nurturing, Unity

Architectural Influence

I find it hard to accept that the architectural work that inspired me to pursue this field was in fact a boring display home. It was a simple 2 storey brick and tile, but with one main difference; it had a basement garage. Due to my love of cars I thought this was an amazing idea. Ten years later and I still try to incorporate that idea into as many of my designs as I can. However, I can’t bring myself to display a picture of a Ita Buttrose cheesily grinning in front of a Kellyville ‘display home, ’ so instead, the picture I have chosen, represents the style of architecture I am most fond of; that being renovated warehouses. I think the reason I love this particular style is because I've always enjoyed knowing how things work, and I am forever pulling my possessions apart and putting them back together to get a greater understanding of their working. That’s what warehouses showcase; they show “the workings” of the building; they treat water pipes and air ducts as works of art, and highlight imperfections in brickwork; It goes against what architecture traditionally encompasses.

Something Beautiful

My 1977 Toyota LandCruiserWhen something is known by close friends as: “The Beast,” some may find it hard to understand why I find this “Thing” beautiful. It’s wasted 3 years and thousands of my hard earned dollars; wreaks of petrol and oil fumes and can be out-dragged by continental drift. However, I re-built this car from the ground up, transforming it from a fully rusted grey work-horse that barely ran, into a vehicle that’s almost passable as a car. I have put so much TLC into it that it’s actually become “Beautiful.” (To me only apparently…)I love how everything about it is so basic and simple; all the instruments are operated by levers and cables; hinges are big bulky and very visible; and turning corners requires you to put your full weight into it. I love The Beast and could never bear to sell it.

High School Artwork

This is the main piece in my Yr12 Major Artwork collection. It is a representation of my local community; Woolgoolga (a beach-side town north of Coffs Harbour). The timbers used are: NSW Red-Cedar (main timber), Blue-gum (cogs) and Camferlaurel (paddles), all of which grow naturally in the forests in and around Woolgoolga. The Seahorse is the local mascot/emblem of Woolgoolga, and I have carved one on each side of the artwork to act like a “coat-of-arms.” The Quiksilver logo in the middle is representing the strong surf-culture of the community and the Jew-fish, sting-rays, crabs, and shells carved at either end are all found on the local beaches. The locations of the “paddles” has been tuned so that when the motor behind the cogs is operating, it moves the “paddles” up and down creating a slow ‘Mexican wave’ motion. It took 6 months to make and perfect, as I only used hand tools to and found materials. It is my own design, drawing influence from local artist Stefan Bruggisser.