My artworks this year have focussed on the concept of first impressions. My recent works in particular have centred on how superficial first impressions of other people can be, and how they are often a static, reflex judgement of an individual that dismisses and disrespects their long history and personal development. 

I have also been exploring the concept of identity and how there is not simply one version of the self, but how identity is comprised of a thousand different aspects of a singular person from others’ perspectives over time. 

I sought to illustrate these concepts through large scale portraits that visually simulate the process of creating first impressions. The viewer’s eye is drawn to the half-formed realism and short, vibrant paint strokes rather than the fluid and detailed continuous line portrait of the person, just as people are often drawn to the beauty and convenience of first impressions rather than taking the time to know and understand each other better.

I chose to explore this concept primarily in oil paint and POSCA marker on large canvases. This was fortunate for me as it meant I could easily trial and develop my concepts while offsite, and my plans remained relatively unaffected. The School had my materials delivered directly to my door and this made it incredibly easy to work on my art, without fear of running out of paint or having limited access to supplies. Having the materials in the house also enabled me to work much longer and more productively on my folio than I imagine I would have been able to onsite, and ultimately really helped me to create art I felt proud of.

While it was a different experience creating art in isolation, without the constant support and inspiration that comes from others working directly around me, my teachers and classmates were incredibly helpful and were always willing to chat and offer folio advice.

Mia
Year 12