Young creative cohort shines at gallery

AN Art Gallery of Ballarat exhibition introduced the region’s freshest, best and brightest young artists and designers to the public.

Showcasing the work of last year’s top, unique unit 3/4 students who studied VCE art and design subjects, Next Gen 2020 is the first time many have exhibited in a gallery, including 17-year-old Kyah Chisholm.

An up-and-coming drawer and former studio art pupil, Chisolm won a judges’ Excellence Award in the show for her piece Disconnected Generation, looking at humanity through portraiture.

“I decided to use charcoal on paper as my final piece, trying to communicate the disconnection between many people of our generation, drawing eight different faces to create one,” she said.

“I really enjoy working with charcoal. I love the way it goes on the paper, it’s easy to work with.”

Chisolm has loved the opportunity to share her work with a new, broad audience, but did not expect to receive any individual recognition.

Now deciding what professional path she might like to take in the next few years, Next Gen 2020 could have an impact.

“I really loved seeing my work being displayed in an actual gallery. I really enjoyed the whole experience,” Chisholm said.

“All of the other exhibitors’ works were all amazing. When I heard my name and artwork called up, I thought, wow. It was very exciting.

“I’ve really been doing art as a hobby, although this opportunity has sparked something in me, and I’m going to think about maybe doing it as a career.”

The Next Gen 2020 awards were judged by Michael Nichols, former gallery education officer, and artist, Stephen Davidson.

Isabelle Tomic won an Innovation Award for her digital photographic and video work, Never ending story, unpacking society’s 24 hour news cycle and social media.

Showcasing spray and synthetic polymer paint techniques on canvas, Jared Baum won the Creativity Award for Captive, highlighting key 21st century issues.