CHARTS Finalists

Artist Statement:

Something Wrong is a poem that muses about existence, the meaning of life and the ability to express oneself. The poem infers that there is something wrong with the poet. His born and will die not knowing what is wrong or why he was born. So he lives, loves, works, travels through life without true choices. Even words cannot explain how to express his deep feelings about himself, his life and existence.

Artist Statement:

This tree represents Life. It symbolizes connection, protection, strength and history. Trees weather the storms and draw on their roots, in the same way we as humans can draw on our family and history and culture. Trees remind us to stand tall and proud, and to enjoy the view!

Artist Statement:

Over the last few years I have enjoyed crocheting many items. I have sold many of rugs and jackets all around Australia. This is just a small rug I made this year. I find crocheting to be very relaxing and therapeutic for me.

Artist Statement:
Our tenant Brian drove past this one day and like it. He took a photograph and decided to paint it.

Artist Statement:

Swimming with whales is a happy painting.

Artist Statement:
When I was a young girl I picked bush tomatoes with my family on the side roads at Alicurung N.T.

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Artist Statement:
The toxic components are hazardous to recycle. Are often burnt to collect its high levels of precious metals and release toxic vapour, substances and penetrate the ground which contaminates the earth.

Artist Statement:
Bastille Day in Paris, Montmatre, 1950’s. An ode to a bygone era. A classic romance played out in a street scene at night. The title is from a Leonard Cohen Song, “Dance Me to the End of Love”.

Artist Statement:
The Little Book of Aussie Nonsense Rhymes is an uplifting and whimsical Australiana re-write of a selection of classic nursery rhymes.

Artist Statement:
This painting represents a deep connection to our ancestors and keeping their spirits alive through passing down our knowledge, stories and song lines. It is important to keep this alive for all the generations to come.

Artist Statement:
I met Ron Lubo while attending a Hutt Street Centre programme at Minor Works. We had both been homeless but Ron found a place with Unity Housing in South Terrace while I found a home with Housing Choices in Light Square. Despite living at opposite ends of town, we were constantly bumping into each other in the street leading us to believe that, for some magical reason, fate was bringing us together. I took this portrait of the shy, quietly-spoken, now-ailing 78-year-old last year in James Place after bumping into him, yet again, in Rundle Mall and believe it captures a certain magical quality within him.

Artist Statement:
Kuginda- meaning: to hope through struggle. This poem was written for and about my mother, to acknowledge one of the challenges she faced in order to reach this point in her life. She went through a lot, but it made her a stronger, more caring, and great mother. This poem was about the trials and difficulties of raising so many children (that weren’t her own), while her mother worked night and day to support them. This poetry makes use of Kirundi (Burundian language), utilizing the phrase 'Kuginda' to emphasize how important this word means to my mum. I used the language technique imagery in the line 'this contest of freedom is relentless' highlighting the battle of responsibility vs freedom. As responsibility outweighs the need and desire for freedom.

Artist Statement:
Written during Covid while I was recovering in a mental hospital and I was dealing with chronic flashbacks. Writing helps me release trapped trauma.

Artist Statement:
I love to read and last year I read a book about Selkies. Selkies are mythical creatures who are half seal and half human. Selkies can switch between these two forms under certain circumstances. I was fascinated by this concept and this inspired me to take this mythology and adapt it for my own story.

Artist Statement:

I decided to create this poem as I feel as if it satisfies unresolved themes in the original story of Peter Pan. Wendy’s character had a mature, maternal presence, however her influence was shown to not have been felt by Peter by the conclusion of the original story, as Peter returns to Neverland. I feel as if this poem better displays the internal conflict and regret felt by Peter, and his newfound desire to return to the “normal world” displays that Wendy had a transformative impact on him.

Artist Statement:
This painting is about pure colour and shape, creating conversation and allowing your eyes to dance around the picture. It is taken to the maximum level, artistically speaking.

Artist Statement:
This oil painting was inspired by a photograph I took at the home of my friend, Callum. I absolutely loved the warmth in the photograph and knew immediately I had to paint it.

Artist Statement:
This was a Christmas gift for my 93 year old neighbour.

Artist Statement:
Jordanah Liston, 17, is an Adelaide-based artist who works mainly with pencils and pens. Shortly after moving out of home so young, art became an escape for Jordanah. They have been creating art since a young age, actively participating in projects and exhibitions. The theme in Jordanah’s work is nature and all things natural, and they also show curiosity for the process of death and decay. They try to express both of these elements through their art, and find the acrylic medium to be a perfect reflection for the beautiful work around us. Previously, Jordanah’s style of work can be described as ‘morbid’ and ‘intense’, however they are currently working on a more minimal, calmer style, using vivid colours and metallic elements.

Artist Statement:
Magpies are and iconic Australia bird, they are all around us in rural and urban landscapes from dawn to dusk you can hear them chortle to one another in the treetops. In this art piece I have captured their mystical dreamtime character to express my cultural heritage in using the red, yellow to mixed with the blackness of the magpie and my skin. Some may say that Magpies are nuisance but to me magpies will always be my Spirit Dancer.

Artist Statement:
This is my turtle, I painted this at school.

Artist Statement:
The lines in the wood itself made a picture to which I simply added colour. Feel free to touch.

Artist Statement:

This is my response to having my grocery delivery stolen off my front porch.

Artist Statement:
Moonshine came about due to having some extra time when my daughter started kindy.

Artist Statement:
This picture is of my husband walking our dogs. I was inspired by the beautiful day and the lighting and have painted this in an expressionist style.

Artist Statement:
I was travelling to Woodside where I was taking photos along the way and when I saw this image, I really resonated with it as it felt peaceful. I painted this artwork from the image I had taken.

Artist Statement:
Lemon days is about having lots of lemons in summer.

Artist Statement:
The inspiration for this art piece was derived from my love of the digital media game Portal and the main antagonist: GLaDOS - who is an Artificial Intelligence machine who loves science and experiments.

Artist Statement:
I studied the textured markings in the wood, then painted the story it was narrating to me. The light and shade in its contours, the blending of colours and textures ranging from seascape, to mineral rich soil, green hills and desert, and so on, make up the story. The viewer just has to interpret the story they see.

Artist Statement:
I love the way a shadow box creates a tiny, enchanted world where anything is possible

Artist Statement:
This is Elly May the dog that saved me from addiction and depression by giving me a purpose and a reason to feel love.

Artist Statement:
This artwork was inspired by doctors who practice operating on the, as far as I am concerned, unethical, field of cosmetic surgery. Society creates a problem for women around their body image and then doctors make money mutilating them.

Artist Statement:
I love the mood of this image, so peaceful. Although unplanned, the colours in this photograph work so beautifully together, in my opinion,. These light colours and the airiness of the billowing tent just further that sense of peace that I feel as though the photograph conveys.

Artist Statement:
City Cam, Google Streetview, Screenshot, depicts an anonymous body walking on footpath. The google street view camera can be seen peering in the shadow of the asphalt. Their image is frozen in a google time capsule, from a hand held viewing point. Though anonymous the body is marked in place by time and memory. City Cam, Google Streetview, Screenshot, examines the politics of publics and private space. The power dynamics inherent in bodies subjected and succumbed when living under a constant gaze. How does self surveillance create physical changes to bodies and autonomy? The work hopes to create discussions around the ethicality of being seen, ownership and agency.

Artist Statement:
This is probably some codswallop but seemed quite correct at the time of writing.