Every artist is their own harshest critic, and Year 11 and 12 students Chloe and Caitlin were no exception. Unsure if their work was good enough, they hesitated to submit to the Creative Generation Visual Art Awards – until a teacher’s encouragement gave them the push they needed. Now, their art has earned a coveted spot at GOMA, where it will be exhibited next year.

“Miss Clout told us we should submit our artwork, but no one in my class wanted to. I thought I would do it so at least someone submits their artwork,” said Caitlin, year 12. “And then, to my surprise, I actually ended up getting in.”

Caitlin made her submission by combining 2 experimental pieces that didn’t work out. Fittingly, the scraps of those projects became the foundation of her artwork ‘Framed’, illustrating the issue of food waste in our society.

Chloe’s piece began as a personal challenge to push her skills further, but it quickly became much more. Her piece ‘We Love Unicorns, Holly’ juxtaposes the playful innocence of childhood, with a subtle sense of joy and wonder as we mature.

“I wanted to do something really big and test what I could do. I wanted to try painting a person again to see if I could do it better than last time,” said Chloe, year 11.

“I didn’t really think that mine would get in to GOMA. It’s not ‘crazy amazing’ or the kind of stuff they usually have.”

GOMA’s Creative Generation exhibit will open in April next year, featuring 30 promising year 11 and 12 Queensland visual arts students. The importance of appreciating student artwork is something Liz Clout understands as Head of the Arts for Nambour State College.

“They’re quite often very modest about the overwhelming talent they have. So, I think a teacher’s role is to help encourage, support and nurture the students’ confidence in their work,” she said.

“Having a community around them that can come and appreciate their work is so valuable.”