Great-grandfather immortalised at AGWA Pulse exhibition
Ms Beagley is 'Pulse-famous', as one of 61 talented youngsters featured in this year's showcase of Year 12 visual arts graduates, which opened on May 3 at the Art Gallery of WA.
The 18-year-old from Gidgegannup immortalised her beloved great-grandfather, Melvin Bristow, in a painting and projection work titled Reflections of Light, Life and Love.
The Narembeen wheat farmer died in 2023 at age 98, while Ms Beagley was in her final year at Swan Christian College in Middle Swan.
Encouraged by visual arts teacher Cherie Mongony, Ms Beagley spent around 15 weeks painting a poignant portrait of her 'Pa.' Lola Beagley (Swan Christian College): Reflections of Light, Life and Love. Credit: Photo: Christophe Canato / TheWest
'Our theme was perspectives and personal identity, so I wanted to portray my value of family,' she said.
She used a favourite photograph to paint Mr Bristow fondly looking at a slideshow of images from his life in the Wheatbelt, some of which appear on the painting via an acetone tissue transfer.
Mr Bristow grew up on the family farm in Narembeen before taking over from his father.
'He was a farmer through and through,' Ms Beagley said.
The painting faces a wall onto which photos from Mr Bristow's life are projected.
'He has a glint in his eye,' Ms Beagley said.
'He was good at athletics as a kid, and my siblings and I are pretty active and like sports, so he used to talk about his running.'
Mr Bristow was also a fan of Jack Russell terriers, which feature in the slideshow alongside horses, old farm equipment and plenty of family snapshots.
'I was really lucky to have a good relationship with my great-grandparents,' she said.
'Whenever we could, we would see them.'
Ms Beagley's great-grandmother Iris Bristow turns 100 in June. Lola Beagley is among the talented Year 12 graduates in this year's The West Australian Pulse exhibition thanks to her lovely portrait of her late great-grandfather. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian
Ms Beagley is studying nursing at Edith Cowan University in Joondalup but plans to continue painting as a hobby.
'It's a good creative outlet and good for mental health,' she said.
She said she feels 'super privileged and proud' to have her painting, which is 'definitely staying in the family,' in this year's Pulse exhibition.
'It's an honour to have my work part of this.'
Or as one of the Blue Gum students put it: 'That's so cool.'
The West Australian Pulse exhibition is free and runs to August 31.
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