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Perth Now
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
WA school students' art displayed at Lightscape
Local and regional school students will showcase incredible art pieces this year at the popular Lightscape, which is making a comeback to Kings Park this winter. The family friendly event will feature more than 20 spectacular works by international and local artists that delve into the world of natural attraction. This year Kings Park hosted a competition for WA school students to submit their best drawn pollinator as part of the Lantern Luminance installation. It received more than 1000 entries and 88 submissions were chosen. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Winners from the Kings Park Competition: Evelyn Turnbull (9), Ayla Bebb (9), Juliette Rutstein (8), Emma Zappara (14), Courtney Bruggeman (7) and Aimee U (7) . Credit: Supplied The designs will be featured on the exterior of a lantern shade with WA's native pollinators such as the honey possum, red wattle bird and the blue-banded bee. One of the winners, 14-year-old Emma Zappara, created a colourful jewel beetle design and said she was excited to showcase her art at such a popular event. 'I have attempted to add depth and shadows in shades of blues, yellows and pinks surrounded by a range of Australia's native flowers and plants including kangaroo paws, bottle brush, waratah and lilac hibiscus to bring it to life,' she said. 'I find it a great achievement for my art and think it's a great opportunity to see my art illuminated in a public space at such a highly attended event, rather than simply sitting in a sketch book. 'I'm really excited to show my friends, family and my art teacher Mrs Corbett (from Iona Presentation College). They have all encouraged and inspired me so much to continue with my art, so I'm excited to show them all where my art has finally ended up after all their support.' Emma Zappara's art will feature on a lantern at Lightscape. Credit: Supplied The Nullagine Remote Community School and Strelley Community School were also invited to produce large, colourful artworks of imaginary flowers with superpowers. The students were asked to envision what their imaginary wildflower would look like, what it would be named, its superpower and which animal or insect it would attract, along with a short poem or story. Once selected, the works will be displayed as circular projections on the ground as part of Lightscape. Lightscape is a family friendly event and a 'unique experience' for everyone. Credit: Jarrad Seng. The City of Perth is also encouraging surrounding local businesses to get involved by offering visitors special promotions. A free shuttle bus from Elizabeth Quay will be provided to and from the event, encouraging visitors to grab dinner before or after attending. Powered by Hancock Iron Ore, the 'after-dark wonderland' is being described as 'bigger and brighter than ever before'. Visitors can soak in the ever-changing colour immersive soundscape under the stars, with the event promising to be a 'breathtaking and unique experience for everyone'. Winter sensation Lightscape is powered by Hancock Iron Ore this year. Credit: City of Perth City of Perth deputy Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds said it had become a highlight on the city's calendar, with more than 300,000 people attending the event over the past two years. 'Now in its third year, Lightscape 2025 is set to dazzle the people of Perth with 20 illuminated artworks merging light, colour and sound in the iconic surrounds of Kings Park and Botanic Garden,' he said. 'Make a night of it and head to Elizabeth Quay for dinner and drinks using the free shuttle service to and from Kings Park.' The event is running from June 13 to July 27, with tickets available to purchase online.


Perth Now
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Young talent gives ballet culture a ‘bad wrap'
The intense demands and 'toxic culture' surrounding ballet forced Charley-Marie Travia to quit the sport she loved from age 3 to 17. The Iona Presentation College graduate turned her experience into Stored Away, a series of photorealistic oil paintings of her ballet possessions covered in plastic. One of canvases, a representation of her favourite ballet dress, features as part of this year's The West Australian Pulse exhibition at the Art Gallery of WA. The 18-year-old also created eye-catching images of her trophies and pointe shoes, all wrapped in plastic to be stored away. While she dreamt of joining one of the great European or New York ballet schools, Ms Travia left the demanding sport to focus on her high school studies. Iona Presentation College graduate Charley-Marie Travia, with her artwork Stored Away at The West Australian Pulse exhibition. Credit: Danella Bevis / The West Australian 'If you want to take it seriously, you have to leave (school) at 15 and go to a different country and start a new life,' she said, 'and then your career is done by 25, at the oldest.' Now studying architecture at Curtin University, Ms Travia said the 'ballet industry is very toxic' with potentially detrimental impacts on the mental and physical health of young dancers. 'Whatever you do, it's never good enough,' she added. 'When you're in a ballet studio, you're surrounded by mirrors, so it's very hard on your body image. 'Mentally, it's a very tough sport, as well as physically.' Charley-Marie Travia and fellow Pulse artist Ben Ioannou at the Pulse exhibition opening night. Credit: Alan Chau / The West Australian Partly inspired by American collage artist Barbara Kruger's use of slogans, Stored Away features the phrase 'I was once your favourite' emblazoned on her ballet dress. Ms Travia said the Pulse artwork closed a chapter in her life. 'I can now move on to bigger and better things,' she said. Can she see herself ever dancing again? 'No, I don't,' Ms Travia laughed. 'It's a very traumatising career — I don't think I'd ever go back.' Mentored by Iona teacher Lisa Corbett, Ms Travia enjoyed the process of painting Stored Away but said she never thought her work would end up on a wall in WA's most prestigious art gallery. 'The standard in Perth, especially for Year 12 students, is crazy,' she said. The West Australian Pulse exhibition is free and runs until August 31.