Welcome to LUX 24, a celebration of the Visual and Performing Arts at Clayfield College!

I invite you to immerse yourself in this radiant display of artistry, imagination and talent. From the illuminating creativity of our graduating Visual Arts students in the LUX showcase, to multiple live musical performances, and the not to be missed dance and dramatic performances by Clayfield students, let this be a celebration of enlightenment, inspiration and the endless possibilities that artistic expression can bring. A testament to the culture of the Arts at Clayfield, the night is bursting with performances and exhibitions, so be sure to plan your evening by checking out the Event Schedule first.

Our wonderful ‘Fork and Walk’ dinner has been inspired by the tastes of Spain and China – a nod to the language options that Clayfield students study. We hope you enjoy the incredible array of delicious family friendly food options designed by Chartwells. Thank you to our hard-working P&F Association for providing the Drinks Stations this evening.

We are thrilled to come together as a College community in celebrating the Visual and Performing Arts at Clayfield – a night dedicated to our many shining lights.

Dr Andrew Cousins
Principal

LUX 2024 Highlights

• 2024 Visual Art Graduate Showcase as well as an exhibition of student artwork (Prep to Year 11). 

• Multiple performance spaces and stages with live music, dance and drama.

• Workshops for students to enjoy on the night (Pre-Prep to Year 6). 

• With a menu inspired by the Spanish and Chinese languages offered at Clayfield, you can also enjoy the ‘Fork and Walk’ dinner and dessert food stalls (adult and child options for purchase).

• P&F Association Drink Stations: champagne, sangria and general (for purchase).  

Please see the sidebar menu for more information.

Blossoms of Her

Felt and Upcycled Fabrics

1.5m x 2m

Rooted in a contemporary and cultural context, my experimental artwork features two embroidery hoops positioned side-by-side and centred on a lace tablecloth, creating the illusion of plates on a table. The hoops, delicately round and adorned with a central pink blossom, take on the semblance of breasts, invoking themes of femininity and identity. The work is a celebration of gender.

Inspired by artists like Patterson, known for creating floating floor textiles giving her traditional references a very contemporary feel, I’ve adopted a similar technique, adding an elusive quality to my creations as they transition from tablecloths and wall hangings to installations and from decorative crafts to art.

Diva Rumina

3D Felting and Beading

90cm x 25cm

My artistic endeavour gives birth to a mythical deity marrying Diva Rumina’s sustaining qualities with the grace of Mother Mary. Embracing feminine wisdom and tenderness, this deity honours natures fecundity, mother’s wisdom and the enduring, nurturing female spirit.

Diva Rumina, guardian of breastfeeding mothers and all nurturing beings, transcends mortal boundaries with her compassionate care. Mother Mary represents the divine embodiment of wisdom and eternal tenderness inherent in the feminine spirit. Encased in a reliquary-like structure, adorned with nurturing symbols and soft, tactile materials, my artwork symbolises a sacred fusion of humanity with mother earth and evokes a sensory journey into the female creative essence.

This artwork celebrates and embraces the female form. As we are strong and very powerful, we overcome everything that is meant to destroy us. We are the flowers that will still grow after a forest fire, as natures vibrancy (fecundity) represents this in my artwork.

The Known Unravelled

Photography, Metal Prints

50cm x 60cm

In this series, I explore the disorientation of reality through the interplay of reflective and repeated surfaces. The photographs invite viewers into a world where clarity is elusive, and reflections distort the boundaries between the physical and the imagined. Each image is layered with surfaces that seem to repeat yet shift, creating an environment of ambiguity that challenges perception.

The reflective elements act as portals, simultaneously revealing and obscuring what lies beyond. This confusion reflects the complexity of how we see ourselves and the world, often fragmented and elusive. Through the repetition of surfaces and their shifting forms, I aim to evoke a sense of uncertainty—mirroring the fluctuating nature of identity, memory, and truth.

By presenting a visual puzzle, the work encourages the viewer to question what is real, what is illusion, and how the two intertwine.

Mirrored Echoescape

Acrylic painting on wood

80cm x 60cm

My art is a landscape of the mind, a dreamscape mirroring the depths of inner existence through imagery of the external world. Drawing inspiration from surrealists like Dali and perception-questioning artists like Magritte, I evoke self-examination, challenging notions of reality and existence.

To challenge perceptions, I create a visual puzzle encompassing reflections of space and self, blurring truth with illusion. This evokes feelings of liberation, entrapment, and mystery.

Through repetition and manipulation of silhouettes, light, and shadow, I distort perceptions. Replicating reflective surfaces, I create spaces that appear both open and infinite yet closed and framed, defying gravity and traditional spatial limits. Juxtaposing these surreal realms with narrative illusions of 3D space on a 2D surface, I further challenge perceptions.

The mirrored aspect of self, beckons simultaneously present yet absent, echoing a deep emptiness amidst symbols of vanity. Utilising cut mirror pieces, I introduce variations of reflections and inviting viewers into my ‘Echoescape’.

A Mirror and its Subject

Clay

50cm x 50cm (size reflects my actual body size)

This sculpture, bridges my past work, introducing a new dimension to explore reality. By transforming my 2D reflection, depicted in my IA2 painting, into a tangible 3D form, I create a physical realistic representation of my external self, with an open head structure revealing a mind populated with Escher-inspired impossible stairways and doorways. These elements symbolise the journey, barriers, and opportunities of my inner world.

Using visual codes—yellow for positivity and darkness for negativity— I articulate my fluctuating mental states. Furthermore, I explore the contrast between internal thoughts and external appearances, highlighting how perceptions deceive.

My work shifts from the observer’s viewpoint to my own introspective lens, navigating the complexities of self-perception and the blurred lines between reality and interpretation. By integrating this piece with my earlier works, I create an interactive dialogue between mirror and subject, inviting viewers to question their own perceptions of reality.

Bee – yond Us – The ‘U’ in Unity

Beads, Magiclay and Felt

3cm x 25cm

Humans protect what they perceive as precious and beautiful. By bedazzling my bees, I promote their value, framing them as jewelled treasures with human-like faces to evoke empathy.

During June/July, the time between the end of the Spring flowering and the beginning of the Autumn flowering, bees become vulnerable. This artwork highlights our role in their survival. You can help by mixing two parts sugar to one part water and offering the syrup to the bee. You’ll see her little black tongue as she drinks, converting the syrup to energy within 10 minutes and she will fly away if you’ve helped her in time. This feeling is joyous.

While bees cannot thank you, I extend thanks on their behalf, celebrating our shared responsibility. This artwork fosters an understanding of the fragile connection between us, emphasising that their survival is linked to our well-being and the balanced ecosystem.

Tyger-Tyger

Ceramics

45cm x 30cm x 20cm

My sculpture explores the relationship between humans and animals, drawing attention to issues of animal exploitation. Inspired by the words of Professor Goodall, this artwork seeks to embody her call for a shift in perspectives to instigate change. The artwork displays two figures: a felted human face emerging from a ceramic tiger skin and a felted tiger face emerging from a ceramic human skin. By juxtaposing images and using association, I evoke empathy for the plight of the tiger (a symbol for animals) in this cruel world. The human wearing the tiger skin highlights the troubling connection to practices like taxidermy, where animals are hunted for their skin. The contrast between the human’s collared shirt and tie and the tiger’s chain collar highlights the power dynamics of man and animal. The ambiguous title, “Tyger-Tyger,” reflects the duality of creation and poses challenging questions about the nature of God and the coexistence of vulnerability and fierceness.

Getting Trolleyed

Mixed Media Installation and Appropriations of found Objects

Lifesize Shopping Trolley

In our contemporary society, the saying “everything that glitters is not gold” reverberates profoundly, particularly within the realm of consumerism. Influenced by media and societal pressures, the younger generation often feels compelled to embody the image of “shiny young things,” chasing after material possessions and outward appearances as markers of success and happiness.

My artwork captures through the symbolism of a shopping trolley adorned with colourful thrown plastics, fabrics, wool, wadding and jewels, the seductive allure of consumer culture. Yet, a section of the trolley remains bare, exposing the raw reality concealed beneath the glittering surface, serving as a emotional entity, symbolising the inherent flaws and fragility of the pursuit of materialism.

My artwork sparks contemplation about contemporary consumer culture, revealing hidden truths beneath its glamour. It encourages viewers to question what truly brings fulfilment and happiness amidst a world where appearances dominate substance.

McFacade

Mixed Media and Found Objects

2m x 1.5m x 10cm

Twenty-one chip cartons, printed with code, crowned with the iconic McDonald’s arches, filled with glistening fat and golden fries, and sprinkled with alluring red and blue capsules, hang together in a triangular matrix, linked by wires. Below, sits a futuristic unhappy golden “Happy-Meal” box with navigational buttons and gadgets beneath it, with a list of McDonald’s fry ingredients across the front. A golden unhappy “Happy-Face” emoji balloon hovers ominously above. Inspired by The Matrix, this artwork reflects on our manipulated reality, challenging viewers to question the authenticity of what they see. Using colour to symbolise truth and lies, I offer notions of choice. The iconic coloured Matrix pills, represent a choice between accepting an unsettling reality or remaining in comfortable ignorance.  

Through a symbolic language, I critique the concealment of truth, exemplified by McDonald’s “Happy-Meal”. Marketed as a source of happiness, it hides its negative impacts, beneath its cheerful facade. 

Note: My balloon had to be digitally photoshopped on because there wasn’t enough spacing when photographing my installation.

Neon Frameworks

Industry Tape

50cm x 50cm x 2cm

This artwork, a fluorescent grid crafted from industrial tape, embodies the intersection of formal design and contemporary consumer culture. Drawing inspiration from the organised aesthetics of commercial spaces, I integrate structured compositional elements to evoke the visual language of popism, characterised by bold colours and striking designs. The vibrant hues and geometric patterns reflect the manufactured environment that shapes our daily experiences. By utilising materials that echo the commercial realm, I aim to foster a visual dialogue that critiques and reflects upon the impact of consumer culture. This piece serves as an exploration of how colour, composition, and materials influence our perceptions, inviting viewers to reconsider the aesthetics of the spaces we inhabit. Through this experimental approach, I highlight the significance of design in shaping our interactions with the world, ultimately offering a contemporary commentary on the relationship between art, consumerism, and visual identity.

Feminine Flex

Mixed Media Appropriations

50cm x 30cm

‘Feminine Flex’ is a feminist artwork that challenges entrenched gender stereotypes, particularly within the male-dominated realm of rugby. It does so by recontextualising traditionally masculine sports gear, such as rugby boots, through a distinctly feminine lens, presented by adorning them with ornate pink rhinestones and miniature flowers. My work defies gender norms, celebrating female athletes and their resilience in the gender-biased world of sport.

I have included a delicate fragrance on the boots, not only to overtly feminise them but also to subvert the common association of sportswear with unpleasant odours. The juxtaposition of tough athletic apparel with feminine accents prompts viewers to reconsider gender roles in sport, igniting conversations about acceptance and representation while honouring female athletes who defy stereotypes. It invites viewers into a world where rigid gender expectations are shattered with every glimmer of pink and rhinestone.

Gender Reveal, Rocking Identities

Plaster and Paint

15cm x 3cm

In my experimental artwork, ‘Gender Reveal, Rocking Identities’, I created plaster replicas of found garden rocks, objects void of gender and gender associations. I playfully formed these rocks as if they were cut like soft cheese, revealing gendered colours of pink, and blue. They are a play on the contemporary trend to do gender reveals, defining a child’s gender before it is even born with stereotypical loaded colours. My work is an ironic play on this idea, and by associating genders to these unexpected everyday objects I challenge my audience to think about what we are doing when we announce gender through colour. Inspired by artists like Zoe Buckman and Kelly Reemtsen, known for challenging gender norms and showcasing strong women, my work adds to the conversation about how society defines us.

Learning Resource Centre

5:00pm-6:00pm | Faure Flutes | Flute Classics
Students:
Hannah Green
Sara Grima
Luca Gout
Alice Wang
Sherry Yang
Charlotte
Strickland
Lia Lee  

5:30pm-7:30pm | Art Exhibition – Upper Learning Resource Centre
Whole School Art Exhibition and Gallery Viewing and Voting for People’s Choice Award.

6:00pm-7:30pm | Workshops – Lower Learning Resource Centre
Creative Arts Fusion

Assembly Hall

6:00pm-6:05pm | Chinese Performance | “Sorry My Chinese Is No Good”
Year 7 students Finn Latimer and Luca Gout  

6:05pm-6:10pm | Vocal Solo Performance |“Always Remember Us This Way”
Year 9 student Ella Jesson McIntyre  

6:10pm-6:15pm | Spanish Performance | “El Amor es Mas Fuerte (Love Is Stronger)”
Years 5, 7 and 9 students:
Phoebe Lockyer
Maria Santos
Laura McPherson
Zoe Peters
Mahika Dhingra
Aimee Holland
Nadia Mansour   

6:15pm-6:20pm Chinese Performance | Seaweed Song and Dance
Years 7 to 8 students  

6:20pm-6:30pm | Musical Performance Wicked | “For Good”
Year 9 students Do Hee Lee and Ivy Jesson McIntyre

6:30pm-7:50pm | Official Ceremony  

Art Awards People’s Choice Award

Guest Judge: Rachel Burke  
Music Performance: Jame The DJ Sax

Black Box Studio

6:00pm– 6:10pm | Scene Project 
Year 9 students:
Juliette Cash
Maddi Fellowes
Tully Hesse
Ivy Jesson McIntyre
Evie Sheppard  

6:10pm-6:15pm | The Witches
Year 6 students:
Alegria Heinemann
Sari Weyer
Leila Geere

6:20pm –6:25pm | Rhinoceros
Year 11 students:
Grace Douglas
Jemimah Pala
Layla Sarruj  

7:00pm–7:05pm | Dance Troupe | “Let’s Get Loud“
Years 5 to 7 students:
Abril Cuellar Tello
Gabriella Turnbull
Leila Geere
Clare Burke
Alexandra Anictomatis  

7:05pm–7:10pm | The BFG
Year 7 students:
Danielle Firth
Layla Grice

7:10pm–7:15pm | Irish Dance | “Reel Time”
Students:
Henry Both
Isabella Buttenshaw
Amara Davis
Remi Heinemann
Scarlett McDonnell
Nora Packer
Eleanor Slaughter
Harriet Slaughter
Ada Rose Spiteri  

7:20pm– 7:25pm | The Witches
Year 6 students:
Sophie Morizet
Clare Burke
Grace Hunter  

7:25pm– 7:30pm | The BFG
Year 7 students:
Mia Palmer
Maria Santos
Koko Woolnough

We are excited to share the dinner and drink options available to purchase during LUX 24, with the menu inspired by the Chinese and Spanish languages offered at Clayfield College! 

Please note that all food and drink purchases must be made with EFTPOS.

Chinese Street Food Stall

• Vegetable jiaozi (dumplings), crispy spring rolls and sesame, garlic, soy dip

• Chicken or tofu honey soy with capsicum, choy sum and egg noodles 

• Chinese custard tart and poached strawberries

Spanish Street Food Stall 

• Spanish tapas plate: pata negra style ham, pan con tomate, marinated kalamata olives

• Chicken and chorizo paella with lemon

• Basque cheesecake with chocolate sauce

P&F Association Drink Stations 

Champagne, wine, beer, sangria and non-alcoholic drink options are available for purchase.

Catering

Thanks to the wonderful team at Chartwells for designing this incredible menu for the College.