[CDU eNews] - ART SHOWS AT CDU

[Peter.Hurt at cdu.edu.au]

Students display a fine artistic touch

Visual arts and crafts students at Charles Darwin University have put their
work on display in a celebration of achievement at both Higher Education
and VET level.

The displays, entitled WOW and Be Zaar, mark the end of semester - and
exams.

Creative arts lecturer Anne Ooms said the Be Zaar exhibition featured work
by Higher Education students who are completing their Bachelor of Visual
Arts degrees mid-year. "This exhibition is the culmination of three years
of study and is a popular event on the Darwin visual arts calendar."

Arts lecturer and coordinator Russell Lilford said the WOW exhibition
featured works by VET students in which they paid homage to leading
artists, such as Monet, Modigliani and Clifford Possum. Mr Lilford issued a
challenge to students and staff: "Come down and look at the paintings on
display and see if you can tell the difference between students' work and
the real thing."

Be Zaar features work by Kylie Bent (animation), Aly de Groot  (sculpture,
photography), Kathy Hillery  (sculpture), Cherie Kummer (drawing), Angeline
Ross (embroidery) and Phillip Shields (installation).

Ms Ooms said: "Aly de Groot's Too hard Baskets are dysfunctional woven
baskets made from natural fibres, tree sap and road kill, symbols of the
messy reality of life.

"Kathy Hillery has created some exquisitely delicate, body casts made from
string, tissue paper and plaster.  Exciting young digital artist Kylie Bent
has produced a delightful and witty animation capturing the perennial
problem of artist's block called For lack Of An idea and intends to head
interstate next year to pursue her dream of being a professional animator.

"Meanwhile, take a second look at Cherie's Kummer's humble carbon paper
drawings to discover the perverse, erotic and be zaar.

"The undergraduate program in visual arts at Charles Darwin University is
recognised as a crucial component in the cultural life of the Northern
Territory and continues to produce strong graduates who go on to diverse
and successful careers in the arts both here and interstate."

Mr Lilford said the VET students were studying for a Certificate IV in
Visual Art and Contemporary Craft. They are Darren Webber, Mell Plumb,
Jenny Nixon, Kim Mackenzie, Andrew Haynes, Lynda Chin and Susan Deveraux.

"This is a foundation year for many of these students, who are using the
VET courses as a pathway to Higher Education," Mr Lilford said. "Some of
the works on display this week have resulted from exercises in which they
have been required to pay homage to an artist's work, take his or her style
into account and emulate it."

·     Be Zaar is open until Friday July 1, from 9am to 5.30pm in Building
14.
·     WOW is open until Friday, July 8, from 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday,
in Building 12

Anne Ooms and Russell Lilford are available for interview


Peter Hurt
Media Manager
Charles Darwin University
Tel: 08 8946 6019 or 0438 466 439

CRICOS Provider No: 00300K