A MESSAGE FROM THE

The Art Gallery of Western Australia is proud to present the thirty-first installation of The West Australian Pulse. Every year, this highly anticipated exhibition provides audiences with insight into the creative and ambitious minds of young artists who have recently graduated Year 12.

From domestic observations to societal concerns, from weaving memory to playing with fantasy, this year’s artists move fluidly across medium and genre to present a rich showcase which reflects the world as they know it. These works present an interesting mix of technique, originality, and creative interrogation, contributing to conversations on mental health and social pressures, politics and environmentalism, memory, and the passage of time. This generous invitation to consider their world views is an entry point to an ongoing dialogue led by the youth of today.

We value the work of every single student that submitted to this year’s exhibition and extend this appreciation to the efforts of the parents, teachers, and schools that encouraged these artists in developing their creative process. Through art, they have found a moment for reflection, critique, and expression – a necessary refuge from this fast-paced world.

Aligned to its community-minded values, The West Australian Pulse is a platform advocating for a life in the arts. While the importance that art brings to our lives is well established, we are seeing less incentive for engagement with the arts across society. The West Australian Pulse contests the underestimation of arts, and together in partnership with The West Australian, we amplify the voices of young people and support them in pursuing artistic ventures – personally or professionally.

The West Australian Pulse is a reminder that making time to create and experience art enriches our lives. I hope you enjoy the selected works in this year’s The West Australian Pulse and encourage you to vote for the work that resonates with you in the People’s Choice Award.

— Colin Walker, Director AGWA