Using art to ignite hope

FOR A BETTER FUTURE

The Nagle Prize is a national competition open to students from Nagle Education Alliance of Australia (NEAA) member schools. Last year’s competition asked students to interpret the meaning of ‘A flame for the future’ in their design, while linking it to Nano Nagle and the Presentation story. Year 10 student Nandhini Ramanathan took out the secondary school category of the competition with her winning design, which will be printed on a pull-up banner to be used by NEAA schools across Australia. We chatted with Nandhini recently to learn more about the meaning behind her artwork, which imagines a future where people reach out in faith, in a spirit of hospitality, compassion and simplicity, to all of creation.

Congratulations on winning the secondary school category of the 2020 NEAA Nagle Prize. What was your reaction when you found out you won? Thank you. I was very shocked and surprised at first. I didn’t believe my work was chosen at the winning piece! At the same time, I was also very happy and proud of my achievement.

How did you first learn about the NEAA Nagle Prize? Mr Clarke (the College’s former Director of Identity and Mission) emailed Year 7-12s about the competition last year during remote learning. I am very interested in art, so I just gave it a go. It was fun interpreting the meaning of the theme and using my creative skills during online learning.

The 2020 prize was linked to the theme, ‘A flame for the future’. How did you interpret the meaning of this statement in your design, while linking it to Nano Nagle and the Presentation story? I interpreted the theme by showing that the inspiration and influences of tomorrow’s society would be the people of today. People should be the flame—or light—in the lives of others, to give them hope for a better future. I connected this statement while linking it to Nano Nagle and the Presentation story by showing that Nano Nagle was the flame for the future. Their story is full of love, care and hope that answers the way we should act today to enlighten and shape the future generations. What meaning or message do you hope people take away from your design? I hope that people take the message of Nano Nagle and the Presentation story to continue to show love for others in any opportunity they can. I wanted to convey the meaning that people in this generation are role models to the generations to come. I also wanted to interweave the theme of ‘A flame for the future’ through my design to demonstrate that we should bring light and hope in people to create a better future. You obviously have a strong passion for creating – how did you get started with visual arts? I have been creating art since a very young age. I used to do a lot of artwork at school in the Philippines. I started out with very simple drawings, and I would watch YouTube videos and go to art lessons to develop my knowledge. I never gave up. Visual art is a way for me to communicate my thoughts, allowing me to unload my heart and soul, and help my mind process my emotions. What do you like to paint/draw/ create the most? I really like to draw mandalas. Doing so helps me get rid of stress, meditate and heal. Mandalas bring peace and a sense of calmness, so creating them helps me to concentrate, focus and feel balanced because they are mostly symmetrical.

Do you have a favourite spot for creating artwork? I create a lot of artwork at home, usually outside in my backyard. This gives me the opportunity to get out of my normal routine and create art where there are no distractions and where I don’t feel confined to one room or spot. I get raw inspiration from textures, tones and colours from nature around me. What advice would you give to other aspiring visual arts students? As long as you have fun, enjoy yourself and be unique with your artwork, you can achieve your goals. Even if you fail, recognise that failing also means you are growing.