The West Australian Pulse 2023: Great Southern Grammar Student’s seagull celebration part of AGWA exhibition

A quirky painting created by an Albany high school graduate which celebrates the characteristics of seagulls has been selected as part of The West Australian Pulse Exhibition at the Art Gallery of Western Australia in Perth. Great Southern Grammar 2022 graduate Henry Baker’s artwork ‘The Oracles’ was selected to be part of the exhibition among 60 other artworks by Year 12 visual arts graduates, from 36 schools across the State. Baker said he was surprised to hear his acrylic and pen on board artwork was going to be included in the exhibition because he had “forgotten about it” after completing it over a school term during his busy final year. Mr Baker chose a flock of seagulls, depicted in a cartoon style, as the subject of his painting. “I think we had some sort of subject, we had to do some sort of complicated thing,” he said. “But I think I just felt like painting some seagulls.” The graduate’s meaning behind the painting was to ask the viewer to consider what might be going on in the lives of the ubiquitous seabirds. “It was something to do with how seagulls look all the same,” he said. “Then I was painting them so they didn’t look all the same, and they all have their things that are going on in their lives.” Baker is currently taking a gap year and hopes to become involved in the art or film scene in the future, with a strong interest in animation. Great Southern Grammar principal Mark Sawle said it was exciting to see a student from the school have their artwork included in the Statewide exhibition. “We are excited that Henry’s artwork was selected as part of the exhibition showcasing works by 2022 Year 12 visual arts graduates from across WA,” Mr Sawle said. “On behalf of the school community, I would like to congratulate Henry for his outstanding achievement.” The West Australian Pulse 2023 is on display at AGWA until August 20.