UNIT THREE
SEMESTER ONE 2022
VISUAL RESPONSE TO PLACE
TASK:
To present, in visual form - one or more facets of life on the Gold Coast inspired by the excursion to Surfers Paradise.
Students were asked to consider the people, the place, the environment.
The result is an individualised, reflective response, with a depth of meaning, using the language of art.
MEDIA:
Select your media in response to the concept and your focus.
You negotiate the media - materials, techniques, technologies and processes that could include 2D media, mixed media, found media, 3D media, electronic, time based or new media.
Callum O’Connor
A Surfers Paradise
2022
Copic markers on paper
42x29cm
Surfers Paradise, located in Gold Australia, is one of the most well-known suburbs due to the multiculturalism, the beach and the clubs. With surfing one the most popular sports/activities of Australia, I wanted to incorporate the symbol of ”Surfers Paradise” by creating a scene which seems too good to be true.
Local surfers are constantly spending their time in the water and when it’s a good day to surf - that time out in the beach can really make their day.
By using symbols and incorporating the famous activities of Surfers Paradise I created an artwork which symbolizes what “Surfers Paradise” really is.
The beach is loved by the people of the Gold Coast and by using the beach to connect with the audience I was able to create my artwork “ A Surfers Paradise”
Cooper O’Neill
Black and White
Coloured markers and paper
2022
42 x 29cm paper
The Gold Coast is known for its fun, sun, surf and sand. It is a beautiful place frequented by tourists and locals who come to enjoy the warm tropical weather, beaches and healthy lifestyle. However, there is often another side to
this seemingly ‘perfect’ location… a darker side.
Unfortunately, Cavill Avenue and Surfers Paradise can also be a dangerous
place, known for its nightlife, drugs, alcohol, criminal activity and violence.
My artwork comprises of two large, wide eyes representing the different ways Surfers Paradise can be seen. Within this artwork I wanted to incorporate iconic imagery associated with Surfers Paradise and Cavill Avenue.
This positive imagery includes the sun, swimwear, scooters, palm trees and the McDonalds ‘M’ golden arches found at the end of the mall. I have altered the ‘M’ golden arches shape in my artwork, in keeping with the style of my mentor artists.
On the flip side, through the other eye, I have included some negative imagery including weapons, drugs and damaged property as some of the unfortunate aspects of this location.
Hayden Keldie-Genner
Missing
2022
Photoshop
29.7cm x 42.0cm
Covid has a serious impact on not only Surfers Paradise, but also the Gold Coast. With the teenagers excited about finishing school, one way to really go out with a bang is to finish off with Schoolies. The cancelation of Schoolies left many teens disappointed. For this artwork, I wanted to include the famous Surfers Paradise sign, but with my spelling mistake I wrongly wrote Surface Paradise, but for a comedic effect I decided to keep it. The negative space people show that they are missing due to covid, and as you can see the covid-19 virus photo is on top of the Surfers Paradise sign, meaning that covid is overlooking Surfers waiting to pounce again.
LUCAS YANG
Cyber Surfers
2022
Procreate
3333px X 2086px
Surfers Paradise has introduced many more innovations through technology
development in the past years and Surfers Paradise never stops changing. As
a result, new features are adding to the culture of Surfers Paradise every year.
This speed of growth makes people want to think about what Surfers
Paradise would look like in the future, perhaps when humans have stepped
into the new age. I rebuilt Surfers Paradise to think of the ‘future’ in this
artwork, inspired by futuristic city designs and games. Although, using the
city itself, it is easy for me to add the icons and symbols. The bright
neons highlighted the icons and logos already existing in Surfers Paradise,
while the blurry background reflected the unpredictable future, and anything
could appear.
Lyndon Carrigan
Bush to beach
2022
Coloured pencils on paper
29.7 x 42cm
Bush to Beach, COVID, border closures, lockdowns took away the shine and beauty of our premier tourist destination, Surfers Paradise. The drought had stripped the heart and soul of the land. The country is my lifeblood. Now it's time to bring my rural family back to the beach. Country people long for beach holidays. With borders closures removed the country needs the ocean and the ocean needs the country tourist.
My piece of art is to reflect my life in the country and the coast. Drawing attention to the shape of the iconic Surfers Paradise sign, uniting my family farm name. As the farmer reflects on his day, watching over his pride and joy, peace and silence can be appreciated country or coastal. The golden sands, water views symbolic of the sunshine state. The wide-open space, green no longer dust hazed skies. The defined line of green and sand no divide. The windmill spins fresh air of life and the breeze will be felt by all.
Nicholas Clayton
Cultural Difference
2022
Coloured Pencils on Paper
42 x 29cm
Surfers Paradise is the epicentre of Gold Coast’s cultural diversity, not only through different races, but also through cultures like surfing, life saving, groups of teen girls, and the culture of stores along Cavill Avenue.
Within my work I aspire to create a piece that represents this multiculturalism through a singular figure. This will include 6 different symbols. 1st being a teen girl seen roaming Surfers, 2nd being a woman in a hijab, 3rd being an Aboriginal woman, 4th being a man surfing, 5th being the surf life saving culture, and 6th being the shops and outlets scattered through Surfers Paradise. The face has been split into 4, to portray symbols that express each culture, the body portrays the surf life saving culture, and the background expresses different shops. The use of pencil was aimed to depict the fine details and shadows of each person, and in the reflection of the teen girl’s glasses shows the Surfers Paradise.
Cruz Ferris-Nathan
Graffiti
2022
Coloured Pencils on Paper
42 x 29cm
Crime, Drugs, Graffiti and Vandalism is a very huge thing in Surfers, especially at night time when things can get rough.
All this interested me so I decided to do the drawing about the crime at Surfers
Lachie Mayne
Surfers Paradise
2022
Acrylic paint on canvas
36 x 26cm
Surfers Paradise is all about the city. Not much goes on with mother nature in Surfers Paradise. My painting shows all of the nature with the front of Surfers. My artwork shows all of the three components of earth, sea, and sky which I have expressed in the painting.
I have tried to use the more natural colours in the artwork.
Luke Reinhold
In the eyes of a night-lifer
Digital (Photoshop)
2022
282 x 141cm
Nightlife in Surfers Paradise has become extreme over the years. From simple clubbing and alcohol to regular use of needles. It has left an impact on the city's reputation, as the after-effects of nightlife are revealed the next morning. Used needles and bottles are leftover from illegal acts such as drug use.
Within this piece, I want to incorporate the view of a regular night-lifer, commonly known as a 'clubber.’ The majority of the piece involves the image of Surfers Paradise during the day. Whereas icons such as hanging underwear and leftover bottles reveal the acts that take place during the night. The male figure in the piece is the main focal point. The man’s view is locked not onto the ocean, but on the large packet of pills. His shadow has now become a silhouette of a needle, communicating the idea that he partakes in regular use. Other than the now corrupted sandcastle on the shore, there is no other figure to be seen. As the piece is to represent the view of an offender and clubber, the only figure being noticeable is another clubber.
Jack Primi
Surfers Paradise
2022
Photoshop
29.7cm x 42.0cm
My Artwork done on photoshop is evidence on what happens in Surfers at night when all the lunatics are out doing illegal stuff.
Jonathan Paterson
The Collapse of Surfers Paradise Commercialism - 6 frames
Chalk pastel on paper
2022
21x29.7cm
Eventually in millions of years, everything man-made including buildings will decay and all that will be left is nature in it’s most beautiful state. My work shows the Q1, one of the main attractions in the Gold Coast sinking into the water while on fire. This is to show the two elements: fire and water. The Q1 is usually a silver/grey-looking colour, but I made the Q1 more of a mossy green to show how it has aged throughout all of the years.
Stephen Eardley
Surfers is open for business again
Photoshop
2022
42 x 29cm
COVID has had a dramatic impact on the Gold Coast in the past two years. As a premier tourist precinct within Australia the lack of customer has seen much change and an anticipation for the
re-opening of boarders and flow of money back in to the region.
The infrastructure of Surfers Paradise remains, though largely empty or deserted.
Within this work I wanted to incorporate the symbol of the light rail – the transport corridor along the Coast and utilise reflections to communicate a story. Incorporating iconic imagery and people locates the artwork within the tourist precinct and allows a vehicle to manipulate ideas.
There are reflections on the tram that speak directly to the signage that has been across Australia about Covid and testing centers juxtaposed with reflections of the glory of past days and hope for days to come – such as a Meter Maid. I have manipulated the Surfers Paradise sign to read ‘Open for Business’ with Princess and a stereotypical surfer awaiting the arrival of an influx of tourists. I chose to stay with bright and hopeful colours because as the saying goes –
‘Beautiful one day, perfect the next’.
