AWARD-WINNING ARTISTRY

Sky Biesse’s exceptional creative talent has earnt her The Western Australian Editor’s Choice Award at the Pulse Perspectives Exhibition at the Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA).

The recent St Mark’s Year 12 graduate’s work titled ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’ represents the inner turmoil of mental illness, informed by her personal experience. The award underscores Sky’s ability to convey powerful messaging through her artistic expression.

“My vision for the artwork was to capture the inner turmoil of mental illness, in particular reflecting on my own experiences with it, in the hopes of creating a visual representation for those who do not fully understand the toll it takes on the human mind,” Sky said.

“The song ‘Don’t worry be happy’ was something I remember hearing during some of the hardest moments of my life and is something that was said to me to somehow make me feel better.”

The Editor’s Choice Award recipient is chosen by Anthony De Ceglie, Editor in Chief of West Australian Newspapers, in consultation with the AGWA Youth Advisory Panel. The announcement of the recipient marked the commencement of the exhibition.

Sky’s thought-provoking piece was also awarded the St Mark’s ‘Parents and Friends Art Excellence Award’.

“St Mark’s has been a huge guiding force in helping me experiment and develop artistic expression through different media; for instance, I never would’ve opened the gateway of possibilities to oil painting and most likely would’ve stuck to digital media if it wasn’t for the St Mark’s Art Department and for this, I am truly grateful.”

Sky Biesse, former student

Sky is pursuing a Bachelor of Creative Media in Games Art and Design at Murdoch University. She continues to nurture her artistic passions and is engrossed in a new artistic commission.

Visitors can witness Sky’s exceptional work firsthand at The Art Gallery of Western Australia until August 20, 2023.