CREATIVITY AT AN ALL TIME HIGH

Elaf Elsheikh’s short media animation film, Recycled, was recently accepted into VCAA Top Screens as part of the 2021 VCAA Top Designs: an annual exhibition at Melbourne Museum.

In the words of Elaf’s Media teacher, Toly Sawenko, Recycled is a “poignant, heartfelt short film” that follows a boy’s coming of age story as he realises his impact on the environment. Elaf drew inspiration for Recycled from the complexities of global warming and more specifically, deforestation. “I felt climate change has been readily discussed and more people are [looking] to reduce their carbon footprint but fail to recognise their contribution to the cutting down of thousands of trees each second,” Elaf said. A gifted artist passionate about her craft, Elaf’s artwork graced the cover of the 2019 Southern Cross Grammar Yearbook. She was also recipient of the 2018 Media Subject Award, was the Senior School Arts Captain in 2018 and won the 2017 Science Talent Search Photography competition. She was also the top SCG Media student, scoring an outstanding Study Score of 43 in her VCE exam. “I find that the Arts really allows people to explore their style in a really interesting way,” Elaf said. “I feel that the open-ended nature of both media and the Arts is quite inspiring especially [in] the way it prompts you to look at objects and [your] surroundings in a different perspective.”

Speaking about Elaf’s achievement, Head of Creative Arts, Cynthia Drossinis said, “Elaf has been a student of mine for the past three years. As soon as I saw her work in Year 10 Art, I knew she was capable of achieving an outstanding result. “Not only does she have natural artistic ability, but she is also an exceptionally hard worker. Elaf is visionary and knows exactly what is required to bring her artistic visions to life.” Elaf’s Media teacher, Toly Sawenko said, “Media crosses the bounds of forms in an ever more diverse and complex society. [2020] understandably brought about more challenges than a media student could see, however, the fundamentals were still true. Can I make a film? – Yes. Can I plan for it? – Yes. Can I adapt my idea to the circumstances? – Yes. “By reminding ourselves of these selfevident truths, the chance to aspire for greatness was still within reach.

"This focus on the students and their infinite creativity to solve problems no matter how difficult the conditions, was sunlight in the storm. I would like to congratulate Elaf and all her previous SCG staff who gave her the belief and the drive that she was indeed capable of true excellence.” Elaf’s goal is to pursue her Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design at RMIT and a career in Interior Design. “I always had an interest in the Arts and I am glad to have had the teachers to encourage me, which ultimately led to my passion for it.” Recycled will showcase in the 2021 Top Designs exhibition at Melbourne Museum later this year.

Elaf is visionary and knows exactly what is required to bring her artistic visions to life.”