EMILY WILHELM

12 STUDIO ARTS

EASE

Coming into Year 12, off the back of 2020, I had a greater appreciation for the aspects of life that require no effort or manipulation in order to feel right. This concept led me to my overall theme for Units 3 and 4, ‘Ease’ as expressed in particular through comfort within familiar surroundings. To me, comfort has always been found in the water, as a place where one can let go of the everyday stresses of life and relax in an uncommonly natural and effortless way.

Artwork 1 entitled, ‘Exhale’, embodies this idea, depicting warm light reflecting on water. ‘Exhale’ represents all the long, summer days that ground you in the present and allow for a greater understanding of the easy simplicities in life. Quilting as an artform is significant to me due to my Nana having carefully crafted many quilts that are scattered throughout our family home. Through this artwork, I invite the audience to connect both the physical comfort of a quilt with the emotional joy of the ocean and each individual person’s ‘happy place’.

Artwork 2 entitled, 'A Wednesday' is a more realistic rendering of going to the beach with loved ones. My final composition for Artwork 2 was designed to allude to Artwork 1, as well as bring in a sense of human connection to the natural environment through the legs at the top of the frame. I believe that my artwork strongly communicates a sense of capturing the moment, with the composition unlike the traditional framing of the horizon. Through this I was able to formulate a truer representation of everyday life and furthermore an appreciation for the places, people and things we already have.