Exhibition Spotlight: IB DP Visual Arts Class of 2026
We are thrilled to celebrate the recent exhibition of our Year 13 Visual Arts students. This year’s showcase is a profound exploration of the intersection between personal identity, societal pressure, and environmental responsibility.
Spanning a diverse range of media, from traditional oil painting and textiles to digital animation and sculpture, these five artists invite us to look deeper at the world and our unique place within it.
The Artists & Their Visions
This year’s IB DP Visual Arts exhibition is a profound exploration of the intersection between personal identity, societal pressure, and environmental responsibility. Through a diverse range of media, from traditional oil painting and textiles to digital animation and sculpture, these five artists invite us to look deeper at the world and our place within it.
Gwyneth presents a confrontational body of work reflecting on womanhood and systemic oppression. Drawing parallels between the objectification of women and the destruction of the environment, her exhibition uses striking visual contrasts between vibrant colors and monochrome photography. From Andy Warhol-inspired portraits to garments made of trash bags, Gwyneth’s work challenges societal expectations and encourages viewers to reflect on their own complicity in cycles of consumption.
Rooted in her Japanese-Australian heritage, Karina’s exhibition explores identity as a fluid and evolving construct. Her journey moves from introspective self-portraits to themes of collective female empowerment and cultural belonging. By reinterpreting traditional icons, such as Hokusai’s Great Wavethrough needle-felting, Karina creates a dialogue between feminine strength, heritage, and the modern self, showing that identity is "stitched, painted, and layered" into being.
Sammi’s work investigates the interconnectedness of humanity and nature. Using rich textures and layered paint to symbolize the complexity of the self, she guides the audience from personal introspection to a collective consciousness. Her vibrant depictions of endangered birds and the use of eco-friendly fabrics raise urgent questions about plastic overuse and environmental degradation, leaving the viewer with a lingering sense of responsibility for the world we inhabit.
Katie’s exhibition traces a journey from internal pressure to environmental empathy. Using water as a central metaphor for emotional balance, her work utilizes the fluidity of acrylics to capture shifting identities. Her pieces, such as Ceaseand I Will End Until the Day I Die, confront the viewer with the fragility of marine life and the ethics of animal testing, urging a transition from personal vulnerability to a broader ecological awareness.
Inspired by the natural world and science, Charlize views art as a dynamic mirror of identity. Her work features a versatile range of media, including digital animation and mobile sculpture, to illustrate the similarities between contemporary society and our natural roots. Through interactive elements like mirrors in her sculptures, she highlights how individual choices, specifically regarding endangered species and marine pollution, have global consequences.
We are incredibly proud of the dedication, technical skill, and emotional maturity shown by the Class of 2026. Their work reminds us that art is not just a visual medium, but a powerful tool for advocacy and self-discovery.
Special thanks to all who visited the gallery to support our student-artists!
