Banksia, an exhibition of contemporary photography by Melbourne artist Atong Atem.
Banksia, an exhibition of contemporary photography by Melbourne artist Atong Atem, opened in conjunction with the awards presentations for this year’s PLC Sydney Students’ Photographic Prize on Thursday 27 April.
Although unable to attend in person due to family commitments, Atong provided the Gallery with a piece to camera introducing the acclaimed 2021 series of photographs to open the exhibition.
This year, students from PK to Year 12 were asked to respond to the theme ‘Generations : Culture and Connection’ and produce images that conveyed personal connections with culture and family. Students were encouraged to reflect visually on important stories, objects or rituals that are important across generations and bring us together.
Gallery visitors to the event were transfixed by musical entertainment provided by 5 Junior School soloists: Vera Zhang (Year 4), Lina Oh (Year 4), Elena Feng (Year 4), Clara Oh (Year 5) and Hannah Tsai (Year 6).
To begin the awards presentations, Art & Design Captain Anna Wang performed an Acknowledgement of Country. Head of Visual Arts, Ms Jo Knight, then welcomed the crowd of friends and family gathered before announcing this year’s award recipients.
Dr Burgis, with Anna Wang, then presented the awards. Highly Commended award recipients received a certificate and a $50 art supplies voucher, generously supported by PLC Sydney Parents & Friends’ Association. In the following sections the winners were:
Student Photography winners for 2024.
- Years Pre-Kindergarten to Year 1: Brianna Wu, Year 2, The Bird with Double Eyes
- Years 3 to Year 6: Camilla Curran, Year 6, Pasta Never Dies
- Years 7 & 8: Alexa Zizikas, Year 8, The Cross
- Years 9 & 10: Amelia Knight, Year 10, Jean Catherine Cornish
- Years 11 & 12: Jamie Ronis, Year 11, Celebration
- Transition: Caitlin Rhu-Lund, Year 9, Gung Gung and Me
The Overall Winner was then announced: Amelia Ong, Year 5, for her photograph Little girl meets an amanuensis.
Of the image, Amelia explained , ‘It tells the story of little girl wants to write a letter to her grand parents in China and so hires an amanuensis.’
Amelia received a $200 art supplies voucher, generously supported by PLC Sydney Parents & Friends’ Association. Congratulations, Amelia!
