Artists from The West Australian Pulse 2022 have revealed personal stories in The West’s YouTube video series

Insight into a young artist’s creative process and the often deeply moving story behind their work makes for a compelling experience, more so when you can hear from them directly in their own words.

The West Australian’s new YouTube video series, featuring 14 artists from The West Australian Pulse 2022, enables viewers to do just that, whether you missed out seeing this year’s exhibition at the Art Gallery of WA in person before it closed in July, or want to learn more about the personal stories behind the Year 12 visual arts graduates artworks.

AGWA director Colin Walker says it is an emotional experience to watch young people reveal so much about themselves and their work in these videos.

“Hearing their words adds a significant layer to the visual impact of the works of art in the Pulse exhibition,” Walker adds.

“There is so much that I’ve taken from these videos — particularly a sense of hope for the future. The insights offered up so generously in these videos are powerful, articulate, thoughtful and passionate.

“As an annual exhibition, The West Australian Pulse captures the concerns, issues and joys of our young artists in that year. It’s a yearly dip into what young people think and feel, and to have this captured and preserved in such a powerful and dynamic way adds depth and legacy to the Pulse exhibition.”

Series producer Kate Ryan guided The West Australian team, forever capturing these stories on camera, which involved filming the art at AGWA and organising the interviews across three studio sessions.

Ryan explains how some of the artists did not, understandably, want to be filmed and rather just let their art do the talking for them.

“It was actually a privilege to speak to these artists about their life, work and experiences. Telling people’s stories is what I love, and to be able to talk to them about the process, get a sense of their creativity and speak to them about their hopes for the future, it was pretty inspiring.

“I actually learned a lot about art and the process of creating it, which was unexpected.”

While it can be challenging to talk about deeply personal issues in front of a camera, it is evident Ryan helped the students feel safe and comfortable enough to express themselves during these raw and, at times, humorous interviews.

“I hope they see just how much effort and vulnerability these young people have bravely showcased — not only in their art, but in speaking to us in front of a camera, revealing their vulnerabilities,” she says.

“It’s had overwhelming positive responses, which I’m really happy to see because these amazing young people have really put themselves out there.”

Featured artists range from Finnity McHoull speaking about her mental health journey, which inspired Candy, an oil on canvas representing the loss of innocence by the replacement of candy with prescription medication, to Sophie Smith’s Holding On, a sleeping bag with stitched on fabric taken from clothes belonging to her dad, who took his own life at the start of 2020.

“Grief isn’t a linear process,” Smith says in her video.

“I have been coming to Pulse for so long and every year I’m so excited to see all the artworks and it was always in the back of my mind, but I didn’t want to have my heart set on being in the exhibition.

“Being selected was such an honour. Now, looking back, I wouldn’t not do a personal piece because it was really important for me.”

Tanami Dundas-Steedman opens up about the domestic violence in her house while growing up that inspired her diptych, Home, while Noa Williams describes how he and his art teacher were “frothing out” when hearing the news his artwork, Animals, Animals, We Are All Animals, inspired by a song by Aussie punk band Mini Skirt, had been selected.

Not only was this year’s curated showcase the 30th anniversary of the Pulse exhibition, it also saw The West Australian come on board as the exhibition’s major sponsor and a renaming to The West Australian Pulse.

Walker says while Pulse has always been one of AGWA’s most popular exhibitions, the increased reach and awareness from the partnership made it an even greater success this year.

“The last couple of years have been challenging for AGWA, for us all, and it was heartwarming to see audiences return for this loved exhibition,” he says.

“The opportunity to provide a platform for the voices of our young people is one of the driving reasons for this exhibition.

“The video series exceeded our expectations, and we know it will continue to live as a valuable resource for aspiring Pulse exhibitors.”

The West Australian Pulse is a year-round operation and the AGWA team is already working on the entry process and judging portal that will open mid-September for the 2023 exhibition.

Keep informed by signing up to receive the Learning Artmail at artgallery.wa.gov.au/form/newsletter-subscription.

View The West Australian Pulse 2022 video series at youtube.com/thewestaustraliannews.