11 October 2021
Sharing her culture through her artwork, Governor Stirling Senior High School Year 12 student Shannon Walding is among 85 up-and-coming artists to have their talents featured in a selective online collection.
The proud Nanda Yamatji woman was a finalist in the 2021 Young Originals Exhibition by the Western Australian Secondary School Executives’ Association (WASSEA), delivered in partnership with the Sangora Education Foundation, Edith Cowan University – School of Arts and Humanities, and the Department of Education.
Governor Stirling Senior High School Year 12 student Shannon Walding with her artwork Sea Turtle.
The online exhibition celebrates visual arts programs delivered across Western Australian public schools and the talents of young artists and designers. A total of 235 entries were received this year from city and country schools.
Shannon’s acrylic on board artwork “Sea Turtle” references her cultural heritage of the Nanda tradition of sourcing foods from the oceans near Kalbarri. The blue represents the Kalbarri waters and white represents ocean life which sustains us.
“I feel extremely honoured to be one of the few students chosen to have their work exhibited at Young Originals, amongst the many young and talented upcoming artists,” Shannon said.
“I’ve always loved art, and I feel grateful and supported in my artistic journey throughout my high school years by the specialist arts media program and the Follow the Dream program.
“I am proud to be a Nanda Yamatji woman, and to be sharing my culture with everyone through my passion.”