Catherine Norton’s work is tops. 78666 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By VANESSA CHIRCOP
WHEN Catherine Norton was completing VCE last year, she never thought her hard work would end up in the National Gallery of Victoria.
But the Seabrook resident’s photo animation was selected to be part of the Top Arts 2012 exhibition opening this week.
Now in its 18th year, Top Arts 2012 will display over 60 works by 54 students from schools from across Victoria.
Catherine said her piece started as a series of photographs of members of her family that took on a life of their own once she put them to her computer, edited them and got them to tell a story through animation.
“It took a while,” she said, “but my teacher was really helpful.”
The former Mount St Joseph’s student said she was surprised and excited to learn her piece had been selected but not as excited as her family who are, after-all, the stars of her show.
The 18-year-old deferred her university studies at RMIT this year to try out working as a flight attendant.
“It’s something I always wanted to try, I’ll start my course at RMIT next year.”
“I like art, not so much drawing and painting but things on the computer and photography.
“I’ve always got the camera out.”
The pieces in this year’s exhibition range from traditional printmaking, to a number of drawings, paintings, photographs and three-dimensional works including disused television screens and an architectural dress which folds into a backpack.
Top Arts coordinating curator Merren Ricketson said Top Arts is an exhibition of ideas.
“This year’s works show an extremely high level of experimentation, imagination and conceptual development,” Ms Ricketson said.
Top Arts 2012 will be on display at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Federation Square from 22 March to 15 July 2012. Entry is free.
