Art exhibition bursting with young talent

‘I wish I could give her a hug’: How this icon spurred a Yangan up-and-coming artist

BURST WITH RADIANT TALENT”: Morgan Gander with her award-winning artwork.

AS THE saying goes a picture is worth a thousand words, but Warwick artist Morgan Gander is happy for hers to spell out one – radiance.

The 19-year-old became fascinated by actor Marilyn Monroe in Year 11 after basing an art piece of hers on Elton John’stribute Candle in the Wind.

From there, Morgan started watching more and more of Monroe’s movies and soon became captivated.

So much so that the icon became the inspiration for Morgan’s drawing, Radiant, which took home the top prize at the Warwick Art Gallery’s recent Burst 3 Youth Art Exhibition.

Surprisingly, Morgan’s piece did not take cues from Monroe’s more famous iconography, instead choosing photos from early modelling days.

“Looking at a lot of her pictures, I really appreciated pictures from 40s because those earlier ones were before she developed a sexy image,” Morgan said.

“She was a very cute girl-next-door type and a lot happier.

“I find that shows through a lot more in those photos, she beams, she’s absolutely beautiful. I feel very strongly about her happiness.”

The actor’ struggle with depression and mental illness was something which had also prompted the artist’s strong attachment to the star.

“When I look back, she’s someone I wish I could have known. I wish could have given her a hug, ” Morgan said.

The award-winning project was a perfect example of creating from the heart.

Rushing to put on finishing touches the morning of the competition’s deadline, Morgan says the artistic process was different from usual.

“I don’t really think too deeply about most things, I only think too deeply about Marilyn,” she said.

“I’m not much for deep meaning.

“It’s a lot less stressful than churning something out that only you can understand, I prefer to create things that are visually pleasing.”

Entering the art world at 11, Morgan had been encouraged by her artistic family to enter the gallery’s exhibitions.

“My parents are quite good at art, they enjoyed it in high school and they’ve been very encouraging in what I do and motivate me to keep going to this point,” she said.

“They can appreciate the effort it takes.”

Morgan’s sister had also got into the crafty side.

“It definitely runs in the family,” she said.

Winning an encouragement, commendation and now overall prize at the showcase, Morgan was amazed to see how she had grown in her passion over the years, something she attributed to the opportunity itself.

“The exhibition shows kids they can actually create something, and that it will be noticed and appreciated,” she said.

“ A lot of people think art is stuffy old critics with turtleneck s and wine glasses, thinking everything is crap, but it’s good to put your art into a gallery and have it up to critique.

“When you’re creating, you only know what you think. It’s important to have someone else see it.”

The exhibition runs until December 21.

BURST youth art winners:

Overall Winner:

Morgan Gander

Commendation Awards:

Sarah Muller – Beat

Sophie Follett (pictured above right) – Blossom

Iggy King -Changing Perspectives the Gold behind the Gold

Charlee McNatty – City Scenes

Ellen Jackson – Sands of Time

Encouragement Awards;

Lee Heywood – Anzacs

Sophie Waples – Tom Holland

Sarah Henry (pictured above left)– A Tranquil Path

Emily Lane – Where I’d Rather Be

Treshawne Achari – Unity in Diversity

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