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We are proud to celebrate three of our 2024 Visual Arts ATAR students whose works have been selected for The West Australian Pulse 2025 – a prestigious annual exhibition at the Art Gallery of WA that showcases the creativity, concerns and reflections of young artists across the State.

Now in its 33rd year, this year's Pulse exhibition features 61 artworks by Year 12 graduates from 37 schools, offering insight into the themes and issues that shape the lives of young people today. The exhibition explores a diverse range of subjects from self-identity and cultural heritage to mental health, loss and environmental consciousness – all expressed through bold and thoughtful artistic practice.

Ashleigh Smith’s sculptural installation Mindmap is composed of clear, acrylic spheres, each filled with personal memories – from childhood artworks and photographs to mementos of joy and grief. Suspended together to form a larger orb the work is a psychological self-portrait that questions how memory and experience shape our sense of self. Drawing from her studies in Psychology and inspired by Yhonnie Scarce’s hanging installations, Ashley presents the idea that our identity is not defined by fixed traits, but by the many moments – big and small – that make up our lived experience.

Hina Saegusa’s textile work reflects her journey of cultural connection, blending elements of her Japanese and Australian heritage in a beautifully constructed kimono. Influenced by her grandmother’s traditional weaving and inspired by the natural beauty of Australian flora, Hina incorporated banksia motifs and used eucalyptus eco-dyeing on the interior silk. The result is a work that speaks to the harmony found in embracing multiple identities and the quiet strength that comes from honouring your cultural roots while forging your own path.

In a deeply personal exploration of mental health and self-acceptance, Jodie Rankin's textile piece inspired by the Edvard Munch quote “from my rotting body, flowers shall grow, and I am in them and that is eternity” uses rust-dyeing, embroidery and embellishment to reflect her experience with anxiety. Influenced by the work of WA artist Susan Flavell and the symbolism of Dutch vanitas paintings, her process-oriented approach allowed her to channel complex emotions into something tangible and layered. The work becomes both a visual metaphor and a meditative act, acknowledging the fragility of life while celebrating the growth that can emerge through personal challenges.

We extend our congratulations to Ashleigh, Hina and Jodie on this outstanding recognition, and look forward to seeing their work on display as part of Pulse 2025. Their inclusion is a testament not only to their technical skill and creativity, but also to their courage in using art as a vehicle for reflection, connection and expression.

The West Australian Pulse 2025 exhibition will be open to the public at the Art Gallery of Western Australia from 3 May – 31 August 2025.