Meet Max, a first-year student in the Bachelor of Creative Arts. Raised by an artist mother and a designer father, Max has been immersed in the world of art from an early age, shaping his interests and aspirations. Now majoring in Fine Art, Max is exploring the rich, diverse world of cross disciplinary art while aiming for a future as an artist.
Despite this creative upbringing, Max didn’t fully consider the arts until high school. His interest grew steadily, especially from Year 8 onwards. By the time he reached Year 12, his love for fine art had become more than just a hobby.
“I chose art because I’m really curious about a lot of different things. I like having a wide breadth of knowledge, and fine art gives you the ability to look at anything really, without locking yourself into one subject.”
This curiosity, combined with a significant academic achievement, solidified Max’s decision to pursue fine art. Early in Year 12, he earned a prestigious scholarship from the National Gallery of Australia. Candidates were required to create artwork and write an essay based on a given prompt to compete for the prestigious scholarship, which selects only two recipients from each state. After being awarded, the scholars flew over to Canberra, and Max found the experience not only validated his talents but also provided clarity on the direction of his future.
As an artist, Max’s artistic interests span multiple mediums, though he primarily focuses on painting and drawing. “I guess it would be right for me to say multimedia,” he reflects, “I try to bridge boundaries between video art and painting—mixing traditional mediums like oil painting with newer forms like video.” Whether it’s the tactile process of painting or the dynamic possibilities of video art, he thrives on the versatility and freedom that comes with his practice.
This experimentation and non-linear art style is similar to his Mother, whose work also defies easy categorisation. The creative interplay between Max and his Mum has even extended beyond the home studio with a collaboration on a joint exhibition, showcasing the unique connection between mother and son.
Adjusting to university life hasn’t been a huge leap for Max. In fact, he’s found the transition from high school to uni surprisingly smooth. “I thought it would be quite different, but it’s actually pretty similar, mindset-wise,” he reflects. The main challenge for him has been learning to meet university expectations, particularly when it comes to writing. “The writing side of things was a bit of a learning curve,” Max admits, “but once you get it, it’s pretty smooth sailing.” His course load has so far included a mix of practical studio work and theory-based units. He particularly enjoyed the hands-on nature of his studio classes, which allowed him to explore different forms of art like painting, sculpture, and printmaking.
Looking ahead, Max has his sights set on a career as a full-time artist as his true passion lies in creating art. He’s drawn to the intersection of visual art and music, specifically video art, and hopes to break into the music industry as a creator of music videos. Though he’s only in his first year, Max is already carving out a unique path for himself. His multidisciplinary approach allows him to explore his passions without being confined to a single medium. The influence of his creative upbringing, combined with his own artistic curiosity, has set the stage for a promising future.
