21 Feb 2025
Year 12 Visual Arts student Paige Sergi has been hard at work sewing possum skins together to make a traditional Aboriginal cloak for her major work.
Under the guidance of Art teacher Sarah Dollin and ALEC teacher Andree Bellamy, Paige has been carefully researching the correct way to approach the project. She has sourced the possum skins from Tasmania and is liaising with the local Aboriginal community about the best way to tell her story through the medium.
Paige drew inspiration for the project after working with Auntie Cheryl Penrith on two possum skin cloaks for the school in 2023. She will add her own artistic flair to the cloak but is still unsure whether to use paint or use traditional burning to make her mark. Luckily, through contacts at the ALEC, Paige has been able to get in touch with Uncle Mick Lyons from Sandhilll Artefacts and painter Carolyn Williams who will be able to best advise her on technique and Aboriginal iconography.
“I’ll put my story and my mum’s story on it,” explains Paige, “Eventually, I’ll pass it onto my kids and grandkids and they can add their story to it.”
The young artist will have until August to complete her major work, but has already made an admirable start on the piece. Good luck Paige!