By CASEY NEILL
KEYSBOROUGH student Jake O’Donnell has put a unique spin on conception, using layered images of naked men.
The artwork earned the Cranbourne North resident a place in this year’s TopArts exhibition, among 49 pieces selected from more than 3000 submissions from students across Victoria.
He created Conception, a series of three works, while studying Studio Art in Year 11 at Haileybury last year.
“It’s a contemporary biological take on the process of conception,” he said.
“I’ve decided to take the idea of genesis from the Bible, where Adam is supposedly created in and of himself from the earth, and look at how conception might be if it’s a solely masculine process.
“Everything is made using only a nude male body.
“I got a nude male mode to curl up as sperm cell and egg cell.”
Jake then manipulated the images and created transparent layers.
“They look more like cells under a microscope,” he said.
“It seems to be an abstract representation, but under closer inspection you can see the people.
“The photo shoots themselves were time-consuming and difficult.
“When I took the photos for those works I had not been using artificial lightings. I had to find a skylight.”
He created hundreds of images and used trial and error to reach his finished product.
“It’s actually really surreal. I definitely consider it a huge artistic triumph in terms of my practice,” he said.
“It’s been an uplifting experience, receiving recognition for all the hard work I’ve done throughout the year.
“It’s really handy as a feather in my cap when I apply for uni.”
He hopes to study Fine Arts at the Victorian College of the Arts but isn’t sure about his career path.
“I’d like to be an amalgamation writer, practicing artist and photographer,” he said.
StArt Up: Top Arts 2014 is on display at the National Gallery of Victoria Studio, Flinders Street, Federation Square, until 20 July.
