Students rise up with inspiring WA artist

Students rise up with inspiring WA artist

03 July 2023

Events and initiatives Public school life

A former student and renowned artist, graphic designer and photographer, has returned to her high school to inspire others through a creative workshop.

Students from Hedland Senior High School recently participated in a five day art workshop with artist Bobbi Lockyer.

Bobbi Lockyer and students in classroom workshop.

Bobbi is a proud Ngarluma, Kariyarra, Nyulnyul and Yawuru artist and is a former student of Hedland Senior High School. Bobbi is also a well-known artist and advocate for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

She is also the winner of the 2023 National NAIDOC Week Poster Competition.

The 14 students, from different year groups, participated in the workshop that was part of the school’s Rise Up initiative, that encourages students to achieve individual improvement and celebrate their achievements.

Students had to apply, a process that included answering multiple questions about what motivates them, why they wanted to work with Bobbi on the workshop project and submitting previous artwork that they had done.

The workshops involved learning art techniques from Bobbi and collaborating on the final design for a sensational wall mural.

Bobbi and students painting the wall mural.

Hedland Senior High School Rise Up coordinator, Claire Roberts, said it was a great opportunity for students to hear about Bobbi’s journey who helps them to link with their artistic passion.

“Bobbi was keen to come back and work with students who had an artistic passion to inspire them and show them creative abilities,” she said. 

Read more, and watch the video, about Bobbi’s incredible artwork and inspiration for her National NAIDOC Week Poster ‘For Our Elders’ on the NAIDOC website.