New wave of talent

A Wodonga teenager has showcased his artistic ability with a series of artwork on display at the Wodonga Aquatic Venue and Exercise Space (WAVES).

Alex Leeworthy was a successful artist in the council’s 2021-2022 Ephemeral Arts Program where artists display their work in three custom-made lightboxes located in high visibility spaces.

The program aims to create inspiring temporary public art that supports community identity and increases cultural vibrancy – creating the unexpected is the key objective.

Alex’s art design for the lightboxes, located on the entrance wall at WAVES, is based on his imaginative and creative characters which he draws using digital technology.

The concept for his artwork is based on his story, as follows;

A giant lady who can cause tsunamis on a bad hair day, and her two formal fish headed henchmen.

Some say she can be found where the sun sinks down into the sea on the horizon, or in the deepest part of the ocean floor trying to keep Karl and Karl (the two fish-headed henchmen) in line while protecting her domain.

Though, who knows maybe you’ll see her next time you’re at the beach, pushing surfers off their boards or filling the moats in sandcastles while both of the two fish-headed henchmen try desperately to avoid the fishermen.

Alex’s mum is an artist and the sixteen-year-old student at Wodonga Flexible Learning Centre said he has been creating artwork since he could first hold a pencil.

“I enjoy creating characters and using technology to see my drawings come to life,” he said.

His water theme installation has caught the eye of the many visitors to WAVES and will be on display until June next year.

“As soon as I told my family, they drove in their car to have a look at it,” Alex said.

“My art teacher (Linda Fish) is one of my biggest supporters and she has been mentioning my artwork to just about everyone she sees.”

Alex has worked on other art projects including completing an outside public art commission for the Retro Youth Cafe where his work is located at the entrance to the building.

He has also designed cards and merchandise which can be purchased from the Yackandandah Post Office Tourist Information Centre.

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