Congratulations to Year 10 student Simone Puddle who was selected for the Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art's Artist in Residence program. This is a highly selective program run by Queensland's Department of Education and Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) with only 25 places available across the state. To apply, students had to be nominated by a teacher and submit an artwork in response to Ross Manning’s 2017 installation Spectra XIII. Simone's photographic piece, entitled Echo Chamber, was chosen as it demonstrated creative and critical thinking, effective communication of meaning and originality of response to the stimulus. Simone will attend a 3-day program full of art making activities, site-visits and artist/curator talks with the other 24 selected students at GOMA, led by professional artist Ross Manning. Manning is represented by galleries such as GOMA, Milani Gallery, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, the Institute of Modern Art and National Gallery Victoria. Congratulations Simone!

Artwork credits

Student:

Simone Puddle

Echo Chamber, 2025

Digitally manipulated photograph 

Inspired by Manning’s disconnection of light and fragmented reflection, my work investigates the experience of being a stranger to oneself. Cold blue light embodies rigorous self-scrutiny, while a soft golden glow hints at the warmth of a hidden self-yearning to be seen. The mirror functions not as a reflection but as a barrier, emphasizing distance from self-recognition. Echoing Manning’s contrast of stark gallery walls and exposed wiring with warm light on timber floors, I guided viewers to encounter blue before yellow, using light to challenge perception and merge personal introspection with an immersive visual journey.

Stimulus:

Ross Manning Australia QLD b.1978 

Spectra XIII 2017 

Coloured Fluorescent tubes, oscillating fans, wires, wood, cables 

Installed dimensions variable 

Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art  

Annabel Simmonds

Leader of Learning - Visual Art