The Carramar campus annual art exhibition Fusion opening night on Tuesday 5 November was buzzing with excitement as students from Pre-Primary through to Year 12 were recognised for their artistic, design and technology achievements.
Among the evening’s highlights was the prestigious Maria Bowers Award, presented to Year 12 student Chloe Baker in recognition of her exceptional dedication and talent in the visual arts.
Read about all our student winners here
The evening’s centrepiece was a captivating installation, The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party: An Exploration of Wonderland through Art, which invited guests into a reimagined Wonderland. The room overflowed with vibrant, whimsical elements—mad hats, delicate teapots, clay sculptures of cakes, cupcakes, and other enchanting foods, alongside fantastical creatures and unexpected aliens.
Students from each year level embarked on a creative journey into Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, with inspiration drawn from Carroll’s beloved storybooks and modern cinematic adaptations, including those by visionary filmmaker Tim Burton. Each class interpreted Wonderland’s surreal universe through diverse artistic media, resulting in a collaborative installation that showcases both individual talent and collective imagination.
Here’s a glimpse at the wonder each year group brought to life:
Pre-Primary: Our youngest artists crafted charming cups and spoons, capturing the playful spirit of the Mad Hatter’s tea party and immersing them in the joy of imaginative expression.
Year 2: These students took a sweet approach, designing colourful cupcake sculptures that reflect the enchanting treats of Wonderland.
Year 4: Inspired by Wonderland’s whimsical creatures, they created intricate insect artworks, blending creativity with a respect for nature’s beauty.
Year 5: Bringing humour and character, Year 5 crafted a variety of Mad Hatter’s hats, each one unique and eccentric, embodying the playful essence of Wonderland.
Year 7: These students brought a sense of surrealism with slab cakes and pies that appear both dreamlike and delectable, adding a touch of humour to the installation.
Year 9: Showcasing advanced techniques, Year 9 contributed reflective mosaic mirrors and intricate paper sculptures, capturing Wonderland’s layered mysteries and curious shapes.
Year 10: Their whimsical, gravity-defying teapots reflect skill and creativity, bringing a sophisticated touch to the installation.
The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party installation is a celebration of our students’ talent, imagination, and ability to reinterpret classic themes in fresh, engaging ways. It is a journey through Wonderland that bridges classic literature with innovative, youthful expression—a true highlight of this year’s Fusion exhibition.
This year, the Principal’s Acquisition Award for primary was proudly awarded to Alex Jones from Year 6, recognising his outstanding talent and contribution to the exhibition. At the secondary level, Year 12 student Tiya Shah received the award for her exemplary work (right), showcasing her dedication and creativity in the visual arts. In Design and Technology Isabella Mattes received the award for her hours of hard work and dedication to create a large mirror made from individual layers of wood glued together and painted with a deck of cards design.
View the full photo gallery here thanks to CSmith Photography
Thanks to Joanna Walden, Teacher Visual Art for this story.