Of course, many of the works were inescapably teenage. But that is to be expected. It seems like everyone who does some kind of Basquiat emulation gets into Art Express. The markers seem to like 'contentious' issues too. Immigration, migration, the Vomit generation. It just depends on how well you can pull it off. However opposed I am to "female body image, induced by the media" (spews - no pun intended) and "search for self-identity" (gouges eyes out) and other stereotypical adolescent themes, it's really obvious how much WORK went into the showcased pieces. I appreciate process.
I saw the exhibitions at COFA and the NGA. The curatorial theme at COFA was something along the lines of "works which challenge or question society / art." There were a few pieces there I really liked. Going by my bad memory, there was one about an Asian nerd (not kidding!) It was a collection of photographs with text, so it kind of ran like a comic book. The scenes involved the 'Asian nerd' playing spin the bottle with covers of TIME magazine and having lunch with portraits of Chinese leaders. I liked it because it was obvious that the artist who made it didn't just do so with the markers in mind. If you can have fun AND get good marks, that's just ace.
At NGA my stand-out favourite was Aoifie Milson's piece, 'Then my mother replied: What does it mean?'. It was, in my opinion, the best example of a well-rounded Body of Work that I have ever seen in Art Express. I kind of wanna be best friends with her art. She embraced her eccentricity and it paid off. Try and see it in real life. It will probably blow your brains out of your skull. In a good way.
I also liked the film Rabbit and Me, very beautiful cinematography. The sculpture 'Birds of a Feather' had a lovely narrative feel to it and was conceptually strong too. Also, the statement of intent was unassuming, which was refreshing. Markers must get sick of buzz words and name-dropping.