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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

The Joy Of Life, 2002

by Janelle McKay

The Joy Of Life, 2002

synthetic polymer/mixed media on board
45 x 60 cm
Year 11, Daramalan College, Canberra

Life is an amazing concept.
If we can find joy in the mere experience of living, then what happy souls we would be.
Our lives are like flowers,
We are warmed by the sun,
Nourished by the rain,
As we grow more we face challenges,
Which can hurt but ultimately make us stronger.
Then, in time, we rise up closer and closer to the glory of the sun.
For me flowers are a representation of joy and life.
This is what I have tried to express in my painting.

Headspace 3

Related information

Jeremy, 2001 by Sarah Cocker
Jeremy, 2001 by Sarah Cocker
Jeremy, 2001 by Sarah Cocker
Jeremy, 2001 by Sarah Cocker

Headspace 2

Previous exhibition, 2001

A dynamic young people's art exhibition, Hearts/Heads: Headspace II explored portraiture, produced by students from year 7 to year 12
Checkered Past, 2003 by Alex Epoff
Checkered Past, 2003 by Alex Epoff
Checkered Past, 2003 by Alex Epoff
Checkered Past, 2003 by Alex Epoff

Headspace 4

Facing Memory

Previous exhibition, 2003

Facing Memory: Headspace 4 provides us with valuable insights into the thoughts, creative processes and art-making practices of secondary students from Year 7 to Year 12 from sixty-two schools in the Australian Capital Territory, regional New South Wales and Victoria
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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