Level 3 Art and Design student Elain Haf Walker recently showcased her work at @109 gallery and creative space on Bangor High Street. After seeing examples of her work on social media, @109 contacted 17-year-old Elain to ask if she would participate in their Future Stars launch day at the gallery in May.
In addition to giving Elain her first gallery experience, the exhibition provided a valuable opportunity to network with industry professionals. She also acquired new skills in preparing for the show. "I had to learn how to mount paintings and source high-quality prints of my work," said Elain.
Elain sold three prints and two original paintings on the night. "Seeing the red sticker at the end of the night gave me a rush of excitement knowing that someone appreciates my work enough to buy it," she added. The experience has motivated Elain to create more paintings. "It reassured me that this is what I want to do in the future," she explained. "I felt accomplished, as I had reached a milestone in my artistic journey."
As well as showcasing her creativity and skill, the artwork Elain selected for the exhibition reflected her own personal journey of healing following trauma. Elain said, "Taith Galar, my favourite painting in the exhibition, was inspired by a Pink Floyd song 'The Great Gig in the Sky' which expresses grief, trauma, and healing without words." "This piece reflects my personal journey through trauma, exploring how chaos can evolve into calm and self-acceptance. The process itself was therapeutic, mirroring how healing unfolds over time," she continued.
Elain attributes the confidence and artistic growth that resulted in her first exhibition to the support from her tutors at Coleg Menai. "Their feedback has helped me develop my techniques and experiment with ideas. They've also supported me to start believing in my own abilities and to push myself creatively," she said. "I struggled a lot in secondary school," continued Elain. "The only subject I really enjoyed was art but I always saw it as a hobby. I had no idea what I wanted to do in the future."
Starting the Level 3 Art and Design course at Coleg Menai set Elain on the path to a career in the creative industries. After researching different pathways during her second year at college, Elain now has her sights firmly set on a future in art therapy. "I want to help people express emotions that can be difficult to put into words through art."
Elain is now looking forward to studying art at Cardiff University this autumn with an unconditional offer under her belt. She has some wise words for anyone thinking of studying art at Coleg Menai. "Don't worry too much about making everything perfect," she said. "Stay open minded, don't be afraid to experiment with different styles and techniques, and make the most of the support and feedback from tutors because it really helps you improve and build confidence in your work."
Well done Elain on your first exhibition, what a fantastic achievement. We look forward to following your career in the future!
