The student exhibition, to be held on Monday, November 26-30, will feature a variety of drawings, paintings, prints and pyrography (wood burning).

The artworks were created by Certificate III and IV Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts students.

TAFE NSW Nowra Visual Arts Teacher Warwick Keen said he as proud four graduate students had been recognised in the Parliament of NSW Aboriginal Art Prize in recent years.

“Exhibitions like the NSW Parliament Art Prize and our own Black Cockatoo Art Award engage the community in a positive way. It is also a way for artists to develop professionally and personally,” Mr Keen said.

“I’m also pleased to see, a few former students who have gone on to work in the arts industry and become notable artists, including one who became a TAFE NSW teacher.”

TAFE NSW Nowra student Margaret Walker from Bomaderry was excited to be taking part in her first exhibition.

“I didn’t think I could paint. I never knew I had this in me until I joined the class,” she said.

“This course and my teachers have helped develop my art skills but they have really lifted my confidence. I’m proud to show my first work.”

Ms Walker has a developing palette of skills she can now call on to help her art stand out.

“While studying this qualification I’ve learned how to paint silhouette, I can now work with different painting mediums like acrylic, water paints, charcoal and graphite,” she said. 

“I’ve also learned how to paint using water colour techniques that create a ghost affect, so you can see through the subject, but they still have detail.”

Ms Walker used this technique in her series of work titled Rabbit Proof Fence, which tells the story of her family’s history.

The Black Cockatoo Art Award is open to Aboriginal artists throughout the region. Prizes include $1000 for first, $500 for second, $300 for third as well as encouragement awards.