Tenison Woods College 2021 Year 12 Student Amelia Taylor has had a stroke of success with the young creative’s artwork chosen by the SACE (South Australian Certificate of Education) board for exhibition in its art show at Light Square Gallery.

Miss Taylor’s artwork “I want to hold your hand” was one of 118 artworks chosen from around 950 stage two visual art students in South Australia.

The young artist’s work will be on display from March 22 to April 22 at the Light Square Gallery in Adelaide.

Miss Taylor said a lot of credit went to her Year 12 art teacher Meghan Amoroso for further developing her skills.

“Meghan really helped with all aspects of my art from helping me think of new concepts and how to explore them, the research behind the piece and ways to visually express thoughts and feelings,” she said.

“She was the first one I heard the news from, and I was in shock before I called my mum, dad and aunty to share the exciting news.

“At the end of last year, we were told we could choose to submit one of our practicals for the art show so I chose ‘I want to hold your hand’ because I think it was visually and conceptually stronger than the other pieces I did earlier in the year.”

Miss Taylor said when she was doing experimentation as part of her folio, she kept coming back to the picture the painting was based off as a reference for practicing different styles.

The photo in question was one of her playing her late grandfather’s guitar for the first time since his passing.

“I wondered why I kept coming back to this photo but when I thought about the memory in that picture, I thought it could be a really strong moment to use because it was not just a significant moment for me, it was significant for everyone in my family as well especially my dad,” she said.

“The title of this piece is the name of a Beatles song, tying grandad, dad and I together through our love of The Beatles and music.

“The song title also has more meanings than a romantic connotation; it means connection, familiarity, love and loss, all themes that my painting explores.”