Passionate and talented musical theatre performer Gemma Barker-Tomkins was pleasantly surprised her series of nine still life paintings of fruit were nominated and selected for HSC showcase ARTEXPRESS.
“I am really grateful to Ms Veljanovski and the entire art department and all of the teachers who have been so encouraging and supportive,” Gemma said.
“This year I have had a lot of difficulties and challenges in my personal life. My mentor Dr Dennett passed away. I am grateful I got to spend time with him, and did know him. My mother had a number of hospital visits. It was a really rough time.
“In class, Ms Veljanovski was so encouraging. She always worked out something we could do, even if it was to talk to friends, go on walks, or work on backgrounds. It made the art studio a safe space, so I let myself push and challenge myself. I was overwhelmed, but I knew she would support me.”
Gemma said she created each painting by imagining being in the kitchen of a kind person who was preparing the fruit for pies and salads, about to invite friends to visit.
Gemma was also pleased to achieve 46 out of 50 for Italian Extension, and 96 out of 100 for French beginners.
“Professor Casu was also amazing. There were only two of us in her Italian Extension class and we met on Monday mornings. She kept telling me I could do well. We had coffees and breakfasts. It was like meeting up with friends. Delphine did even better than I did.
“Miss Joseph was incredible with Beginners French.
“Most of my successes this year have been due to my teachers, so supportive and encouraging. I am so grateful.”
Gemma is well known to the IGS community for her strong performances as Miss Honey in Matilda from 2021, Mrs Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 2022, Alice in The Addams Family in 2023, and soloist in the Salon de Kabarett and Vive la Révolution! anniversary concert at the ICC in 2024.
Gemma, who has been coming to IGS since she was a baby at her brother’s parent teacher meetings and officially began at the School in Preschool, hopes to pursue a career in musical theatre.
She has been offered early entry to UTS to study Communications Journalism and International Studies, and will keep up singing and dancing lessons and attending auditions.
Gemma’s paintings, six in monochrome – usually just the first layer of a painting – and three in colour, incorporating three layers but bringing in all Gemma learnt about form and light, are expected to be on display at the New England Regional Gallery in Armidale later in 2025.
Best of luck to you, Gemma, and to the entire Class of 2024. We are cheering for you.
View other IGS 2024 HSC Highlights.
