Matea Novak
Another young talent featured in ARTICULATE, the Parramatta Diocesan HSC Visual Arts Showcase, Matea Novak is set to make her mark on the entertainment industry as she begins a degree in Screen Design and Production at Macquarie University this year.
For Matea, the choice felt natural - an ideal way to combine her passions for visual arts, music and theatre into one dynamic vocation. The recent Catherine McAuley Westmead graduate describes herself as someone who thrives on hands-on creativity and finds deep satisfaction in the artworks she produces.
Studying Visual Arts for her HSC gave Matea a valuable outlet and a welcome escape from her academic work. She enjoyed the process of planning and creating her body of work, often singing while she worked. Her concept explored the many forms of love we experience in life, drawing inspiration from her friends, family, pets and even a Phoebe Bridgers song that reflects themes of love and loss.
Matea credits her success to focusing on one core artmaking skill, seeking regular feedback, avoiding comparisons with others and the steady encouragement of her mum, who always reminded her to stay on track. Despite her disciplined approach, she admits the journey wasn’t without its challenges. One memorable setback involved a fruit fly crash-landing onto her artwork, leaving an unremovable bloodstain.
With her work nominated for ARTEXPRESS, Matea has this advice to current Visual Arts students preparing for their HSC: “Set regular progress milestones, avoid last-minute rushes and don’t force creativity. Let your passion guide the process.”
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